orphelinkVersion 1.1.4

Topology

Create and manage Site-to-Site, LAN-to-LAN, and Exit Node connections, including site, node, neighbor, routing, and DNS settings.

OrpheLink provides several core capabilities for building secure and flexible connections across different network environments:

  • Site-to-Site Connection: Establishes secure connections between different sites.
  • LAN-to-LAN Connection: Connects local networks across different locations.
  • Exit Node: Designates a specific node as a traffic exit so other nodes can route traffic through it.

All connections between nodes use TLS 1.3 and QUIC.

To let administrators move from the overall network down to an individual node's connections, OrpheLink uses a three-layer topology. The first layer manages sites, the second shows the nodes inside a site, and the third focuses on a single node's neighbors and routing behavior. The following sections walk through these layers in order.

Layer 1: Site Topology

Site Topology is the first layer of OrpheLink's three-layer topology. Use it to create the overall site structure, assign nodes, configure Tunnel IPs and Exit Nodes, track inter-node tunnels, and view discovered local networks. Click Edit to change node behavior, advanced routing policies, and network bypass rules.

OrpheLink site topology overview

Opening the nodes in a site from the topology

Editing nodes, tunnel IPs, and neighbor settings in a site

The main settings available at this layer are:

NameDescription
Topology of SiteDisplays the current sites and their connections.
Add Tunnel SubnetCreates a tunnel subnet range for the overlay network. When a node's Tunnel IP is set to Auto, OrpheLink allocates an address from this range for its P2P connection.
Add Self Own Relay nodeCreates a self-hosted relay node with a public IP and configurable transmission rate limits.
Add siteCreates a site, assigns nodes, designates an exit node and Tunnel IPs, defines neighbor connections, and adds LANs.
Enable OrpheLinkWhen enabled, the node automatically establishes its P2P connection after a restart. When disabled, the connection must be established manually after a restart.
Exit nodeDesignates the node as an exit point. Nodes with Route to Exit enabled send their traffic through this exit node before it is forwarded.
SNATAppears only when Exit Node is enabled. Enabling SNAT masks internal source IPs behind the exit node for plug-and-play connectivity. Disabling it preserves original device IPs so upstream firewalls can perform granular traffic auditing.
Tunnel Subnet / Tunnel IPDefines the virtual CIDR range used for internal P2P routing. Auto lets the system allocate addresses to prevent conflicts; Manual lets you specify the CIDR.

In the site topology, the following icons distinguish sites, exit nodes, regular nodes, and clients:

TypeIcon
SiteSite icon
Exit nodeExit node icon
NodeRegular node icon
ClientsClient icon

Layer 2: Nodes in Site

Nodes in Site is the second layer of OrpheLink's three-layer topology. Click Nodes in Site to list every managed node assigned to the site. Hover over or select a node to view its live status, and click Edit to configure node behavior, advanced routing policies, and network environment rules.

Nodes in a site

Node topology within a site

Node live status panel

Node settings, Service White List, and environment rules

The main node settings available at this layer are:

NameDescription
Enable OrpheLinkControls data-plane connectivity. On by default, it activates all secure P2P tunnel links. Turning it off suspends P2P communication while leaving the control plane active, so the node remains manageable from the dashboard.
Authentication to AccessEnforces zero-trust access. Cross-node access is intercepted by a dynamic login page, and users must authenticate before reaching the node.
Node discoveryEnabling it improves NAT traversal, but a firewall may flag the resulting connection as suspicious. When disabled, NAT traversal uses an O'Prueba relay node or a customer-owned relay node.
Relay TransportWhen enabled, traffic can be forwarded through a relay node if a direct connection fails. When disabled, relay forwarding is not allowed.
Enable On BootControls tunnel behavior after a device restarts or powers on. On by default, it restores the P2P connection automatically. When disabled, tunnels remain offline after startup.
Service White ListConfigures allowed TCP or UDP service ports, such as Remote Desktop, SSH, or web applications. When enabled, only listed ports can communicate between devices, reducing unnecessary network exposure and strengthening SD-WAN security.
Environment RulesConfigures a WAN Subnet Bypass Rule for split tunneling. For example, traffic from a branch office at 172.16.1.x to headquarters at 10.10.1.x can continue over an existing VPN instead of the OrpheLink tunnel.

Layer 3: Neighbor of Node

Neighbor of Node is the third layer of OrpheLink's three-layer topology and focuses on a single node's connections. Use it to inspect peers, configure Route to Exit, select a route mode, and apply custom DNS settings.

Neighbor status and connection details for the selected node

Route to Exit, Route Mode, and Custom DNS settings for neighbors

The main connection and routing settings available at this layer are:

NameDescription
NeighborsDisplays the peers connected to the selected node.
Route to ExitSelect an exit node and enable this option to route device traffic through that specific gateway.
Route ModeAll Traffic sends all network traffic through the exit node. Specific Subnets sends only the subnet ranges you define.
Custom DNSAvailable only in All Traffic mode. When enabled, custom DNS settings are sent and applied to the node; deleting the Link also removes those settings from the device. Disabling it stops custom DNS propagation.

Setup Scenario

After understanding the three topology layers, the following cross-site example shows how they come together in an actual deployment. Consider devices in different locations, even across different countries, whose clients are behind NAT and use private IP addresses. Using OrpheLink, these devices can communicate securely through a tunnel, enabling direct data transfer across NAT boundaries.

Site-to-Site scenario diagram

LocationNameAgent TypeWAN IPLANClient
HQFAE-1164-208BinaryCable; 192.168.100.74192.168.208.0/24Ubuntu 24.04 Server; 192.168.208.2
LabKSH-4010Container5G Network; 10.139.28.25192.168.1.0/24EstiNet Switch; 192.168.1.200
FactoryFAE-PC-205ContainerCable; 172.30.1.205N/AN/A
PortableFAE-Dongle1BinaryWi-Fi; 192.168.210.6192.168.106.0/24Laptop MSI

Configuration Steps

  1. Log in to OrpheLink and open Inventory. Inventory menu in OrpheLink
  2. Verify that your OrpheAgent devices are listed. OrpheAgent devices listed in inventory
  3. Click the OrpheLink icon to configure links. OrpheLink icon to set links

    !NOTE Any OrpheAgent devices that have not yet been configured will be placed in the Ungroup site by default. Ungroup site containing unconfigured devices

  4. Click on the Ungroup icon to see the number of OrpheAgent devices inside. Number of OrpheAgent devices in Ungroup site
  5. Click Add site. Add site button
  6. Add four sites named HQ, Lab, Factory, and Portable, then click Save. Add four sites and save
  7. Click the HQ site and then click the Edit icon to add a node. Edit HQ site to add node
  8. Click Add Node to add an OrpheAgent device and configure its connections. Add Node dialog
  9. Choose FAE-1164-208 from the OrpheAgent list. Choose FAE-1164-208 from OrpheAgent list
  10. Set the Tunnel IP to Auto and select a tunnel subnet. Select auto tunnel IP
  11. Click Add neighbors to choose which OrpheAgent nodes to connect to. Add neighbors for the node
  12. Click Add LANs and select the appropriate networks from the dropdown list. This configures a LAN-to-LAN connection, allowing endpoint devices to access remote OrpheAgent devices. Add LANs from dropdown list
  13. Click the Save icon. Save icon
    The connection between the HQ site and the Ungroup site occurs because node FAE-1164-208 is assigned to HQ, while its neighbors (FAE-Dongle1, KSH-4010, and FAE-PC-205) remain in the Ungroup site. Site connection between HQ and Ungroup site
  14. Configure the remaining sites and nodes using the same procedure:
    • Lab: Add node KSH-4010. Add neighbor nodes and configure LAN connections.
    • Factory: Add node FAE-PC-205. Add neighbor nodes.
    • Portable: Add node FAE-Dongle1. Add neighbor nodes and configure LAN connections. Configure remaining sites and nodes

Final Configuration Summary

After completing the setup, the resulting site topology is displayed as follows:

Complete site topology map

The Tunnel IP and LAN settings for each configured site are listed below:

SiteNodeTunnel IPLANs
HQFAE-1164-20810.254.0.4192.168.208.0/24
LabKSH-401010.254.0.2192.168.1.0/24
FactoryFAE-PC-20510.254.0.3N/A
PortableFAE-Dongle110.254.0.1192.168.106.0/24

Configuration summary of sites and nodes

Once this setup is completed, the devices are fully connected and ready to communicate.