Travel Router Guide

Step 1: Get the Right Hardware

Use GL.iNet routers because they're easy to set up and come with WireGuard, the software we need for our VPN. For this guide, you need:

• Home Router: This will be left at home, connected to your internet modem.
• Option 1: GL-AX1800(Flint) ~$130
• Option 2: GL-MT6000(Flint 2) ~$180
• Travel Router: This is the router you bring when you travel and use to connect to local WiFi (AirBnb, Hotel, HotSpot)
• Option 1: GL-SFT1200 ~$40
• Option 2: GL-MT3000 ~$100
• Option 3: GL-AXT1800 ~$150

Note: The main difference in these are the capable internet speeds and processing power. I recommend just getting the most expensive ones (buy once, cry once). If you are on a budget then you can get the cheaper ones, your max internet speeds would just be slower.

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Step 2: Set Up the Home Router

1. Connect your Home Router to your internet modem with an ethernet cable. This could be a box from your internet company, like a DSL modem or an xFinity/ AT&T gateway. The ethernet cable should connect from an ethernet port on your internet modem to the WAN port on your new Home Router.
2. If you have a modem-router combo, set it to "bridge mode" so that the Home Router can take over. If that's not possible, don’t worry; we can handle it in the Port Forwarding Step.
3. Connect a device (like a laptop) to the Home Router’s Wi-Fi or with a cable. The WiFi Name should be on the back of your Home Router (something like: GL-AX1800-XXX) Open a web browser and go to 192.168.8.1 to log in using the default username and password that came with the router.
4. You should see a login page for your Home Router that looks like this: 
5. At this point you should be able to access the internet through your new Home Router. Trying to going to a website like google, if you cannot access the internet, check that your ethernet cable is correct or if your modem is having issues. 

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Step 3: Setting up your Wireguard VPN

• Once you are logged into your Home Router, navigate to VPN > WireGuard Server.

• Click on "Initialize WireGuard Server"

• I would recommend leave these settings at default unless you know what you are doing. Click Start.

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Step 4: Adding VPN Clients (Testing Phone VPN first)

This step is to connect a phone to your VPN. We will set up your phone first because it is easier to test your VPN this way.

• Go to VPN -> WireGuard Server -> Management and click Add a New User.

• Choose a name for this, since we are setting up your phone first. Use a name like "PhoneVPN"

• Go back to the Management Tab and click on the Config icon for the phone Client you just created. 

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Step 5: Set Up Port Forwarding on Your Modem/Router

Port forwarding is required to allow connections from the internet to your home network through your Home Router’s VPN. Here's how to set it up:

1. Log Into Your Internet Modem/Router:

   • IMPORTANT: You need to connect via WiFi/Ethernet to your modem, NOT the new GL iNet home router.
   • Open a web browser on a device connected to your home network.
   • Enter your modem/router's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or as listed on the modem/router itself).
   • Use the admin username and password provided by your ISP (or custom credentials if you’ve changed them).

2. Locate the Port Forwarding Settings:

   • Every modem/router interface is different, but you should look for a menu labeled Port Forwarding, Virtual Servers, or something similar.
   • If you have trouble finding it, refer to the modem/router’s user manual or search online for specific instructions.
   • Port Forwarding for AT&T modem
   • Port Forwarding for Verizon modem
   • Port Forwarding for Xfinity modem

3. Create a Port Forwarding Rule:

   • Add a new rule for WireGuard / Your new Home Router. Here’s the information you need:
     • Name: WireGuard (this is just for easy identification).
     • Port: 51820 (default WireGuard port).
     • Protocol: UDP (WireGuard uses UDP only). I'd recommend to do TCP also for more compatibility. (Use the same Port 51820)
     • IP Address: Enter your Home Router’s IP address (usually 192.168.8.1).
     • 
   • Save the settings and reboot your modem/router if needed.

4. Test the Connection Again:

   • Try reconnecting your phone to the VPN as described in Step 4 and recheck your IP address on icanhazip.com. If it now shows your home IP and you can browse the internet, port forwarding was successful!

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Step 6: Set Up the Travel Router to Use Your VPN

We will go back into the GL iNet Home Router and add a client for the Travel Router like we did for your phone. 

• Go to VPN -> WireGuard Server -> Management and click Add a New User.

• Now we will name this on something like "TravelRouter"

• Go back to the Management Tab and click on the Config icon for the TravelRouter Client you just created. 

Now, we will configure your Travel Router to use the VPN connection from your Home Router when you are away from home.

1. Connect to the Travel Router:

   • Power on your Travel Router and connect to its Wi-Fi network or via an ethernet cable.
   • Open a web browser and go to 192.168.8.1 to log into the Travel Router’s interface.
   • Enter the default username and password found on the device (or the password you set up).

2. Set Up WireGuard on the Travel Router:

   • In the Travel Router’s interface, navigate to VPN > WireGuard Client. Select Setup WireGuard Manually.
   • 
   • Enter the connection details (these are the same settings that we saved in a .txt file on the desktop).
   • 
   • Name the connection something like "HomeRouter"

• Then click Connect
• 

• Then on that same page you should see the status and the Up/Down info. If traffic is flowing it should be working, check that you can browse the internet and also check your IP on

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Step 7: Test the Travel Router and VPN with Phone HotSpot

Now that everything is set up, we need to test whether the VPN works with your Travel Router.

1. On your phone, disconnect from Wifi, disable the VPN, and enable HotSpot.

   • With your laptop connected to the TravelRouter, log into the travel router (should be 192.168.8.1). 
   • Connect to your phone's hotspot using the repeater option.
   • 

2. Check Your IP Address:

   • Open a web browser on the connected device and go to https://icanhazip.com/.
   • If the VPN is working correctly, the website should show the IP address of your home network (e.g., 55.55.555.555).
   • If the IP address is different or you can't access the internet, there may be a configuration / or port forwarding issue that needs to be revisited.
   • NOTE: You will need to test using another wifi or using mobile data. 

3. Verify Device Connectivity:

   • Ensure that all connected devices can browse the internet through the VPN.
   • Test additional devices (laptops, phones, etc.) to confirm everything is working as expected.

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If you encounter any issues:

• Recheck the configuration of the WireGuard client on your Travel Router.
• Make sure your modem/router's port forwarding settings are still correctly configured (sometimes modem settings can reset).
• Verify that you have entered the correct keys and IP addresses for your WireGuard connection.
• Depending on your Internet Service Provider, you may need to enable DDNS
• For help join our Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rSq2Hu4hrz