Basic configurations shouldn’t be too stressful. When you get into large segmented networks that use routing protocols, then you’ll have some headaches. I think you’ll be fine.
But that opens a whole can of worms. You could go with something more tried and true, like Ike/IPsec, if your routers have that option. Usually that’s the way for firewalls, but it’s a bit hit and miss for routers.
Or you can go with something a bit more modern, like tailscale, wireguard, or zero tier. But then you need some way to put that on your NAS. I’m partial to zero tier, but there’s plenty of good options, even beyond what I’ve mentioned.
Researching this becomes a mine field without the right vocabulary, because having a “VPN” is such a broad definition that there’s a lot of commercial VPN solutions, designed to give you operational security when browsing the Internet, which are completely useless at securing traffic between computers on different LANs over the Internet. Services like PIA, NordVPN, surfshark, proton VPN, Express VPN… So many others. They’ll secure your traffic to the Internet itself, not between private locations connected by the Internet.
I don’t know what hardware you’re specifically using as a router at each location or what works with what. I know ubiquiti has some VPN features in their gateway products, and that could make quick work of the problem. Just food for thought I guess.
I’m planning on setting up a NAS, so I will be reading into networking aswell. Hopefully I won’t get to frustrated lol
Good luck.
Basic configurations shouldn’t be too stressful. When you get into large segmented networks that use routing protocols, then you’ll have some headaches. I think you’ll be fine.
Thanks!
Yes, the only tricky part for me, I think, will be setting up external access for my familiy.
I did wonder about security though. Is it possible to set this up in a way where my families and my own ISP don’t see what is being shared?
Oh yes. You’re taking about a VPN.
But that opens a whole can of worms. You could go with something more tried and true, like Ike/IPsec, if your routers have that option. Usually that’s the way for firewalls, but it’s a bit hit and miss for routers.
Or you can go with something a bit more modern, like tailscale, wireguard, or zero tier. But then you need some way to put that on your NAS. I’m partial to zero tier, but there’s plenty of good options, even beyond what I’ve mentioned.
Researching this becomes a mine field without the right vocabulary, because having a “VPN” is such a broad definition that there’s a lot of commercial VPN solutions, designed to give you operational security when browsing the Internet, which are completely useless at securing traffic between computers on different LANs over the Internet. Services like PIA, NordVPN, surfshark, proton VPN, Express VPN… So many others. They’ll secure your traffic to the Internet itself, not between private locations connected by the Internet.
I don’t know what hardware you’re specifically using as a router at each location or what works with what. I know ubiquiti has some VPN features in their gateway products, and that could make quick work of the problem. Just food for thought I guess.