NordVPN today launched Meshnet, a new option included in the company’s NordVPN application. Meshnet allows users to connect directly to other devices owned by themselves or family members, friends or coworkers.
NordVPN highlights three main use cases for meshnet:
- Internet traffic routing – Internet traffic can be routed through any connected device, for example, a family member’s laptop at home, a work PC that is online all the time, or a friend’s device. Traffic routing is only available on Linux and Windows machines at the time of writing.
- Gaming – Meshnet is a virtual LAN network, which means all connected devices can play LAN games without the use of LAN cables or having to be in the same location.
- File Sharing – Users can send or receive files using MeshNet.
Many modern computer games require Internet connectivity for multiplayer. Most older games and even some newer games support LAN connections for multiplayer, some support LAN, but no Internet multiplayer. Programs such as Hamachi and other virtual LAN applications were used in the past to play LAN games online. MeshNet adds a new option to the list of services providing the functionality.
Meshnet is already included in the latest version of the NordVPN application. It is based on NordLynx, NordVPN’s protocol, and linked devices are limited to 60 total. 10 devices can be owned by a NordVPN customer, up to 50 can be external devices of other NordVPN users.
A click on the Meshnet icon in the desktop version loads introductory pages that explain the feature. Devices are identified by a unique “Nord” name and a custom IP address that is assigned to each device.
NordVPN highlights the dangers of routing traffic through another device, namely, that activity can be monitored and other people’s traffic routed through the device appears to the Internet service provider as the user.
MeshNet displays all devices, customer controlled devices and external devices on the screen. Here are the options for linking new devices. Setup and most configuration is handled automatically by the NordVPN application, making setup quite simple.
concluding words
NordVPN MeshNet adds a new feature to NordVPN, giving customers new options in addition to connecting to a VPN server. The service is free and 60 devices is generous and enough for many use cases.
File sharing, gaming and internet access are the three main use cases when it comes to Meshnet. One of the main downsides is that the new service requires all users to have a NordVPN account and subscription to use it. Although this is not a problem for devices that the customer owns, it can be a hindrance for gaming or file sharing.
View meshnet page nordvpn website For additional information. Meshnet is the second major service that NordVPN launches in 2022. The first was threat protection.
now you:What is your opinion on Meshnet?
