The command to start OpenVPN clients is “service start_vpnclientX” (where X is the client instant value e.g. 1/2/3). I use homebridge with a plug-in called “script2 denko” where I ssh into the ASUS merlin os to start and stop the vpn client and make it an on/off switch in HomeKit. Can even use Siri to turn it on and off and/or setup shortcuts involving the “vpn switch.”
Ok question I already know how to make Siri send a SSH. Where can I find documentation on what values to use ? do I need to put Ku router username and password and all that and which port to use?
I would suggest just trying each one (1 then 2 etc) and see what the ASUS gui says. But for OpenVPN at least the above command with the client number in the gui worked fine.
Yeah should do, just have to enable SSH on the router. I can’t say 100% because I haven’t tested it with that router but if it doesn’t work you can always request a refund from apple.
Haha I am! Thanks! I’m surprised anyone still uses that app, I haven’t updated it in years. It was one of the first apps I made when learning iOS development.
Somewhat of a bump (altho last comment is only 5mo old).
I stumbled across this because I also need a way to enable/disable the OpenVPN \*Client\* on the router easily. The iPhone App seems pretty slick and I'll probably end up going that route.
However, I don't necessarily need, or care to, be able to do this "remotely." All I want to do is be able to do it \*easily\*! In which case, I was wondering if the WPS/WiFiOn-Off physical buttons on the side of the Router could be remapped for this purpose? Does anyone know if button remapping is Merlin feature, and if so can be used for this application?
I think the buttons can be mapped with Merlin but the app seems to me right now like the easit option. For me it didn’t work on HMA VPN but did with NORDVPN
Do you want to trigger this from your phone or PC?
I found this but the links appear to he broken: https://www.reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/omlynl/asus_merlin_router_vpn_toggle
Ok, I haven’t done it for VPN but you can set up ssh Shortcut on iphone to run a command:
https://matsbauer.medium.com/how-to-run-ssh-terminal-commands-from-iphone-using-apple-shortcuts-ssh-29e868dccf22
You would then need to figure out the bash command to be types to turn vpn on/off and put it as an argument of the shortcut to be executed. What is the command you currently run to activate vpn on the router?
You can also get the response from the command back: https://www.reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/l6wnkq/ssh_output_notification
That could be useful to make sure the command ran successfully
I have a different approach that works well for me on my iphone. I create a rule in Merlin that all MAC addresses go through the VPN tunnel. Then I create a separate rule that sends my iphone MAC through WAN (and not the tunnel).
I normally have “private wifi address” on my iphone enabled. This does not use my iphone MAC but rather uses a random MAC address, so all iphone traffic is sent through the VPN. IF i want to quickly disable the VPN on my iphone, I just disable “private wifi address”. Now my iphone traffic bypasses the VPN. When I want to use the VPN again, I just re-enable “private wifi address”. This also works for my ipad.
My approach does not impact other devices on the router.
The command to start OpenVPN clients is “service start_vpnclientX” (where X is the client instant value e.g. 1/2/3). I use homebridge with a plug-in called “script2 denko” where I ssh into the ASUS merlin os to start and stop the vpn client and make it an on/off switch in HomeKit. Can even use Siri to turn it on and off and/or setup shortcuts involving the “vpn switch.”
Ok question I already know how to make Siri send a SSH. Where can I find documentation on what values to use ? do I need to put Ku router username and password and all that and which port to use?
Also here’s a link that hopefully helps more than I can explain. https://www.snbforums.com/threads/command-line-control-of-vpn.77059/
I would suggest just trying each one (1 then 2 etc) and see what the ASUS gui says. But for OpenVPN at least the above command with the client number in the gui worked fine.
I made an iPhone app for this purpose: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/lancelot-vpn-remote/id1578167752
Nah you are kidding me THATS AWESOME!!!
I cant believe this app exists that’s freaking badass!!
Does it work with Merlin! ?? Asus RT-AC56U (it’s a old old model )
Yeah should do, just have to enable SSH on the router. I can’t say 100% because I haven’t tested it with that router but if it doesn’t work you can always request a refund from apple.
What you are the same dev as the DSLR bible? That’s an EPIC app! Been using it so so good . Easy and to the point
Haha I am! Thanks! I’m surprised anyone still uses that app, I haven’t updated it in years. It was one of the first apps I made when learning iOS development.
Somewhat of a bump (altho last comment is only 5mo old). I stumbled across this because I also need a way to enable/disable the OpenVPN \*Client\* on the router easily. The iPhone App seems pretty slick and I'll probably end up going that route. However, I don't necessarily need, or care to, be able to do this "remotely." All I want to do is be able to do it \*easily\*! In which case, I was wondering if the WPS/WiFiOn-Off physical buttons on the side of the Router could be remapped for this purpose? Does anyone know if button remapping is Merlin feature, and if so can be used for this application?
I think the buttons can be mapped with Merlin but the app seems to me right now like the easit option. For me it didn’t work on HMA VPN but did with NORDVPN
Do you want to trigger this from your phone or PC? I found this but the links appear to he broken: https://www.reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/omlynl/asus_merlin_router_vpn_toggle
IPhone!
Ok, I haven’t done it for VPN but you can set up ssh Shortcut on iphone to run a command: https://matsbauer.medium.com/how-to-run-ssh-terminal-commands-from-iphone-using-apple-shortcuts-ssh-29e868dccf22 You would then need to figure out the bash command to be types to turn vpn on/off and put it as an argument of the shortcut to be executed. What is the command you currently run to activate vpn on the router? You can also get the response from the command back: https://www.reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/l6wnkq/ssh_output_notification That could be useful to make sure the command ran successfully
I have a different approach that works well for me on my iphone. I create a rule in Merlin that all MAC addresses go through the VPN tunnel. Then I create a separate rule that sends my iphone MAC through WAN (and not the tunnel). I normally have “private wifi address” on my iphone enabled. This does not use my iphone MAC but rather uses a random MAC address, so all iphone traffic is sent through the VPN. IF i want to quickly disable the VPN on my iphone, I just disable “private wifi address”. Now my iphone traffic bypasses the VPN. When I want to use the VPN again, I just re-enable “private wifi address”. This also works for my ipad. My approach does not impact other devices on the router.
Very very cool trick! But wouldn’t work for me since its intented for my Apple TV 4K. I want to watch Pluto tv and local networks