VPN? Want to control my LAN from WAN

ChrisGTL · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:29

Firstly, is VPN what am I looking for in this situation?

I have a HTPC, Reciever, TV all on my ethernet LAN with internet connection via a wifi extender talking to my ISP wifi router.

On my Android phone I would like to control some of my equipment before I get home (warm up my reciever/speakers so they are ready for me when I get home - I have a Yamaha app that controls my receiver) and my TV (again I have an android app that controls my Sony TV) and something like VNC to take control of my HTPC (I want to be able to wake up my HTPC from sleep via the magic packet android app which works when I'm on LAN)

Is VPN where I want to be?

ChrisD. · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:34

Yes.

You can have a VPN server on your router if it supports it, or set one up on your HTPC (OS dependent).

Connect to the VPN, then browse to the local IPs of the devices you want to manage.

ChrisGTL · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:37

As easy as that eh?

The HTPC is running W7 Home Premium I believe..

PistolPete · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:12

Your WOL app should work over VPN but it may not do, does your router support WOL just in case??

ChrisD. · 6 Jun 2012 at 18:39

ChrisGTL said:
As easy as that eh?

The HTPC is running W7 Home Premium I believe..

Should be, yes.

Sin_Chase · 6 Jun 2012 at 19:01

VPN for sure, ideally you want a PPTP end-point on your router (if it supports it) as Android has baked in support for PPTP VPNs.

L2PT/IPSec are also options but much harder to configure.