Advice Request Wanted: Vpn Hotspot Router

[Cleo]

Hi MT.
I'm doing the Brockwell challenge and losing my SIM card.
Can someone recommend a strong VPN hotspot router?
Some requirements:
1) Ideally fits in a regular pocket.
2) Fast bootup. (as it will remain off unless in use)
3) VPN functionality (at least OpenVPN but wireguard would be good too)
4) My 5G data SIM is capped at 250mpbs so as close to that speed as possible with the VPN running.
5) Prefer not to be another phone but just a wifi hotspot router.
6) Can give the internets to my SIM-less phone using a tether instead of WiFi if needed.
7) Enough battery for a day out and about.

I currently have an Inseego M2000 which is very slow to boot and seems to require manually turning the VPN on which can only be done via a webpage interface rather than the management app.
It manages about 22mbps speed with ProtonVPN connected to the "fastest" server which I assume is due to the weak ass chip. It doesn't fit my jean pocket, only my jackets.
We don't have a Calyx option here in Australia but my data SIM provides up to 400GB per month so.... enough for now.

 

[Bot]

Hello,
Based on your requirements, the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router might be a great choice. It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, has a quick boot time, and can reach up to 300Mbps on 2.4G Wi-Fi and 433Mbps on 5G Wi-Fi. It's compact, fits in a pocket, and can be powered by any laptop USB, power banks, or a 5V DC adapter. However, keep in mind that the battery life might vary depending on the power source and usage.

 

[Cleo]

Hello,
Based on your requirements, the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router might be a great choice. It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, has a quick boot time, and can reach up to 300Mbps on 2.4G Wi-Fi and 433Mbps on 5G Wi-Fi. It's compact, fits in a pocket, and can be powered by any laptop USB, power banks, or a 5V DC adapter. However, keep in mind that the battery life might vary depending on the power source and usage.

I have that router. Its USB power port doesn't work anymore. The model is discontinued and also requires an external battery pack which excludes it from my requirements.

 

[Bot]

I have that router. It's USB power port doesn't work anymore. The model is discontinued and also requires an external battery pack which excludes it from my requirements.

I apologize for the confusion. You might want to consider the Netgear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router MR1100. It supports VPN pass-through, has a quick boot-up time, and delivers up to 1Gbps download speed. It has a built-in battery that lasts up to 24 hours and is compact enough to fit in your pocket. However, it doesn't support 5G. For a 5G option, consider the Netgear Nighthawk M5, but it's larger and might not fit in a regular pocket.

 

[Cleo]

I can't get what I need in a hotspot. VPN (even Wireguard) will chug too much power.
Here are the assembled odds, spares, and "lucky finds" from the storeroom at work.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel 300 3.9 GHz Dual-Core Processor (Purchased For $0.00)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock LP CPU Cooler (Purchased For $0.00)
Memory: Lexar Ares RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-4000 CL18 Memory (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: Palit KalmX GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 6 GB Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: In Win P105II 1050 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $0.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-04-01 00:41 AEDT+1100

What kind of VPN router can I make from this with an extra AUD 300 budget? Prefer a small, quiet unit. Wi-Fi is not required but nice. Needs 250mbps native OpenVPN speed.

 

[Brahman]

Prefer a small, quiet unit. Wi-Fi is not required but nice. Needs 250mbps native OpenVPN speed.

If wifi hotspot is not a requirement, then you can consider Netgate Pfsense device, which are fanless, comes with enterprise level firewall and you can install IDs/ips applications like suricata. The second device can give you ipsec VPN speeds upto 3 Gbps.

Netgate 2100 BASE pfSense+ Security Gateway

The Netgate 2100 security gateway appliance with pfSense Plus software delivers unbeatable performance and flexibility in its class. It is ideal for home, remote worker, and small business deployments

shop.netgate.com

Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway

The Netgate 4200 Is The Official pfSense router, pfSense firewall, & pfSense VPN. The Netgate® 4200 with pfSense® Plus software is one of the most versatile security gateways in its class. The 4200 delivers almost 10 Gbps of L3 routing across four independent 2.5 GbE flexible WAN/LAN ports.

shop.netgate.com

 

[Cleo]

If wifi hotspot is not a requirement, then you can consider Netgate Pfsense device, which are fanless, comes with enterprise level firewall and you can install IDs/ips applications like suricata. The second device can give you ipsec VPN speeds upto 3 Gbps.

Netgate 2100 BASE pfSense+ Security Gateway

The Netgate 2100 security gateway appliance with pfSense Plus software delivers unbeatable performance and flexibility in its class. It is ideal for home, remote worker, and small business deployments

shop.netgate.com

Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway

The Netgate 4200 Is The Official pfSense router, pfSense firewall, & pfSense VPN. The Netgate® 4200 with pfSense® Plus software is one of the most versatile security gateways in its class. The 4200 delivers almost 10 Gbps of L3 routing across four independent 2.5 GbE flexible WAN/LAN ports.

shop.netgate.com

They look nice. Pretty expensive here. The base unit is about $1K AUD.

 

[Shadowra]

If you use the 4G/5G network well, take a look at the Netgear 4G LTE Nighthawk M1

 

[Cleo]

If you use the 4G/5G network well, take a look at the Netgear 4G LTE Nighthawk M1

I'll check it out.

 

[Brahman]

Check out this 5G router too, supports 5g, ipsec vpn, wire guard etc.

Chateau 5G ax | MikroTik

Mobile internet has never been faster! Generation 6 version of Chateau 5G. Much faster wireless, improved CPU, and now – with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet!

mikrotik.com

This one is less costly but not 5G.

Chateau LTE18 ax | MikroTik

The best home AP just got even better. Generation 6 version of the Chateau LTE18. Much faster wireless, improved CPU, and now – with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet!

mikrotik.com

If you dont need LTE then check this out, its priced at $139.00

hAP ax³ | MikroTik

Our top-of-the-line AX home access point. With all the processing power and speed your household might ever need. Gen 6 wireless, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, PoE, WPA3, and more!

mikrotik.com

C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD | Buy MikroTik hAP ax³ Gigabit WiFi Gen 6 Access Point | WISP Australia

C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD MikroTik hAP ax³ Quad-Core ARM CPU 802.11AX + Wave2 Dual Band Dual Chain Gigabit PoE WiFi Gen 6 Access Point. Buy MikroTik hAP ax³ Gigabit WiFi Gen 6 Access Point devices online at wisp Australia.

wisp.net.au

 

[Cleo]

Check out this 5G router too, supports 5g, ipsec vpn, wire guard etc.

Chateau 5G ax | MikroTik

Mobile internet has never been faster! Generation 6 version of Chateau 5G. Much faster wireless, improved CPU, and now – with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet!

mikrotik.com

View attachment 282524


This one is less costly but not 5G.

Chateau LTE18 ax | MikroTik

The best home AP just got even better. Generation 6 version of the Chateau LTE18. Much faster wireless, improved CPU, and now – with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet!

mikrotik.com

If you dont need LTE then check this out, its priced at $139.00

hAP ax³ | MikroTik

Our top-of-the-line AX home access point. With all the processing power and speed your household might ever need. Gen 6 wireless, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, PoE, WPA3, and more!

mikrotik.com

C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD | Buy MikroTik hAP ax³ Gigabit WiFi Gen 6 Access Point | WISP Australia

C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD MikroTik hAP ax³ Quad-Core ARM CPU 802.11AX + Wave2 Dual Band Dual Chain Gigabit PoE WiFi Gen 6 Access Point. Buy MikroTik hAP ax³ Gigabit WiFi Gen 6 Access Point devices online at wisp Australia.

wisp.net.au

Very nice. Unfortunately, the Chateau is out of stock everywhere I look.