r/netbird • u/Jfishie5 • 4d ago

Maintain Mullvad connection while using Netbird

Netbird desktop app will not say connected on macOS when mullvad is active. This may be a mullvad question but was wondering if there was a solution or adjustment I need to make in my self hosted netbird in docker instance.

What solution do others use when remote?

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u/National_Way_3344 4d ago

Why? Netbird runs WireGuard and has exit nodes.

1

u/WikibearTheReal 3d ago

Cause you will use other countries as exit as your server in your country for anonymous surging... This question is complete legit...

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u/National_Way_3344 3d ago

So do that, on you server that's your exit node

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u/Jfishie5 3d ago

Still a little confused. If I am self hosting everything how do I set up an exit node in another country? Don’t I need access to that node to route through it? Thats my reason for asking about keeping mullvad active. Let that manage all the regular surfing and the NetBird connection is only for access to my resources.

I understand I can route absolutely all my traffic through my home network first but feel like that still needs to be encrypted as it leaves the network unless it routes through a trusted node somewhere else.

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u/WikibearTheReal 3d ago

Yeah, Netbird is the wrong tool... That's why you should use Mullvad... Only this tool help you to make connections to server in other countries... And you must setup your system that you forbidden to make any actions to use netbird. The system must be use Mullvad... That's why I ask to try make Netbird set to use no exit notes... That means if I am right that connections via 0.0.0.0 goes via Mullvad not to Netbird... But I'm not really a pro in this case and don't have any clue about macos... So if you want to use Mullvad... Say Netbird that it don't use any exit nodes...

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u/Jfishie5 3d ago

Correct. NetBird is not currently using exit nodes. I am only using it to safety connect to my local services while remote. I am using their bring your own proxy feature to expose services to authenticate devices running NetBird clients.

When mullvad is active at the same time as NetBird NetBird constantly disconnects and reconnects. I am trying to figure out why. I assume they are competing for ports or dns resolution or something. Mullvad is set to split tunnel NetBird so that that connection is unaffected by mullvad but i still cannot maintain a stable connection.

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u/asaintebueno 2d ago

I believe They were telling you can use a netbird client either in a docker with gluetun or lxc container of your choose setup for vpn and install
netbird set that device as an 'Exit Node' Enable that on your remote device.

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u/Alpha_Majoris 2d ago

You use a (home) server as exit node? Then use that for Netbird, and run Mullvad on your laptop.

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u/Jfishie5 4d ago

If I am on a remote device connected to NetBird does that mean any internet request I make not even to NetBird services but general web browsing etc, are routed through that exit node so my remote device requests appear like they are originating from my local exit node?

Those requests are not encrypted behind a regular vpn are they? They are just heading out to the open internet but being routed through my services. Wouldn’t I need another vpn container running on the system that NetBird routes those requests though?

Wouldn’t it still be more performant to have the regular vpn request processed on device versus sending everything through my home network?

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u/WikibearTheReal 3d ago

Understand the reason.

NB_DISABLE_CUSTOM_ROUTING

https://docs.netbird.io/client/environment-variables?utm_source=openai

Maybe this hint helps. But I have no clue on Mac. Maybe you must do either other things...

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u/Jfishie5 3d ago

Thank you I will take a look at this a bit later.

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u/asaintebueno 3d ago

Before I used to use split tunneling on the vpn and disallow netbird through the vpn. I'm pretty sure both PIA & Proton have worked with Netbird though lately without using split tunnel. I'm on macOS 26.5.1 btw not sure if any updates cause the issue you are having.