2023-11-21, 02:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 2023-11-21, 03:02 PM by TheDreadPirate. Edited 1 time in total.)
I want to preface this by saying this is a newb level networking question I'm encountering as I try and figure out unRAID. I've looked more than I care to admit and think I know the answer, but want to verify.
I have a basic understanding of commercial VPNs. I connect which creates a VPN tunnel to their server. It treats me as if I'm on that network. The data that is transmitted between and their server and me is encrypted/secure. My ISP will see I'm connected to that server but not the contents of the data. Anything I do while connected to the VPN, I guess past that endpoint, works like normal and isn't necessarily secure.
I'm comparing that to the built-in wireguard for unRAID and get a little confused because I'm on both sides. When I set it up and connect to my server for remote access, I'm creating a VPN tunnel between the device I'm on and my server. That connection is secure and it treats me as if I'm on my network. The traffic between my device and the server is encrypted/secure, so whatever public wi-fi I'm on will see what I'm connected to, but not what is being transmitted.
If I were to then open a browser and start surfing the web, all of that traffic between my server and whatever sites I'm visiting works like normal. Where I'm a little confused is what happens when the data is stored on my server that I access remotely.
For instance, say I have a folder of home videos that I would normally access through Jellyfin while at home. If I'm on my home network, I can disconnect the modem and view them like normal. There's nothing going out externally. However, if I'm accessing it remotely the data has to go out externally. Does that traffic simply go through the VPN tunnel? Meaning the public wi-fi I'm on will see I'm connected but not the contents of the data being transmitted, and my server's ISP will see a device is connected and data is being transmitted - but not the contents? I think yes, but would appreciate confirmation or feedback.
I have a basic understanding of commercial VPNs. I connect which creates a VPN tunnel to their server. It treats me as if I'm on that network. The data that is transmitted between and their server and me is encrypted/secure. My ISP will see I'm connected to that server but not the contents of the data. Anything I do while connected to the VPN, I guess past that endpoint, works like normal and isn't necessarily secure.
I'm comparing that to the built-in wireguard for unRAID and get a little confused because I'm on both sides. When I set it up and connect to my server for remote access, I'm creating a VPN tunnel between the device I'm on and my server. That connection is secure and it treats me as if I'm on my network. The traffic between my device and the server is encrypted/secure, so whatever public wi-fi I'm on will see what I'm connected to, but not what is being transmitted.
If I were to then open a browser and start surfing the web, all of that traffic between my server and whatever sites I'm visiting works like normal. Where I'm a little confused is what happens when the data is stored on my server that I access remotely.
For instance, say I have a folder of home videos that I would normally access through Jellyfin while at home. If I'm on my home network, I can disconnect the modem and view them like normal. There's nothing going out externally. However, if I'm accessing it remotely the data has to go out externally. Does that traffic simply go through the VPN tunnel? Meaning the public wi-fi I'm on will see I'm connected but not the contents of the data being transmitted, and my server's ISP will see a device is connected and data is being transmitted - but not the contents? I think yes, but would appreciate confirmation or feedback.