Routing traffic in Meshnet
Learn how to use the traffic routing feature of Meshnet on all compatible operating systems.
In today's shrinking world, remote work is becoming more popular. Having instant access to your home IP address from any place in the world can open heaps of possibilities. For example, you can access IP-restricted work or online resources from anywhere. However, the process of setting up remote access to your home IP address can take time and effort. From setting up a VPN server in your home to configuring VPN client software on your devices — the preparation process can get tiresome swiftly. With Meshnet’s traffic routing feature, you can have access to your home IP address with a click of a button.
Alternatively, you can have a virtual private server (VPS) located in another country. Traffic routing allows you to gain the IP address of your VPS by routing your internet through it. This makes accessing IP-restricted or geo-restricted websites a breeze.
This article covers information about the functionality of traffic routing and includes instructions on how it can be used on all compatible operating systems.
The traffic routing feature of Meshnet gives you the ability to route all of your internet traffic via a compatible peer device. When you initiate a connection to the peer device, it is established using NordLynx technology. The usage of this VPN protocol results in a fast, safe, and encrypted connection between the peer devices.
When routing traffic, you get assigned the public IP address of the host device and connect to the internet using it instead of your standard IP address. The host device acts as a VPN server.
The diagram above illustrates the following configuration flow:
- 1.A mobile device has a public IP of
185.61.156.14. - 2.Then, it routes traffic through the home computer with a public IP of
45.92.11.187. - 3.After that, it is assigned the home computer’s IP address of
45.92.11.187. - 4.Lastly, it reaches the internet using the public IP address of
45.92.11.187.
Traffic routing is available even when the host device is connected to a VPN server. In such cases, instead of the IP address given by the internet service provider (ISP), you will be assigned the IP address of the VPN server to which the host is connected.
Additionally, traffic routing can be chained between several devices. This means that you can route traffic through a peer device that is already routing traffic through another device.
With local network permissions enabled, traffic routing allows you to access the local network of your host device. While traffic routing is active, your device can interact with devices on the host’s LAN. You can communicate with them using their standard local IP addresses. The devices can vary from routers and cameras to network-attached storage (NAS) systems or a home server.
To reach any device on your home network, you must first know its LAN IP address. Once you have that information, you can reach it using the same methods as if your devices were physically connected to the same network.
This feature is especially useful if you want to manage your home devices while being away. All you need is a traffic routing-capable device in the network. By routing traffic through this device, you can remotely manage all devices on your local subnet.
Using the model above as an example, you can route the internet traffic from your laptop through the computer in your home network. Then, to access the web interface of the local server, enter its LAN IP address into your internet browser, as shown:
The traffic routing feature is available on all devices that are compatible with Meshnet. However, due to technical limitations, not all devices allow internet traffic routing through them. This is why the devices are classified into two categories — hosts and clients.
Hosts are devices that can route traffic. Traffic routing is possible through devices running the following platforms:
- Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11
- Linux
Note
The App Store version of NordVPN doesn't provide the required functionality for your device to act as a traffic routing host.
Only the devices mentioned above will appear in the Devices in Meshnet section of the connection menu in the Windows or the macOS NordVPN app.
On iOS and Android, the host devices are displayed in Meshnet’s Route traffic menu.
Client devices are those that rely on host devices to route traffic. Any device using Meshnet can act as a client. All of these devices are visible on the Your devices and External devices tabs of the Meshnet menu.
To start using the Traffic routing feature, the host device owner must enable the Traffic routing through your device permission for the client device. To learn more, see Traffic routing permissions.
Windows
Android
iOS
macOS
Linux
To start routing traffic on Windows, follow these steps:
- 1.Open NordVPN and select the Meshnettab.
- 2.Click the Route traffic card.
- 3.Find the host device that you want to use and click Route all traffic.
Upon connecting, the peer device’s section in the traffic routing menu will change the background color from white to blue.
Alternatively, you can do the following:
- 1.Open NordVPN and expand the connection menu.
- 2.Locate the Devices in Meshnet section.
- 3.Click the device that you want to route traffic through.
Once connected, you will see the host device’s Nord name on the main application page.
Additionally, you can check your new IP address and the ISP by hovering your mouse cursor over the Meshnet peer device icon.
To stop traffic routing, you can use the following methods:
- Click the Disconnectbutton on the main application page.
- Click the Stop routing button on the Meshnettab.
Note
Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.
To start routing traffic on Android, follow these steps:
- 1.Open NordVPN and select the Meshnettab at the bottom.
- 2.Tap Route traffic.
- 3.Find the device that you want to use as a host and tap it.
Upon establishing the connection, the peer device’s section in the traffic routing menu will change the background color from white to blue.
Alternatively, you can do the following:
- 1.Open NordVPN and tap Traffic routing.
- 2.Find the host device that you want to use and tap it.
Once connected, you will see the host device’s Nord name on the main application page.
To stop traffic routing, you can use the following methods:
- Tap the Disconnect button on the main application page.
- Tap the host device in the Route traffic menu.
Note
Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.
To start routing traffic on iOS, follow these steps:
- 1.Open NordVPN and select the Meshnettab at the bottom.
- 2.Tap Route traffic.
- 3.Find the host device that you want to use and tap it.
Upon establishing the connection, the device’s icon will change.
Alternatively, you can do the following:
- 1.Open NordVPN and tap Traffic routing.
- 2.Find the device that you want to use as a host and tap it.
Once connected, you will see the host device’s Nord name on the main application page.
To stop traffic routing, you can use the following methods:
- Tap the Disconnect button on the main application page.
- Tap on the host device in the Route traffic menu.
Note
Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.
To start routing traffic on macOS, follow these steps:
- 1.Open NordVPN and select the Meshnettab.
- 2.Find the device that you want to use as a host and click Route all traffic.
Upon connecting, the Route all traffic label will change to Stop routing traffic.
Alternatively, you can do the following:
- 1.Open the NordVPN app.
- 2.In the connection menu, find the Devices in Meshnet section.
- 3.Select either Your devices or External devices, and click the device that you want to route traffic through.
Once connected, you will see the host device’s Nord name on the main application page.
To stop traffic routing, you can use any of the following methods:
- Click the Disconnect button on the main application page.
- Click Stop routing traffic under the host device name on the Meshnettab.
Note
Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.
To start routing traffic on Linux, follow these steps:
- 1.Open the terminal.
- 2.Run the following command to list your Meshnet peers:nordvpn meshnet peer list
- 3.Note the Nord name of the host device you want to route traffic through.
- 4.Run the following command, replacing
<NordName>with the device’s Nord name or Meshnet IP.nordvpn meshnet peer connect <NordName>
You can also check the connection status by using this command:
nordvpn status
To stop traffic routing, run one of the following commands in the terminal:
nordvpn disconnect
nordvpn d
Refer to our documentation on traffic routing use cases for further information:
Last modified 6d ago