i am looking for a secure way to connect to my unraid server from a work pc and my android phone is this possible.thanks

Most of us here VPN into our home network and access it that way.  OpenVPN seems to be the most common.  There are a few dockers/plugins to set this up

is openvpn free

Yes :-)

thanks. can anyone point me the right direction on how to do this.

The simplest way to get VPN is to use a router that supports it.

my router does support openvpn but i am struggling to get it setup. i have a netgear R8500 if any one can help with it would be great.

I had this issue last year.. Took the advice of several members and aren't $130 on an asus router. They have cheaper models but i spent more to get other features. The vpn setup took 5 mins and works flawlessly. They have an openvpn option. When I want to connect on my phone, I just open the openvpn app and connect and I'm now on my home network. I can access my server, see my security cameras, and steam through plex, though plex often takes a while to find a new server on a network.

 

i don't know what i am doing wrong i have read and watch videos but i haven't had any luck so any help would be very appreciated

Have you read thru the manual, i just looked at it and its pretty straightforward.

you need to call your ISP and find out if your have a dynamic address or a static.

 

The manual suggest  some DDNS providers if you need them.

if you want something simpler than vpn you can open a random port and fwd it to your unraid box.

 

http://portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/TELNET/

i am looking for a secure way to connect to my unraid server from a work pc and my android phone is this possible.thanks

if you want something simpler than vpn you can open a random port and fwd it to your unraid box.

 

http://portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/TELNET/

The OP said secure. Opening up a random port to telnet is NOT secure.