Secure Home VPN and Router Recovery
A client network engagement covering router recovery, WAN configuration, network-wide VPN protection, remote access, and handover.
The challenge
What needed to be solved
The router had no accessible administration interface, DHCP was unavailable, and the finished network needed reliable internet, VPN protection, and secure remote access.
The approach
How I worked through it
I recovered the router from its factory state, restored firmware, configured Verizon WAN and DNS, deployed NordVPN through OpenVPN, enabled DDNS, and tested connectivity and leak protection.
The result
What the work demonstrated
The client received a working network with router-level VPN coverage, remote access, optimized connectivity, and practical troubleshooting instructions.
Process
From problem to validation
Recover the router
Reset the ASUS router, connected directly by Ethernet, assigned a temporary static address, entered recovery mode, and restored the firmware.
Restore internet service
Configured automatic WAN addressing, reliable DNS resolvers, and the Verizon-specific settings needed for stable connectivity.
Deploy the VPN
Imported a nearby NordVPN OpenVPN profile, enabled leak protection, and verified the network's public exit address.
Enable remote access
Configured DDNS to account for a changing public IP and validated remote access from an external device.
Optimize and hand over
Checked for double NAT, adjusted protocol and QoS settings, tested the final network, and provided user instructions.
Skills demonstrated