I'm looking for a portable solution that lets me work remotely on different PCs for short periods, about 0-3 times a month, for 24 to 48 hours at a time. The catch is that the ISP setup at the remote locations won't be in bridge mode and I can't use static IPs.
I need a device that remote staff can easily set up—something they can just take out from a drawer, plug in, turn on, and connect via Ethernet to their ISP modem or router and also to their PC without needing much help. Once their work is done, they just unplug it and store it away.
It would be fantastic if this device could work at various locations with no need for complex configurations. These locations could have different ISP devices ranging from Starlink to mobile hotspots or cable/fiber setups.
The device on my end should require minimal extra work for each connection and need to be configured to only recognize the other end. Essentially, I want to establish a secure remote connection that doesn't involve opening any RDP ports on the ISP equipment and requires little user involvement on the other side.
5 Answers
Mikrotik routers are another solid choice, starting around €25. They support Wireguard and ZeroTier, making them versatile options depending on your needs.
Have you considered using Tailscale? It's super easy to install on the target machines, and their free tier is pretty generous. It simplifies the remote access without needing physical devices.
If you're leaning towards physical devices, look into Ubiquiti's travel routers. They recently launched a model for $79 that supports OpenVPN and Wireguard. Configure it and send it to the site. The user just needs to plug it in for instant connectivity.
For a more hands-off approach, you could build a setup like we did with what we call 'the footballs'. It’s a portable kit that includes a cell router and an IP KVM. It establishes an OpenVPN connection right when it powers on, so you're ready to go.
Pfsense boxes are a great budget option for setting up VPN tunnels between sites. They’re quite affordable and can handle the task well.
I just started using Tailscale too, and it's amazing! It's straightforward and works really well for what you're trying to do.