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What is the preferred method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

I've been doing a lot of reading on how to go about setting up a VPN connection on Linux Ubuntu OS. My VPN is run on SoftEther so I have multiple option for making the connection.

It appears the SoftEther client for Linux would not be the easiest option.

From my research it looks like the way to go is using the L2TP/IPsec route.

I'm considering openswan. Can someone with some first hand experience please give me some input?

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

Seems like no one wants to help me out lately.. I know someone has to know how to do this...

I ended up finding a solution after getting yelled at by my wife all day for not paying attention to her, and cloning a few VM's to experiment with. So at least if anyone else has the same problem I did now they should be able to find the answer with a search in this forum.

openswan is now strongswan. So dont waist your time searching for openswan.

Ubuntu doesn't provide L2TP over IPSec support. There is a workaround for this using network-manager-l2tp. The only problem is its a PPA. I researched it and found enough info on it to have enough faith in the program to use it.

It was as easy as opening up a terminal and running 3 cmds:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nm-l2tp/network-manager-l2tpp

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt install network-manager-l2tp-gnome

(Yes, this if for Ubuntu)

After that cmd: exit and close the terminal.

Click the "wifi symbol" in the upper right corner of desktop

Click "edit connections"

Click "add"

Click "Layer 2 Tunneling Protocal (L2TP)"

Click "create"

Then enter your vpn server ip in the gateway field

Click "IPsec Settings"

Enter your pre-shared key

I was using a cellular connection when I set it up and had to connect to the vpn twice to get it to connect, so if it doesn't connect the 1st time, try it again.

If it still doesn't work try entering your username and password for the L2TP in the optional username and password fields. I didn't have to do it to get mine to work.

Source: https://launchpad.net/~nm-l2tp/+arch...k-manager-l2tp

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

Two options, do as you have done for a more GUI route or just do it through the terminal;

sudo apt-get install openvpn

sudo openvpn --config client.ovpn

Type in your authentication username/email and password and it'll connect. Just be careful though, there is no killswitch using both of your methods. I know AirVPN has a linux client with killswitch, probably the easiest to use.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

See... I just told empire-state all the tech advanced come out at night... This proves my point.. Thank you.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

;) No problem mate, LMK if you have any issues ill push you in the right direction.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

Best if you switch to CentOS, Ubuntu sucks.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

I strongly disagree for the purpose of what OP is using it for but as you wish.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

I run my VPN server on Cent6. Ubuntu is for running browser. Along with every version of windows 32 & 64.

What I'm wondering (haven't tested yet) is if any version of Linux looks different in fingerprinting results other than the difference between x32 & x64

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

I set up a VPN Kill Switch using this method.

http://www.aspkin.com/forums/ip-addr...tml#post855918

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

"sudo openvpn --config client.ovpn" produced an options error: error opening config file.

Your instruction are the same as on the openvpn site so I don't know what the issue is.

Re: What is the prefured method to connect Linux (Ubuntu) to VPN Server
 

Try this;

sudo openvpn client.ovpn

or

sudo openvpn ./client.ovpn

I forgot which one it was, been a while since I have used OVPN on Linux.