Connection Methods
YouIn order to reach our services, you will need to choose a connection method for reaching our services.method. The primary and strongly preferred method for connectingis to use our services is through a virtual private network (VPN)which usingwe run with software called ZeroTier. ThereThe only other method is anotherto optionuse our WAN IP Whitelist but this method has several limitations and is only intended for connectingspecific but it has limited support.use-cases. Both of these methodsmethod are briefly explained below.
ZeroTier VPN
Our VPN allows for direct, peer-to-peer communication between any of our services and your device. This means there is almost no latency overhead (even less in rare circumstances), all data is encrypted, and only those we authorize can access our services. Only communication between a client (one of your devices) and a server is possible, meaning other users of the VPN cannot directly see or interact with your device over the VPN.
Seeing the term "VPN" may cause some concern for the privacy and security of your internet activity while connected. These concerns are mostly a result of the unfortunate misuse of the VPN term by popular "VPN providers." If you have any questions or concerns about using the VPN, please please please reach out directly to me (Max). I will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
WAN IP Whitelist
Under certain circumstances,circumstances or for specific use-cases, it may not be possible to use the ZeroTier VPN client. In such cases, or if latency is of upmost importance for your needs, you can register your public IP on our IP Whitelist.
There are two important caveats to using the IP Whitelist. The first is that you will not have access to some internal services, including the Wiki. As previously mentioned, access to the wiki is a crucial toolnecessary for findingusing informationmost aboutof serversour and you will need to use it,services, so you will need at least one device with wikiVPN access for this purpose (you can install ZeroTier on your phone if needed).purpose. The second is that anyone with a dynamic WAN IP is not allowed to use this method. If your IP is dynamic but infrequently changes then that is perfectly fine, but if you have a cellular WAN connection, you're behind a CGNAT, or your IP changes frequently, then you will not be allowed to whitelist your address. IP ranges will not be whitelisted.
If none of that made sense to you, use the VPN.
Now would be a good time to reach out to me (Max) with any questions you may have. Once you're ready to get connected, proceed to the next page.