
tinc can be used to create virtual networks between computers. A UDP based tunnelling solution means that only the HTTP layer is performing these extra tasks. UDP is much faster because it’s just packets sent straight over the network without error checking or flow control. The answer is to switch to something UDP based. Running HTTP through the SSH tunnel is performing these error checks twice, resulting in much slower speeds.

TCP ensures a reliable connection with built-in error checking and transmission control but this comes at a cost of speed. The most likely reason for this is that both SSH and HTTP use the TCP protocol to transmit data over a network. This is easy to setup and works well, but I discovered that HTTP based services through the tunnel run extremely slow. Reverse SSH TunnelĪ common way to get remote access through a firewall is with a Reverse SSH Tunnel. Last resort, DIY! A virtual private server (VPS) is a cheap way to get a small cloud server with a decant connection and its very own IPv4 address! For this I grabbed a VPS server from Vultr, whose cheapest server has more than enough grunt to provide remote access. Other than that, there are virtual private network (VPN) services which provide port forwarding, however it’s unlikely you’d be able to use the HTTP and HTTPS ports.
DIGITAL OCEAN TINC SOFTWARE
These work well but require client software to join the virtual network, not meeting my first requirement of working on any computer! There are services dedicated to providing remote access to your networks like Hamachi. To meet my crazy requirements above, some other machine needs to be involved. This other machine can be accessed from anywhere and forward connections through the tunnel to get to the home server. We may not be able to get incoming connections to the home server, but the home server can setup an outgoing tunnel connection with some other machine on the internet. The concept of using a tunnel is pretty simple. Never fear, we can still tunnel traffic through the internet with the help of another computer with a more accessible connection. May not be able to get incoming connectionsįinally, once we’ve sorted out everything above, you may not be able to get incoming traffic to reach your house! As a result of the IPv4 address shortage and ISP firewalls, incoming connections don’t always work. Many routers will also take the default HTTP/HTTPS ports for their own services, leaving you with non-standard port numbers for everything else.
DIGITAL OCEAN TINC FULL
However, you may not have full control over the router to setup these rules. Port forwarding needs to be setup on your router so incoming connections are forwarded to the home server.

The solution is to use a dynamic DNS service which solves both these issues, but we still end up with the below problems. Getting a static IP typically results in extra charges, and would require updating the DNS record if anything changes. Very rarely does a home connection come with a static IP. Why is this such an issue? May not have a static IP The hardest requirement to cater to is that moving house or ISP shouldn’t break my remote access. Moving house or ISP shouldn’t break my remote access.All transmission of my content should be encrypted.This means all standard HTTP/HTTPS ports should be used! I should be able to punch in an easy to remember web address like.I should be able to access my services from any computer in the world.


Previous experience with remote access solutions inspired some requirements: This is great, but I want to access my content when I’m away from home.
