I still don't get what's the laptop for. Why would you need VPN to access the router? Even if VPN connection fails you would still have access to router through connection without VPN, on regular port. The only time you'll ever need RS-232 cable to access the router is during the initial setup, no mater how much tinkering you do it's just not right to have laptop close to the router. People are trying to tell you out of good intentions that if for some reason you need to have them close you are doing something wrong. Just my 0.00000002 BTC.
I have my console for accessing my miner within 1m. Sometimes it is convenient to cluster your equipment.
That said, I should be getting that miner working, rather than posting here
PS: I eventually want to use an RS-232 cable to do initial setup on a second router: with tor and IPv6 support.