Does the new Apple TV support VPN?

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Level 1

5 points

Does the new Apple TV support VPN?

I have not read about it supporting VPN in any review, but since it's an IOS I am hopeful it might? If you have bought one and it's delivered can you tell me what are the network connection options and is VPN support available?

Thanks!

13" Unibody Mackbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Sep 30, 2010 8:14 AM

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Answer 1

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Sep 30, 2010 11:32 AM in response to KayBee

I don't have the new one yet, but it will not support VPN in it's current form.

Theoretically some form of VPN could activated but as this would most likely be used to access content in different countries I can't see it happening.

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Answer 2

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 4, 2010 10:48 PM in response to Alley_Cat

If I share my internet connection form my Macbook, that does have VPN, and connect the Apple TV on the shared connection will it work then? Could be a workaround....

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Answer 3

Oct 5, 2010 11:16 AM in response to KayBee

that's exactly what I had in mind, kaybee - the only way I can think of right now to get VPN working on the new apple tv. I'd love to hear if it works, maybe someone can try it and post back here :))

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Answer 4

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 6, 2010 9:15 PM in response to sweet-jane

My Apple TV just shipped, its being routed from Shenzen to Portland to Asia (shipping workaround to get intl. delivery).

Hopefully I'll have it in a few weeks, shall update then, let's see if someone develops good jailbreak options with VPN, then it can work right out of the box!

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Answer 5

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 20, 2010 6:32 AM in response to KayBee

Some good news...VPN works, this is what worked for me

1. A Vista PC connected to the internet via wired LAN

2. A VPN connection activated on that PC, enabled sharing that connection via wireless

3. A wireless-n dongle connected on that PC, set up an ad-hoc network, assigned a SSID

4. Voila you have created a VPN wireless hotspot!

I am having issues with HDCP with Netflix on my 2 yr old Samsung LCD panel though, hopefully once thats fixed it'll be awesome

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2010 7:42 AM in response to KayBee

KayBee, that do u think about using internal WiFi-card of laptop as I described here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2619357&tstart=0
I'll try set up an Ad-hoc network, assigned a SSID hope to see my PC in Apple TV wifi list... if not I'll have to buy USB wireless-n dongle...

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Answer 7

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 20, 2010 7:51 AM in response to Black_Suslik

I think the internal wi-fi card should work as well, my PC motherboard does not have internal wi-fi so I used a 3 year old dongle that was lying idle, thankfully it worked.

The process is the same, I used Vista to create the Ad-Hoc network, should work similarly in W7 I am assuming. I think the ad-hoc network requires someone to connect to it before it's activated, try connecting to it from your phone/laptop first, and then see if the ATV connects.

Good luck!

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Answer 8

Oct 24, 2010 6:30 PM in response to KayBee

can i use 2 wireless-n dongles instead of wired lan?

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Answer 9

Jamesss

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 10:50 PM in response to KayBee

Has trouble to use iPhone remote with such setting?

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Answer 10

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 27, 2010 10:55 PM in response to Jamesss

There should not be a problem as long as both the ATV and iPhone are on the same Wireless VPN network, works fine when I use it

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Answer 11

KayBee Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 27, 2010 10:58 PM in response to james.heng3

That's something I have not tried, am not sure how the create ad-hoc wireless network will work with 2 wireless dongles/cards.

If I manage to get 2 dongles for a trial would try it out and post

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Answer 12

Darthoto

Level 1

0 points

Oct 30, 2010 5:59 PM in response to KayBee

I´ve done that and I see the new "antena" on my iPhone and connect to it, but I dont see it on my Apple TV. I use WiTopia as my VPN and Connectify to make my PC a hotspot,there most be something on the Apple TV that doesnt see the hotspot. Has anyone had luck besides KayBee?

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Answer 13

Jamesss

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2010 9:17 AM in response to Darthoto

Try reset ur apple atv. Did ur atv automatically connected to other connection? How is you hardware being set up?

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Answer 14

sthaks

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2010 5:41 AM in response to KayBee

kaybee...can you pls help me set this up? I don't really understand your steps...my email is sonali.thakker@gmail.com am in india

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Answer 15

Dec 6, 2010 11:58 AM in response to KayBee

Hi KayBee,

To get my AppleTV to work with my VPN I did the following:

The easiest way is to get an OPENVPN account and a DD-WRT supported router. The DD-WRT supported router then acts as the client to connect to the VPN service (thus all traffic will go through the VPN - no configurations need on individual devices connected to the router).

Buffalo recently launched a series of new DD-WRT enabled (factory installed) high power router and access points: WZR-HP-G300NH, WHR-HP-G300N and WHR-HP-GN.

On the portal VPN Television http://www.vpntelevision.com I found some useful info on OPENVPN providers that support DD-WRT routers. I'm using Hide My *** VPN with OPENVPN and the Buffalo WHR-HP-G300N. I am now able to access Netflix from Europe with now problems at all : )

Some info on Buffalo & DD-WRT:
"Serving millions of users worldwide, DD-WRT is the leading Linux based alternative open source firmware for wireless routers, enabling basic entry level equipment to act like enterprise products. With DD-WRT, Buffalo’s lineup of high power routers will support professional features like VPN (PPTP, OpenVPN), VLAN (tagging), Virtual AP (multi-SSIDs for multi-connection and security), RADIUS server, hot spot support, volume quotas, iPv6 support, detailed monitoring and a host of other high-end features. Additionally, installation will be headache free with an easy setup wizard and 24/7 US-based toll free technical support. "

Good luck in your VPN + Apple TV endeavors!

Take care,

Jessica

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