QNAP TurboNAS VPN Server: Useful Feature?

iPad Configuration

I decided to test with the iPad as there were several use cases that I wanted to test out.  It turns out that the iPad is easy to configure.  Here is how you do it.

• Open Settings.
• Choose General.
• Choose Network.
• Choose VPN.
• Click on Add VPN Configuration.
• Choose PPTP (middle tab).
• Pictured here are the settings to use.  Complete these settings, hit Save.

• Once the VPN is configured, test it out.  Follow these steps every time you connect to the internet.
  • Click on Settings.
  • Choose General.
  • Choose Network.
  • Click VPN.
  • Turn VPN on.

The iPad will connect to a configured VPN server.  If it does not connect, click on the server that you configured in the above steps and wait for a connection.  Ensure that you get a message that says Connected before you try and surf.  Congrats, you are using the VPN! Note that you need to reconnect to the VPN server if your lock screen comes on.

OK, Jim. big deal…why would I ever use this at home?  I mean, VPN at work is great, and this feature is aimed at SMB’s who want to perform remote administration and backup/replication, but how would a home user ever use a VPN server?  Here are the three main use cases that I’ve tested out.

Use Case 1: Chinese Social Networking Restrictions

I have a work colleague who is based in Beijing and who just had a little daughter.  His family is in the Czech Republic, his in-laws are in Latvia, and he has plenty of friends in the U.S. that he likes to share photos with.  No big deal if you live in Peoria, like I do, just post them to Facebook or Flickr, right?  Well, in China, the government restricts the ability to get to social networking sites as they are concerned about the ability to manage government protests using them, so my colleague was not able to share photos and keep his family and friends in the loop like he wanted to.  When he told me of his situation one Sunday night in a project room, I grabbed his iPad and configured the VPN for him.  Now, when he connects the iPad to the internet from China, he connects to my VPN server, encrypting his traffic, obtains an IP address from my home cable modem (Comcast in Illinois), and posts pictures and posts to Facebook and Flickr all he wants.  My colleague is happy and is now adding this VPN server configuration to his wife’s iPhone and his Mac Book.  Problem solved!  If you spend any time travelling or working in China, this solution is elegant and works well, if a little slowly due to my residential cable modem.

Use Case 2: Secured Traffic Using Hotspots

We all connect to open unsecured hotspots from time to time…for me, usually while on the road in a hotel.  Securing all of my work traffic is a no-brainer and I use the VPN solution for my work laptop every time I log in, and now I can also secure my personal traffic on my iPad and laptop as well!  Also, certain apps like HBO GO enforce geographic restrictions on users.  Recently, I was in Newcastle in Australia and wanted to see an Entourage episode from Season 8.  I connected to the VPN server and ran HBO GO just like I was back home and was able to get my fix.  Using a VPN server to encrypt your personal traffic is a nice way to safely use unsecured hotspots while travelling.

Use Case 3: Secured Administration of the NAS

I set up the MyCloudNAS Connect application on my ASUS EP-121 Windows 7 tablet, which uses the VPN server to securely and remotely connect to the NAS from outside my home network.  I have access to the administration screens and NAS file contents as if I am logged in from home…a very handy tool.  I can perform any administrative task remotely that I can from home.  Note that HTTPS access to the remote administrative dashboard is supported in TurboNAS, so MyCloudNAS Connect is optional, but works very well.

Devices Tested

So far, I have connected to the VPN server with a WebOS tablet, several iPads, my DROID2 Android phone, my Windows 7 laptop and my colleague’s iPhone.  All devices worked fine with PPTP.  Performance is stable and relatively quick, limited by my residential cable modem service, but the VPN server has already become part of my routine.

Conclusion

QNAP’s TurboNAS VPN server is a handy tool, is brain-dead easy to set up and works very well.  It’s been tested on my TS-419P+ from China and Australia, as well as a few open hotspots in the US, and works very well.  If you have a QNAP TurboNAS running 3.6, go ahead and configure it…you will find many uses for it.  I give this TurboNAS feature a 5/5.

Here are links to our prior TurboNAS deep dives.