Greetings All,
After drooling over it for a while now I have decided to build a XBMC HTPC. My goal is to make it as "Appliance" like as possible as to not upset the wife. This issue I have is that I have both a dedicated VPN router (buffalo box using DDWRT and openvpn in client mode connecting to Witopia vpn svc) for use with streaming services (Netflix/Amazon) and another router for everyday traffic such as internet surfing and my stateside slingbox streams. I have to use a VPN as I am an American living abroad and use American streaming services. My computers all have dual nework ports so I can connect to both routers so connecting them isnt a problem...the issue is routing the streaming services to the VPN whilst keep all other internet functions going to the normal internet (the reason this is an issue is I have DSL and only have a 16Mbps download normally...using the VPN cuts it downs further to about 3Mbps). I have a couple of ideas on solutions but I am not sure what would be both functional and keep XBMC's appliance like feel. Some of my solutions include:
1. Installing a VM that runs Playon on the HTPC and run a playon server that streams the online services to the HTPCs front end. Barring that (if my HTPC isnt powerful enough to run both XBMC and a VM) I could install a VM on my gaming rig and stream from there.
2. Another thing I thought might work is setting up some kind of DSL-->Cisco-->>VPN--->All my other equipment setup (currently I run a DSL lines to both my cisco router and my dedicated VPN router) Then I would need to set up advanced routing tables which I have never done but think I could teach myself how to do.
3. I could also just hook up my VPN line only and not be able to use the slingplayer type app xmbc has (but I really really wanna have slingplayer since I figure I only have another year or two before my slingcatchers die).
4. Use something in XBMC to run some kind of batch file that disables the Internet NIC and enables the VPN NIC and vice versa when I want to use the streaming services (leaning towards this option).
So what I am looking for is the communities ideas on the above setups or if you think you have a better solution I havent thought of I would love to hear it...Thank you and have a wonderful day![Big Grin]( "Big Grin")
P.S. The reason I use a hardware VPN versus a software one is that my non-computer electronics need to use it IE Blu-ray player w/ Amazon, Wii, playstation, etc etc. I figured I may as well use the VPN router for the HTPC but would be open to utilizing a software version on my HTPC if someone knows an easier way of doing what I am trying to do.
After drooling over it for a while now I have decided to build a XBMC HTPC. My goal is to make it as "Appliance" like as possible as to not upset the wife. This issue I have is that I have both a dedicated VPN router (buffalo box using DDWRT and openvpn in client mode connecting to Witopia vpn svc) for use with streaming services (Netflix/Amazon) and another router for everyday traffic such as internet surfing and my stateside slingbox streams. I have to use a VPN as I am an American living abroad and use American streaming services. My computers all have dual nework ports so I can connect to both routers so connecting them isnt a problem...the issue is routing the streaming services to the VPN whilst keep all other internet functions going to the normal internet (the reason this is an issue is I have DSL and only have a 16Mbps download normally...using the VPN cuts it downs further to about 3Mbps). I have a couple of ideas on solutions but I am not sure what would be both functional and keep XBMC's appliance like feel. Some of my solutions include:
1. Installing a VM that runs Playon on the HTPC and run a playon server that streams the online services to the HTPCs front end. Barring that (if my HTPC isnt powerful enough to run both XBMC and a VM) I could install a VM on my gaming rig and stream from there.
2. Another thing I thought might work is setting up some kind of DSL-->Cisco-->>VPN--->All my other equipment setup (currently I run a DSL lines to both my cisco router and my dedicated VPN router) Then I would need to set up advanced routing tables which I have never done but think I could teach myself how to do.
3. I could also just hook up my VPN line only and not be able to use the slingplayer type app xmbc has (but I really really wanna have slingplayer since I figure I only have another year or two before my slingcatchers die).
4. Use something in XBMC to run some kind of batch file that disables the Internet NIC and enables the VPN NIC and vice versa when I want to use the streaming services (leaning towards this option).
So what I am looking for is the communities ideas on the above setups or if you think you have a better solution I havent thought of I would love to hear it...Thank you and have a wonderful day
P.S. The reason I use a hardware VPN versus a software one is that my non-computer electronics need to use it IE Blu-ray player w/ Amazon, Wii, playstation, etc etc. I figured I may as well use the VPN router for the HTPC but would be open to utilizing a software version on my HTPC if someone knows an easier way of doing what I am trying to do.