Easiest way to VPN remotely to NAS files using File Explorer

English Networking
1

I have tried on and off over a long time to set up VPN access so I can call on my NAS files using File Explorer and mapped directories. I have failed to get it over the line each time. Is there a simple or usual way of doing this? I have tried OpenVPN and QVPN but I guess I have done somenting wrong for it to fil each time.

Any assistance or pointers greatly appreciated

2

A VPN server should be installed on your router or other edge device, what do you have available?

3

If you have a router that supports Wireguard you can very easily set up a VPN. The other way to do it would be to run Tailscale from your NAS. Taiscale uses Wireguard and people rave about it.

4

Tailscale, easy to set-up.

5

You may refer to these two FAQs for setup guidance and equipment recommendations:

How to set up and use QVPN? | QNAP
How do I securely access my NAS from the Internet using QVPN? | QNAP

6

Running Wireguard on a Raspberry Pi works for me.

7

I have QVPN on my NAS and OpenVPN on my router

8

If your router offers OpenVPN services, just use that to connect to your network and forget VPN on your QNAP.

9

I access my NAS via OpenVPN.. I set it up on my Asus Router, thanks to dolbyman helping me a few years back, after being hacked!

I can access my NAS, Router and remotely watch Plex, as if I’m at home :slight_smile:

At home I mount the NAS via Explorer to upload media, as Filestation 6 is slow as :frowning:

I’d love to be able to remotely mount the NAS Media drive via VPN in Explorer too? Is there a way please, as it has to be faster than Filestation 6 via the webpage???

I just remotely uploaded a 3gb file at 2mbs, it should be way faster surely?? :frowning:

Did the original poster manage to sort this out, as I am sure he wants to do the same thing I do?

Many thanks

10

OpenVPN should let you mount SMB shares the same way as at home.(even with the same IP’s, just make sure you mount via IP and not name as you would either have to hardcode the DNS names into your host file or not use split tunnelling for home network DNS server usage)

But as with any connection, you are bound by the upload/download of your home and mobile (out of home) connection.

11

Thanks, I thought that might be the case, but it doesn’t seem to work? Perhaps i’m being dumb, but I tried the IP, which is the IP of the NAS right, plus the port?

Perhaps I have SMB not fully turned on, as I locked virtually everything down after the hack? And that is why it can’t find it?

12

SMB connections do not need a port, no matter if local or via VPN.

You could have some sort of firewall setting preventing SMB services from other subnets, but you would have to check.

13

Hi Bitrudeuk, To answer your question, no luck yet. I am investigating OpenVPN and Tailscale solutions but have issues with both. Inn case it is of interest, the Tailscale issue raised here can be found here Tailscale error message

14

I had the \\ the wrong way round…

For anyone else struggling it’s;

\\IP address of NAS\Folder you want to map

I’m now getting 8mbs :slight_smile:

Thanks!!

15

What router have you got? I managed to setup OpenVPN on my Asus fairly easily, but I am also running Merlin on it…

I might try Wireguard to see if it’s any quicker, but OpenVPN is stable and I can watch a 4K remux file remotely on my Shield Pro in Plex without any transcoding, so part of me feels why bother wasting more time? I’m now fully remote (in another country), but as if I’m at home :slight_smile:

Happy to help you if I can, I came in as a novice, but now have enough knowledge to be considered “dangerous” ha ha

16

I have a Netgear RAX50, which is designed for OpenVPN as I understand it. I have issues getting it to play nicely but that is likely more to do with me not being sufficiently IT/network savvy, hence the playing around with Tailscale on the QNAP NAS as an option.