General questions about VPN function on MERCUSYS Router

Q1. What is VPN?

A1: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It allows you to securely and privately access the internet or remote networks through an encrypted connection, often called a VPN tunnel. A VPN can be used for enhanced security, privacy protection, and remote access.

Enhanced Security: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, keeping your data safe from eavesdropping and unauthorized access.

Privacy Protection: By masking your IP address and location, a VPN helps prevent websites, advertisers, and malicious actors from tracking your online activities.

Remote Access: A VPN offers a secure access to your home or office network from anywhere, enabling access to shared files, printers, or other network resources.

Q2 What is VPN kill switch?

A2: VPN Kill Switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects your client’s internet connection if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents your real IP address or unencrypted data from being exposed, ensuring continuous privacy and security even when the VPN connection is interrupted.

Q3. How to select the VPN functions on MERCUSYS routers

A3: MERCUSYS routers offer two types of VPN functions: VPN client and VPN server.

VPN client allows users to connect to a VPN server, establishing a secure connection for accessing resources.

VPN server acts as a gateway, accepting client connections and providing secure access to a network.

The table below lists common user scenarios.

User Requirement	What router acts as
Connecting to a third-party VPN service (such as NordVPN) to hide the IP address.	VPN Client
Enhancing security and privacy when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Enabling anonymous browsing and protection against online tracking or surveillance.
Securely accessing company or home network resources from remote locations.
Providing secure remote access to company networks for work-from-home employees.	VPN Server
Enabling secure access to home network resources from anywhere
Creating a secure network environment forloT devices at home

Note: Some router models may only support VPN server function.

Q4. What VPN protocols do MERCUSYS routers support?

A4: MERCUSYS routers support multiple VPN protocols, including PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN and WireGuard, with compatibility varying by model.

Please find your product [Specifications] at the official website for more details.

Find your Product - MERCUSYS

Or you can contact MERCUSYS Technical Support for accurate information regarding VPN protocol support for your specific model.

Q5. How to set up VPN with MERCUSYS routers

A5: Please refer to the following FAQs to set up your VPN connections:

Models	VPN
Wi-Fi Router	For VPN Client: How to set up WireGuard VPN on MERCUSYS wireless router For VPN Server: How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers How to use PPTP VPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers How to use VPN Client to access a remote VPN Server
Halo	For VPN Client: How to set up VPN Client on Halo For VPN Server: How to set up WireGuard VPN Server on Halo How to set up OpenVPN Server on Halo How to set up PPTP VPN Server on Halo How to set up L2TP/IPSec VPN Server on Halo
5G/4G Router	For VPN Client: How to set up VPN client feature on MERCUSYS 5G/4G Wi-Fi Router For VPN Server: How to set up OpenVPN Server on MERCUSYS 5G/4G Wi-Fi Router How to set up PPTP VPN Server on MERCUSYS 5G/4G Wi-Fi Router How to set up L2TP VPN Server on MERCUSYS 5G/4G Wi-Fi Router How to set up IPSec VPN on MERCUSYS 5G Wi-Fi router

Q6. What should I do if VPN doesn't work on my MERCUSYS router?

A6: Please refer to following FAQs to troubleshoot.

What should I do if VPN Client doesn't work on my MERCUSYS router?

What should I do if VPN Server doesn't work on my MERCUSYS router?

Q7. Can I use a VPN to access the entire network from both the VPN server and client sides on MERCUSYS routers?

A7: No. This type of two-way access is generally supported in a site-to-site VPN. The MERCUSYS routers support client-to-server VPN connections, meaning the VPN client can access the network behind the VPN server, but the server cannot access the client’s network.

Q8. Do MERCUSYS routers work with a third party VPN service?

A8: MERCUSYS routers support VPN connections using standard VPN protocols (e.g., PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard). For certain custom VPN services that require proprietary VPN client software, please check compatibility with your VPN provider, as MERCUSYS cannot guarantee full compatibility.

Q9. Can I use VPN to bypass geographical restrictions with a MERCUSYS router?

A9: Yes, a VPN can help you bypass geographical restrictions. By routing your internet traffic through a server located in another region, it makes it appear as if you are accessing the internet from that location, allowing access to region-restricted content or services.

Note: The use of VPNs may be legally restricted in some countries or regions. We recommend using VPN services in compliance with local laws and regulations.

Q10. How many devices can I connect to a VPN Server running on MERCUSYS routers?

A10: When setting up a TP-Link router as a PPTP or L2TP/IPSec server, you can create a total of 16 accounts. However, only 10 accounts are allowed to connect to the VPN server online at a time, with one device per account.

For WireGuard you can have a maximum of 16 concurrent connections.

For OpenVPN, the maximum number of concurrent connections is limited to 10.

Q11. Can I still use the VPN function with the main Halo if the satellite Halo does not support the VPN function?

A11: Yes, you can still use the VPN function with the Main Halo even if the satellite Halo does not support it. The VPN feature will work when enabled on the Main Halo.

Q12. Can I configure a separate DNS server address when using a VPN connection on MERCUSYS Router?

A12: Currently, MERCUSYS routers do not support the configuration of a separate DNS server address when using a VPN connection.