So I have a few different devices on my LAN at home and would like to access them from anywhere. Things like a plex server, immich, and an IP webcam. I have enough technical knowledge that I know I can port forward (easy and unsafe) or get a VPN to remote into it (don’t know if possible with my restrictions). I have heard that wireguard works very well but I don’t know how well it would work with this.
My main PC that runs most of my things has lots of personal things on it as well, and it’s not always on because I don’t want the power draw. So what I am wondering is if I could use an old broken phone (Note 20 ultra with non-functional screen) to host something like wireguard so I can remote into my network using my phone or laptop. This phone would stay at home and be online all day every day.
Has anyone had luck with something like this? I really can’t use a PC for anything since I can’t guarantee that it will be on
I’d be interested to see if this is possible.
The easier solution would be to setup docker on your Plex machine (or any other machine that’s constantly up), and use a pre-built wireguard docker container like this.
There are plenty of guides on how to set up a container. If you do end up going down this path. Create a docker compose file. It will make your life a little easier when managing it.
You should get a small cheap router like a mikrotik hEX lite. You can run wireguard on it and it’s consumption is really low.
What machine is hosting all these services? You would put the VPN there. (Because what the point of connection into your network if the machine that is running your services is not on)
If it is your PC that is running all these services, then you would want to move these services off your PC if you are concerned about private information.
I have enough technical knowledge that I know I can port forward (easy and unsafe) or get a VPN to remote into it (don’t know if possible with my restrictions).
What restrictions do you have?
So what I am wondering is if I could use an old broken phone (Note 20 ultra with non-functional screen) to host something like wireguard so I can remote into my network using my phone or laptop. This phone would stay at home and be online all day every day.
While you can probably find a way to do this. I wouldn’t recommend it. Relying on any wifi is not recommended. You want a hardwired connection for stability of the network connection.
Hope that helps
Would I have to replace my home router for that? My home router is owned by my ISP and I can’t replace it. I can however connect a new router to one of its ethernet ports and use that for my devices
The restrictions is that I rather not keep a computer online at all times and I have a normal VPN running on that PC at all times
You don’t have too, you can use this as standalone device too. And some bigger model (on ARM), can even run small docker container.
You should be able to run both VPN at the same time on the same machine. (Might need to double check this)
I’m sure you can set it up with a phone but it’s still not recommended.
If you are looking for advice with your setup (apologize if you aren’t)
You should separate the machines or try to run both VPN at the same time.
Hosting a VPN on a phone using Wi-Fi will most likely be brittle.
Hope that helps.