Is there a way to create a VPN using my SuperHub?

ThePoundDollar · 5 Oct 2015 at 17:05

Ok so I've just moved into uni accommodation with Internet access, however to connect you must connect to the universities own VPN. Unfortunately steam, XBL and PSN are all blocked, or at least the ports are, so online gaming isn't possible. As you can imagine, this sucks.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to create a VPN using a router, namely a Virgin Media SuperHub. I have a basic idea how VPN's work, they basically act as the middle-man between a sender and a receiver, so I'm wondering if there is some way in which I can utilise a SuperHub to act as the VPN? Back at home my parents have a SuperHub, so is there a way to utilise this? I'm only about 16 miles from home.

This is the 3rd place I've tried for an answer as well. Please help.

Thanks for any help ahead

bremen1874 · 5 Oct 2015 at 17:34

Just to check...

You're wanting to use a VPN to circumvent the University's content control?

To do this you want to configure your parent's interconnection so you can connect it via a VPN connection and then connect to the wider Internet from there?

You say you're currently having to connect to the University's VPN to get Internet access. Are you sure? It's not impossible, but seems unlikely.

ThePoundDollar · 5 Oct 2015 at 17:52

bremen1874 said:
Just to check...

You're wanting to use a VPN to circumvent the University's content control?

To do this you want to configure your parent's interconnection so you can connect it via a VPN connection and then connect to the wider Internet from there?

You say you're currently having to connect to the University's VPN to get Internet access. Are you sure? It's not impossible, but seems unlikely.

I'm wanting to use a VPN so that I can have access to online gaming (I need my Destiny fix)

So to access the Internet at the moment, I have to connect the universities own VPN, using their VPN client I was given. If I don't connect to the VPN, the connection symbol in he bottom right has a yellow triangle. Unfortunately steam/XBL is 'blocked' - I say blocked because I heard they only have port 80 open or something - which as you can imagine, makes spare time a bit less fun.

So I'm thinking if there's a way to configure the modem/router (2 in 1) so that I can still game online. I'll only do this if my parents still have access to the Internet and if the speed is decent enough.

bremen1874 · 5 Oct 2015 at 18:13

The Virgin hub isn't capable of acting as a VPN server. You'd need a suitable device behind it, or a separate VPN capable router and the Virgin hub in modem only mode.

The better option would be a subscription with a commercial VPN service.

Whether you could connect out and bypass the University controls is a more complicated subject.

You'd need to provide more technical information about how your connection is configured. Did the University provide you with an information link you can share?

Have you tried tracking down a second year student that lived in the same accommodation? They'd probably know if a workaround is available.

Also, have you checked the T&Cs? You could end up without a connection at all if you aren't careful.

ThePoundDollar · 5 Oct 2015 at 18:45

bremen1874 said:
The Virgin hub isn't capable of acting as a VPN server. You'd need a suitable device behind it, or a separate VPN capable router and the Virgin hub in modem only mode.

The better option would be a subscription with a commercial VPN service.

Whether you could connect out and bypass the University controls is a more complicated subject.

You'd need to provide more technical information about how your connection is configured. Did the University provide you with an information link you can share?

Have you tried tracking down a second year student that lived in the same accommodation? They'd probably know if a workaround is available.

Also, have you checked the T&Cs? You could end up without a connection at all if you aren't careful.

From what I've read on The Student Room, people have been using CactusVPN, so by the sounds of it you're allowed to do it. I can't find anything about it here http://www.ncl.ac.uk/itservice/rules/statementoninternetuse/
nor here http://www.ncl.ac.uk/itservice/connect/overview/students/

bremen1874 · 5 Oct 2015 at 18:53

If CactusVPN is supposed to work then give it a try. There's a trial available so there's nothing to loose.

The University VPN makes sense for accessing their network (as you appear to be on a non-University connection). It doesn't make sense for general Internet access. Do you get any Internet access if you don't connect using the supplied VPN client?

ThePoundDollar · 5 Oct 2015 at 19:02

bremen1874 said:
If CactusVPN is supposed to work then give it a try. There's a trial available so there's nothing to loose.

The University VPN makes sense for accessing their network (as you appear to be on a non-University connection). It doesn't make sense for general Internet access. Do you get any Internet access if you don't connect using the supplied VPN client?

This is what it says/shows when I'm not connected to the VPN...
http://i.imgur.com/NS7oM9x.png

So from what I can gather from you saying I'm not on a University connection, will that mean I could purchase Internet through a third party (Sky, BT, Virgin ect)?

GAM8LE · 5 Oct 2015 at 19:56

Or buy a raspberry pi and load it up with softether VPN which is managed via your computer.

I have this setup at home so I can connect to my network whilst at work and out and about.

bremen1874 · 5 Oct 2015 at 20:03

You appear to be on a network provided by whoever owns your accommodation. You aren't going to be able to have your own connection (99.9999% sure).

If you can't get an Internet connection when just connected to the local network they've probably locked it down to prevent it.

If you can VPN to the University network you should be able to VPN to other providers such as Cactus. It really depends on how they've locked it down.

Steveocee · 6 Oct 2015 at 05:54

I'm fairly sure that you won't be able to simply connect to the network and throw a VPN to your parents home rather than the university, the uni VPN probably has all sorts of additional flow controls and such like. It does sound odd that you have to VPN into it, are you sure it's not just a captive portal "hotspot" system as that seems more likely?

There is a chance as well that the uni will be filtering VPN traffic so the only traffic it will allow will have a destination of their router.

In addition to that, gaming over a VPN is just a bad idea.

xGBHxPegasus · 6 Oct 2015 at 08:15

Ahh I remember the old days of getting past Uni security for online games

I foolishly decided to e-mail the IT department because "I needed to play WoW" :rolleyes:

In the end an old guildie setup a tunnel on one of his companies unused servers. Used Putty to connect, forwarded the correct ports he told me andand WoW worked perfectly with no lag

ThePoundDollar · 9 Oct 2015 at 21:28

Okay, so a little update on the situation. I have tested out CactusVPN using SSTP and online gaming now works; I can connect to steam and use multiplayer on games. I also tested out SoftEther and that semi-worked - it was horrendously laggy from time to time but it still technically worked. So from what I've tested, me and my flatmate are going to share the cost of Cactus providing I can use it to get my Xbox online.

This is where I'm stuck now though. I've read a few tutorials online from other VPN providers and they all mention connecting the Xbox via the Network Sharing Center or by using a router. I'm unsure how to get both to work.

This is what I've tried:
After connecting to the VPN, I open up 'Adapter Settings' and change the properties of the CactusVPN item so that network sharing is enabled and set the 'Home networking connection' is set to Ethernet. The computer is connected via Wi-Fi and my Xbox connected to the computers Ethernet port. I should also mention I'm currently testing this at home and not in the uni halls. When I test the network connection on the Xbox, it says "Cannot connect to your DHCP server".

So at the moment, I've hit a brick wall. Another problem is that my main computer doesn't have a Wi-Fi adapter, so the only way of connecting to the Internet on that is via cable, which then means I can't plug my Xbox into the computer. I'm guessing I'd need a switch or a router or something.

Can anyone help? If you read all that, thank you, I know it was a bit long winded

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I've also got a spare router, D-Link DIR-615. It's a bit old but it might come in handy.

darkblade · 22 Oct 2015 at 13:54

I've found that SoftEther is very CPU intensive, especially if you have to create a virtual network adaptor.
I would look at adding another network card to your PC (these are cheap to buy), and using one enternet connection to connect to the VPN, and the other to share the VPN network connection with other device such as your Xbox.

A better solution would be to look into getting a router and flashing it with either DD-WRT or Tomato. This will allow you to setup the VPN configuration on the router and then just connect devices to it as you would normally. If you are nervous about doing this, some companies offer pre-flashed routers configured to VPN providers, but you will need to check which VPN providers are supported.