I need help here. I am hitting the wall. Please help a noob.

[lovan6]

I will post my configuration. I really need to get this going. I find this forum helpful and really appreciate the help of forum members.

It just happen that my wife and kids are complaining since I start messing their Internet and vpn connections for 2 1/2 days.

[kejianshi]

I'm not the authority on much of anything, but I'm pretty sure if someone sees a big error in the config they will point it out.

[Finger79]

@lovan6:

It just happen that my wife and kids are complaining since I start messing their Internet and vpn connections for 2 1/2 days.

Best practice is to not put a new setup into production until it's production-ready.  In other words, you can configure pfSense separately while your household still uses the Asus in production.  When the pfSense config is stable, you're reading to go live with a smooth transition.

[Finger79]

@lovan6:

Well as of today I decided to stop using my Pfsense box and decided to use back my Asus RT AC 87U with Expressvpn. It took me 2 1/2 straight days trying to figure out how to unblock Netflix and Amazon prime with Pfsense.

I'm confused.  You had it working but gave up anyways.

The policy-based routing firewall rule is just one rule, described above, and it would allow your Roku devices to be routed through ExpressVPN.  I fail to see what difficulty you are encountering or why you gave up when you were a few seconds from success.

[lovan6]

@Finger79:

@lovan6:

Well as of today I decided to stop using my Pfsense box and decided to use back my Asus RT AC 87U with Expressvpn. It took me 2 1/2 straight days trying to figure out how to unblock Netflix and Amazon prime with Pfsense.

I'm confused.  You had it working but gave up anyways.

The policy-based routing firewall rule is just one rule, described above, and it would allow your Roku devices to be routed through ExpressVPN.  I fail to see what difficulty you are encountering or why you gave up when you were a few seconds from success.

My main concern in going to Pfsense route is geolocation unblocking. The 3 major streaming company are getting tougher every day. It used to be a simple paid DNS service and your done. I have been tinkering routers for years starting from DD-WRT, Tomato to current Asus Merlin. Time has changed and I have to follow what is current.

Asus merlin firmware is so simple to use for an average guy like me but there are some limitations too when it comes to hardware. And this is the reason why I wanted to learn Pfsense because I have the freedom to do so.

I am no expert on things and it takes time to learn. for me its no pain no gain.

I will be posting some desktop configuration on ExpressVPN later so the community can take a look. including some problems I encounter.

[lovan6]

Ok I am back to pfsense today and decided to start with a clean slate by doing a factory restore on the GUI.

After doing the wizard, I proceed to install Expressvpn.


[lovan6]

Here are more shots Expressvpn config.


[lovan6]

I rebooted pfsense after configuring Expressvpn and vpn is up after reboot. I then proceed to System/General setup/ DNS Server settings. (see attachments). Next is Services /DNS Resolver/General Settings including    Services/DNS Resolver/Advanced Settings.

I did run DNS leaktest and it pass but I can not access some websites including Amazon (see attachment) and internet speed is slow. This is connected to Expressvpn.

I also try to install Pfsense package and its giving me error. I am currently on 2.3.5. Can not install 2.4.2 due to HPET error but let set that aside.

I did also check my ip location and its connected thru expressvpn result is Los Angeles location.


[lovan6]

I was really scratching my head. Next is to check my firewall settings (see attachment). On Firewall rules expressvpn i noticed it was empty.

I decided to click add on expressvpn firewall rules and this is how it looks like (see Attachement).

I noticed on Lan firewall lan did have some changes.


[lovan6]

This is my NAT outbound.


[lovan6]

Here are the results so far:

1. I am currently connected to my Local ISP and can be able to access sites.

2. ExpressVPN is up and connected but I am pretty sure I am not on vpn. Why? because I did check my ip location and since I am not on VPN DNS leak is the result.

3. I have not check my Roku streaming boxes yet because I am pretty sure it's going to be block.

Any suggestions guy?

[Finger79]

Your NAT rules look fine.  Here is a screenshot with some cosmetic edits. :P

The ISAKMP rules are unnecessary in my opinion and can be deleted.  The other two edits are just to make the Description more accurate.


[lovan6]

Attach are additional information if somebody wants to know. This is my current stats.


[Finger79]

@lovan6:

I was really scratching my head. Next is to check my firewall settings (see attachment). On Firewall rules expressvpn i noticed it was empty.

It should be empty.  The way pfSense firewall rules work is they apply to traffic coming into that interface.  So you probably do not want anyone coming into your home and pfSense router from the outside world through the ExpressVPN interface.

I would delete all firewall rules on the ExpressVPN interface and only use LAN rules.

[lovan6]

@Finger79:

Your NAT rules look fine.  Here is a screenshot with some cosmetic edits. :P

The ISAKMP rules are unnecessary in my opinion and can be deleted.  The other two edits are just to make the Description more accurate.

If I deleted ISAKMP rules, Is there any order on Mappings? or just leave it as is?

[Finger79]

Your DNS Server Settings (in General Setup) should be non-ExpressVPN DNS servers that your pfSense box will use if the ExpressVPN connection goes down.  It's for backup purposes only.

1.  Change the DNS servers to any public resolver of your choice.  OpenDNS, Level3, Verisign, Comodo, Google, etc.
2.  Change the Gateway to WAN instead of ExpressVPN.  (Yes, this is a DNS "leak" but only to be used by your pfSense box itself, not your LAN devices, and it's only used if your VPN fails.  It's a temporary backup setting.)

[Finger79]

@lovan6:

If I deleted ISAKMP rules, Is there any order on Mappings? or just leave it as is?

As is is fine.

[lovan6]

@Finger79:

@lovan6:

I was really scratching my head. Next is to check my firewall settings (see attachment). On Firewall rules expressvpn i noticed it was empty.

It should be empty.  The way pfSense firewall rules work is they apply to traffic coming into that interface.  So you probably do not want anyone coming into your home and pfSense router from the outside world through the ExpressVPN interface.

I would delete all firewall rules on the ExpressVPN interface and only use LAN rules.

Expressvpn firewall rules was originaly on Lan rules "Local_Subnets = Lan Traffic expressvpn" but I can not access websites. The only thing that work for me is to move it to Firewall/ Rules/ExpressVPN which resulted to no connection to VPN.

[Finger79]

@lovan6:

Expressvpn firewall rules was originaly on Lan rules "Local_Subnets = Lan Traffic expressvpn" but I can not access websites. The only thing that work for me is to move it to Firewall/ Rules/ExpressVPN which resulted to no connection to VPN.

I say again:  Your ExpressVPN interface rules should be completely empty, unless you want traffic coming INTO that interface, which I would guess is a solid "no."  Leave that whole interface rules blank.

Regarding the one rule you set up:  I thought you wanted to set up an alias for your three Roku devices.  It's unnecessary to really set up an alias for 192.168.1.0/24 since you can just put that directly in the firewall rule.

In fact, if you want your entire LAN subnet to go out through ExpressVPN, then it's not really necessary to have that rule in the first place.  Your ExpressVPN configuration should automatically pull routes.

[lovan6]

I followed your suggestions on the NAT outbound. I also deleted the Firewall/Rules/EXPRESSVPN and instead put back the Firewall/Rules/Lan.

I also change System/General /Setup as suggested. I was able to connect back to expressvpn but it resulted to a slow connections. some sites are not available. Is there a way to coorect this?

Also I am not in the process of setting up the Roku yet. I just want to make sure I won't have any problem with browsing. If connection is slow on browsing I think I can not be able to stream my Rokus.

I tinker on Interface/ExpressVPN. Under general Information, IPv4 Configuration Type = DHCP. this was the instruciotns by expressvpn. If I change from DHCP to NONE, I get faster browsing but I get disconnected from VPN.

I have not use any traffic shaper for the moment fyi.

I am providing some screenshots for your perusal.