I like traveling, but I have never been particularly fond of carrying too much stuff.A laptop, its charger, a few essentials, and a bag that does not feel like I am moving house are enough for me.Unfortunately, working remotely can complicate that plan.
Hotel Wi-Fi is unpredictable, public networks are a privacy concern, and accessing my home lab while I am away requires a little preparation.Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover Over time, I have settled on three networking tools that cover practically everything I need when I travel.This setup is more practical than carrying spare networking equipment or trying to build a portable home lab.
The GL.iNet travel router gives me control over hotel Wi-Fi I can keep my devices on a network I control Close Hotel Wi-Fi can be a pain, particularly when I need a reliable connection for work.Some networks require a captive portal login.Others limit the number of connected devices, and some have coverage that seems to disappear the moment I move away from the reception desk.
I prefer having my own networking equipment between my devices and whatever network I happen to be using.My GL.iNet Slate AX router solves most of these problems.I can connect it to the hotel’s Wi-Fi and create my own private wireless network for my laptop, phone, and other devices.
Instead of connecting everything individually to an unfamiliar network, I connect my devices to the router and manage the connection from one place.GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router A small travel router that can fit in your pocket so that you (and it) can go anywhere.It supports Wi-Fi 6 and has a few Ethernet ports for wired devices.
See at Amazon Expand Collapse I particularly like that I can keep my usual network configuration while traveling.My devices can connect to the same SSID they use at home, so I do not have to reconnect everything whenever I change locations.The Slate AX also supports VPN clients, firewall configuration, and other networking features that give me greater control over how my devices connect to the internet.
For someone who travels with a laptop and a phone, I think this is one of the most useful pieces of networking equipment to pack.It is small enough to fit in my bag, and I can leave the rest of my networking gear at home.Related 7 Features to Look for in a Travel Router You need to travel with the right companions for the best trips.
Posts By Sydney Butler My Baseus Adaman Metal power bank keeps the router running One affordable battery can power multiple devices A travel router is useful when there is nowhere convenient to plug it in.I do not like carrying a separate charger for every device, so I prefer a power bank that can keep my phone and networking gear running.I use the Baseus Adaman Metal 22.5W power bank, which has a 20,000mAh capacity.
It is also relatively cheap, making it a practical choice for my travel setup.I can easily carry it in my carry-on baggage, as its approximately 74Wh capacity is below the standard 100Wh limit.I use it to power my GL.iNet Slate AX through USB-C while keeping some capacity available to charge my phone.
I think the extra capacity is worth carrying.I would rather pack one affordable power bank that serves multiple purposes than carry several dedicated power supplies.It is one more item in my bag, but it helps me leave other accessories at home, which fits the way I prefer to travel.
Related My 6 Favorite Portable Peripherals for Laptops Don't get caught without these.Posts 1 By Nick Lewis A Headscale exit node brings my home network along I can route my traffic through my home connection The first two tools handle my local connection and power.The third gives me a way to use my home internet connection while I am away, without bringing any additional physical equipment.
My GL.iNet Slate AX is compatible with Tailscale, which gives me another reason to like this router for travel.I can use it with my self-hosted Headscale network to connect to my home infrastructure.Headscale is an open-source implementation of the Tailscale control server, allowing me to manage my own network without relying on Tailscale’s hosted coordination server.
With a suitable machine running at home, I can configure it as an exit node and route my internet traffic through my home connection while traveling.Once configured, this lets me access my home network and have websites see my home connection’s public IP address instead of the address assigned by a hotel or café.I think this is one of the most useful additions to a lightweight travel setup.
My router handles the local connection, while the Headscale network gives me access to resources at home.I can keep using the services and infrastructure I already have without carrying another computer or networking device in my bag.Another benefit is that this setup works behind many ordinary NAT configurations without requiring me to manually configure aport forward.
Devices often establish direct connections when possible and can use DERP relays when direct connectivity is unavailable.Related 5 free Wi-Fi upgrades hiding in your closet, from old routers to spare PCs Buying new network gear? In this economy? Posts 1 By Monica J.White These three tools are all I need for travel I prefer a travel setup that solves real problems without turning my bag into a portable server rack.
Of course, the right arrangement depends on where I am going and what I need to do.Someone who needs multiple Ethernet connections, high-throughput VPN routing, or a cellular connection might need additional equipment.For my needs, though, I think these three tools are enough.
I get the networking capabilities I want while keeping my travel bag light, and I can leave the rest of my home lab exactly where it belongs.
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