Introduction
OpenVPN is an open source application that can be used for implementing virtual private network techniques for secure connections. Its prominent features include OpenVPN Connect UI and OpenVPN client software packages that accommodate Windows, Mac and Linux distributions.
When compared to the traditional OpenVPN, installation of OpenVPN Access Server is easier. Also, it has a mobile app for Android and iOS platforms that will allow you to access your OpenVPN server on your smartphone.
Preliminary SetUp
This tutorial guides you to install OpenVPN Access Server on Ubuntu. Obviously, you will need an Ubuntu 12.04 64-bit cloud server. In case if you want, you can refer to this tutorial on Ubuntu 12.04 server set up.
Installation of OpenVPN Access Server
To begin with, login to the server using root user. Download the OpenVPN AS package using the following command:
sudo wget http://swupdate.openvpn.org/as/openvpn-as-2.0.7-Ubuntu12.amd_64.deb
Here, in this tutorial, I am using a 64-bit cloud server. In case if you have a 32-bit version, the download command would look like this:
sudo wget http://swupdate.openvpn.org/as/openvpn-as-2.0.7-Ubuntu12.i386.deb
Now that you have downloaded the OpenVPN package, let’s install it using:
dpkg -i openvpn-as-2.0.7-Ubuntu12.amd_64.deb
Installation command for 32-bit version is as follows:
dpkg -i openvpn-as-2.0.7-Ubuntu12.i386.deb
A default admin user ‘openvpn’ will be created during the installation process. You will need to set a password for the new user.
sudo passwd openvpn
Enter your secure password for user openvpn.
Administration and Client Software Setup
You can find the OpenVPN AS web interfaces at:
Admin UI: https://YourIpAddress:943/admin Client UI: https://YourIPAddress:943/
You can replace it with your server’s IP address. Now, go the Client UI for using access server. You will get a security warning which is okay to ignore. Click on OK or Proceed and you will be asked for username and password. Enter as ‘openvpn’ user with the password you set before. After logging in, you will get a screen which will look like this:
Now, you need to download the ‘OpenVPN Connect’ software by clicking its link. Once it is downloaded, you can run it. Use your login credentials and you will be connected to your OpenVPN Access Server.
You may log in to Admin UI in case if you want to make any changes to the access server.
Resources:
You can find the official Android app and iOS app for OpenVPN AS here:
OpenVPN Access Server v2.0 Release Notes
