expiredphoinix | Staff posted Feb 03, 2026 12:16 PM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
expiredphoinix | Staff posted Feb 03, 2026 12:16 PM
[YMMV, AC] $79.98 | TP-Link Festa FR307-M2 | Multi-Gigabit VPN Wired Router Gateway at Amazon
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If I replace my regular Ethernet switch with this VPN gateway, do I still need to subscribe to a service like NordVPN?
I don't necessarily need to hide my IP address, but I want my data to be protected.
I'm having trouble understanding how the gateway works without an external provider.
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If I replace my regular Ethernet switch with this VPN gateway, do I still need to subscribe to a service like NordVPN?
I don't necessarily need to hide my IP address, but I want my data to be protected.
I'm having trouble understanding how the gateway works without an external provider.
The term VPN has been popularized to mean using a proxy server to access the Internet through an encrypted tunnel, especially from paid services, but it's actually just the way to connect two separate computer networks together securely. This device has the ability to help create those connections, including to such proxy services, but is more aimed at businesses/organizations to facilitate their users being able to access their systems remotely, or connect two separate locations so they act as if on the same network.
This isn't a replacement for a service such as NordVPN, it's a router, it sits between your Internet service provider (ISP) and the rest of your network and provides a number of services for your network. While it technically has an Ethernet switch in it, it's way overkill and would be wasted as a replacement for your switch.
Something like this might be a way to help protect your network, but it's likely a bit complicated for the first dip into the area. Maybe start by logging into your existing router and seeing what kind of features it has and if playing around with that kind of thing is of interest to you.
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The term VPN has been popularized to mean using a proxy server to access the Internet through an encrypted tunnel, especially from paid services, but it's actually just the way to connect two separate computer networks together securely. This device has the ability to help create those connections, including to such proxy services, but is more aimed at businesses/organizations to facilitate their users being able to access their systems remotely, or connect two separate locations so they act as if on the same network.
This isn't a replacement for a service such as NordVPN, it's a router, it sits between your Internet service provider (ISP) and the rest of your network and provides a number of services for your network. While it technically has an Ethernet switch in it, it's way overkill and would be wasted as a replacement for your switch.
Something like this might be a way to help protect your network, but it's likely a bit complicated for the first dip into the area. Maybe start by logging into your existing router and seeing what kind of features it has and if playing around with that kind of thing is of interest to you.
Hopefully someone with actual IT/selfhosting experience could chime in.
I purchased a mikrotik rb750gr3 a few years ago and have had great luck with it so far.
If I replace my regular Ethernet switch with this VPN gateway, do I still need to subscribe to a service like NordVPN?
I don't necessarily need to hide my IP address, but I want my data to be protected.
I'm having trouble understanding how the gateway works without an external provider.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Jack Schitt
So, you are completely dependent on the security of tplink for yours. Don't walk, RUN from this.
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This essentially duplicates the functionality of their omada line (for some reason, ask their tapo and kasa division the same question)
Just like the omada division, this system provides wifi via access points sold separately.
Unlike the omada, the festa has the router and the device manager that handles the access point in a single box. The old omada systems had the router and controller in separate boxes.
This whole system competes with UnIfi at a lower price point.
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