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Installing and Configuring OpenVPN (Ubuntu)

For Cloud Servers, Dedicated Servers and Server Power Deals managed in the Cloud Panel

To use a VPN, you have to install the OpenVPN software on the local PC and then configure it. In the Access section, you can download a zip file with the necessary configuration file. To install and configure OpenVPN:

Installing OpenVPN

Requirements
  • You have administrator rights.

  • You have already created a VPN in the Cloud Panel.

  • You have logged in to your local PC.

  • To update Ubuntu, enter the following commands:

    [root@localhost ~]# sudo apt update
    [root@localhost ~]# sudo apt-get upgrade

  • To download OpenVPN, enter the following command:

    [root@localhost ~]# sudo apt install openvpn


    The following message will be displayed:

    The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
      libdumbnet1 libnetplan0 python3-netifaces
    Use 'apt autoremove' to remove them.
    The following additional packages will be installed:
      libpkcs11-helper1
    Suggested packages:
      easy-rsa resolvconf
    The following NEW packages will be installed:
      libpkcs11-helper1 openvpn
    0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
    Need to get 514 kB of archives.
    After this operation, 1,274 kB of additional disk space will be used.
    Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 

  • Enter Y.

OpenVPN is installed.

Configuring OpenVPN

To configure OpenVPN:

  • Log in to your IONOS account.

  • Click Menu > Server & Cloud in the title bar.
    Optional: Select the desired Server & Cloud contract.

    The Cloud Panel opens.

  • Click Network > VPN in the navigation bar on the left.

  • Activate the desired VPN.

  • In the section Access, click Download to download the configuration files.

  • Save the zip-file.

Note

This zip file contains the configuration file.

  • Extract the zip file to the desired folder.

  • Copy the OpenVPN configuration file (e.g. vpn1234B_1.ovpn) to the installation directory.

Note

OpenVPN is installed by default in the /etc/openvpn directory.

  • To start OpenVPN, enter the following command: 

    [root@localhost ~]# openvpn /etc/openvpn/<vpnID>.ovpn

    Example

    [root@localhost ~]# openvpn /etc/openvpn/vpn45BC7_1.ovpn

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