Local network permissions
Learn the functionality of the local network permission and how to manage it in the Meshnet permission menu.
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Learn the functionality of the local network permission and how to manage it in the Meshnet permission menu.
Last updated
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The article discusses Meshnet's local network permission, the differences in functionality when the permission is enabled or disabled, and the effect it has on your peer’s device. It also provides guidance on managing the local network permission for each device on your Meshnet.
The local network permission works in tandem with . Its function is to either permit or deny access to your local network devices while a Meshnet peer is routing traffic through your device. Local network access is a supplementary feature to traffic routing, and as such, traffic routing must be enabled to make use of the LAN permission.
LAN access with traffic routing is available on the NordVPN app for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
With the local network permission enabled, your Meshnet peer can route their internet traffic through your device and interact with all of the devices that are located in the same local area network. The devices can vary from a router to a or (NAS).
As depicted in the model above, the home computer, which routes traffic, and local devices communicate through their respective LAN IP addresses. Consequently, the laptop routing traffic through the home computer can interact with all of the devices in the 192.168.1.0/24 local subnet.
Caution
Enable local network permission only for trusted devices to ensure home network and device security. Untrusted entities may cause severe damage if granted full access to your LAN devices.
When the local network permission is disabled, the Meshnet peer cannot access devices on your LAN.
Traffic routing remains functional unless otherwise configured, but it only alters the Meshnet peer’s public IP address. Should the peer attempt to connect to a local IP address, the connection will default to their LAN instead of yours.
If you want to change the status of the local network permission, you can do so for each device individually. You can also check whether your peer has enabled or disabled the permission for your device.
Local network access is enabled for your device and the linked device.
Your device can access the peer device's local network while routing traffic through it.
The peer device can access your device's local network while routing traffic through it.
Local network access is enabled for your device.
Your device cannot access the peer device's local network while routing traffic through it.
The peer device can access your device's local network while routing traffic through it.
Local network access is enabled for the linked device.
Your device can access the peer device's local network while routing traffic through it.
The peer device cannot access your device's local network while routing traffic through it.
Local network access is disabled.
Your device cannot access the peer device's local network while routing traffic through it.
The peer device cannot access your device's local network while routing traffic through it.
If you want to change the status of the local network permission, you can do so for each device individually. You can also check whether your peer has enabled or disabled the permission for your device.
To manage the local network permission, proceed with the following instructions:
Next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for, click the three-dot menu and select Manage device.
Under Traffic routing permissions, turn on or off the Access to your local network when routing traffic through your device toggle.
Open the NordVPN app. if necessary.
On the left-side menu, select the Devices in Meshnet tab.
Open the NordVPN app. if necessary.
On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet menu.
Click the More button next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
