Edit: Big thanks to everybody who shared their advice! :) I’m very pleasantly surprised and will definitely explore all the options you guys provided, such as getting an additional router or configuring Tailscale. Again, big thanks to everyone!

Hi all, I’ve recently moved and now my ISP doesn’t allow port forwarding for wired connections (wifi only), and my landlord does not allow changing ISPs. Now my home server is practically useless which makes me very sad.

Is there any easy way to still access device ports without port forwarding or buying a wifi card/dongle is my safest bet?

  • @MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    19•2 years ago

    Host a VPS as a VPN server. Tunnel everything through VPN. Don’t need to use Cloudflare this way, but maybe a little more maintenance

    • Too Lazy Didn't NameEnglish
      12•2 years ago

      In the US at least, ISPs can force you to use a specific router and software restrict certain functions.

      I have AT&T and they do this to me, I just have my own router behind theirs. Might be what OP needs to do.

      • Eager EagleEnglish
        9•2 years ago

        I knew they provided some “perks” to incentivize using their own router, like free support and compatibility with other junk they push to customers, but actively forcing users should be forbidden.

        Do you also have to pay to “rent” the device?

      • @jgkawell@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7•2 years ago

        Yeah I have AT&T and had to set up IP passthrough on their router/gateway box. Basically it makes it so the ISP provided router acts as if it isn’t there and my router gets to do whatever it wants.

    • @BCsven@lemmy.caEnglish
      7•2 years ago

      Canada here, ISP provides router. You can set in Bridge Mode to avoid using their router, but then you are supplying your own equipment, whioe running through their box.

    • @denast@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      6•2 years ago

      I’m in US. My ISP Xfinity decided their users are too stupid to use router settings so they purged port forwarding settings from the router panel altogether. Now you have to use their mobile application which doesn’t allow you to make port forwarding rules for a specific IP (because again, they think their user is an idiot that can’t figure out IP numbers), instead it just gives you a list of devices and you have to select one to create a port forwarding rule. Wired devices are not on that list.

  • @PeachMan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6•2 years ago

    CloudFlare tunnels are dead simple, BUT their terms of service say you can’t stream video with them (so not for Plex). I hear people stream video with them anyway and they haven’t gotten in trouble yet, for what it’s worth.

    • @denast@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      2•2 years ago

      My copied answer to other user in this thread:

      I’m in US. My ISP Xfinity provides their own router and has decided their users are too stupid to use router settings so they purged port forwarding settings from the router firmware altogether. Now you have to use their mobile application which doesn’t allow you to make port forwarding rules for a specific IP (because again, they think their user is an idiot that can’t figure out IP numbers), instead it just gives you a list of devices and you have to select one to create a port forwarding rule. Wired devices are not on that list.

      • DoubletwistEnglish
        2•2 years ago

        I’m pretty sure you can make them set the modem/router to bridge mode and run your own router. If it’s cable, you can also buy your own non-router cable modem, then use whatever router you like behind it.

        • @lemming741@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1•2 years ago

          If you want non-crippled mid-split, you have to use their gear for now. That’s the main reason I haven’t switched. I want that 200 upload, but I refuse to put their box in my house.

  • @SethranKada@lemmy.caEnglish
    4•2 years ago

    Look into cloudflare tunnels or tailscale funnel. Both let the wider public access a private server without port forwarding. If you want it private only, normal tailscale does that too, you might have some trouble if you want to use a custom domain though, since it’s private.

  • @pianoplant@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4•2 years ago

    Not what you’re asking but since it’s been covered well:

    Buy your own cable modem and put your own firewall behind it. Not only will this save you money in the long run, you’ll also have no issues with things like port forwarding. I use Comcast/Xfinity with a docsis3.1 cable modem + a decent firewall and it’s a good way to go.

  • kpw
    2•2 years ago

    Tor onion services also don’t need any port forwarding to work. They are however only accessible over the Tor network.