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EMERGENCY HELP QUESTION ?

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Hey there, I'm not an expert on networking so apologize if my question is dumb but I am having an emergency related to employment.

The company that I work for lets us work from home but they want me to live in another state. 

I purchased residence in that other state but I do not want to live there as my family is not there and not willing to relocate.

I was looking for a router that had a vpn installed on it (flashed on it) which I could setup via my phone or personal laptop and set ip access point location in the state that my employee wants me to live in.

I can not add software to the work laptop so I need the vpn to be running when I plug the laptop into it or connect wirelessly.

I was looking into netgear laptops with ddwrt and tomato flashes but I thought this might be easier but there is no live customer support so I'm not sure and I need to know for sure so I don't lose my job.

SO to recap 

1. Is the VPN actively working once set up via third party device or at all times?

2. Can I set the vpn connection location (access point)


I used to have nordvpn on my personal laptop and I would connect to the vpn and be able to select the region or place I wanted to connect to.  
I want that feature but on the router itself so I don't need software on my computer.


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    Michael Bierman

    Yes, you can use Firewalla Client to send all (or just some) traffic through a third party VPN.  Many 3rd VPN providers let you choose the location of your connection. Just pick one with a presence in the state you need. 

    You can also send traffic from one firewalla to another if you have a firewalla set up in the right state that could work as well. 


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    Will IAM

    That is an awesome response. Thank you

    I was speaking to expressvpn and they didn't have any servers located in the state I needed however.

    1. Is there a server location list somewhere or are there server access points in all of the 50 u.s.a. states. I'm looking for a server location in idaho.

    2. My other question is my work laptop has its own company vpn on it.

    Do you see issues using 2 vpns one the firewalla then the second my companies?

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    Michael Bierman
    • Edited

    I think the answer is you can use Firewalla VPN Client to connect to an out of state VPN. You can force all traffic through that VPN for any devices you choose. That device can run a different VPN and I believe what the the second VPN will see is the out of state VPN IP. 

    Now it is entirely possible that the receiving network (your employer) could block the first VPN traffic. It is also possible that they might ask why you use a VPN if you live in that state.

    I don’t know if I would risk this myself. However, that discussion is beyond what you asked. 

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    Will IAM

    I really appreciate the info and advice Michael.

    You answered all my questions and quite fast I really really appreciate it.
    And you are right. Unfortunately I can not afford to lose the job at this time. It's just sad I pay 2000 for a mortgage for my wife and kids and then 2000 for this apartment in another state and 2000 on student loans.
    And I only make 6k a month after taxes. There's no money for anything else and we can't sell the home or we would lose money as we bought it right around covid.
    I had job opportunity to be in the state but the pay was like half so I thought this would be better but I don't know. That's what I get for going to school, niche work, an extremely stressful job all day, and poverty.

    But I'm rambling. Thanks for the info and advice =)

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    Rich T.

    I did a quick look didn't see any provider with VPN servers in Idaho. Assuming you have a lease in Idaho, the best move may be to set up internet &VPN server there, make sure it works, then sub-lease the apartment to someone with "free internet" included.

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    Will IAM

    Haha that is another great Idea Rich T.

    Would just need to put stipulations in the contract that they are not to modify settings on the network or be subject to penalties ... perhaps.

    Unfortunately I already left and sublet the old apartment having thought this quest would be a tad easier but too much of a risk at the moment.

    But I did find a new apartment that I think is more to my liking of course at a higher cost but maybe will make the experience/journey more rewarding. 

    Thanks for taking the time to read and contribute to this thread and provide expertise !

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    Michael Bierman

    @WillIAM If you are in touch with the subleasor, you might still offer to share the intenret bill (or pay for it) if they plugin Firewalla. If you got Purple, you could create an entirely separate network for you and another for them. With Blue Plus you would be "sharing" but you could limit the VPN access just to you and you could keep control over the Fireawlla box. 

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