Port forwarding is used to allow external access to specific services running inside a private network. Since most home and lab networks use NAT (Network Address Translation), external devices cannot directly communicate with internal services unless port forwarding is configured.
In a homelab, Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is essential for accessing self-hosted services from outside the network, especially if ISP provides a dynamic public IP address, which is very common for most of the Internet users. One can avoid this by purchasing a static IP from the ISP.
Using VPN with pfSense allows you to route traffic securely through a VPN tunnel, improving privacy and security.
This guide outlines the process of configuring an OpenVPN server on pfSense to enable secure remote access to internal resources. The setup supports scenarios such as connecting back to a homelab network or routing all internet traffic through a trusted connection.
Setting up a robust firewall and gateway is a crucial step in building a secure and self-hosted environment. This guide outlines how pfSense was installed and configured in a homelab using affordable hardware and a straightforward process.