Using the remote access OpenVPN VPN

An OpenVPN VPN for remote users is automatically configured the first time the instance is booted. To use the VPN, install an OpenVPN client app on a device and import a configuration that specifies how to connect to the instance.

An OpenVPN configuration can be downloaded by visiting the page /openvpn_connect_profile.php on the instance. If the instance IP address were 23.30.204.54, the correct URL to visit would be https://23.20.204.54/openvpn_connect_profile.php. Authenticate to the web interface by typing the username (admin) and password prior to being allowed to download the configuration.

The profile should be downloaded and saved automatically upon opening the page. The file that it was saved in should be imported into the OpenVPN client on the client device.

Tips for configuring OpenVPN based on platform/client

OpenVPN Connect App on iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod)

The iOS version of the OpenVPN Connect App allows importing an OpenVPN profile by opening an attachment to an email message. Save the config to a file named remote-access-vpn.ovpn and send it to an email account that the iOS device is configured to retrieve mail for. Open the email message and touch the attachment to open it. The device will present Open in OpenVPN as one of the available options. Touch the OpenVPN icon to select that option. The OpenVPN Connect App should then open and list the profile under a heading that says New profiles are available…. Click on the green ball with the + sign in it to import the profile. Type in the username, admin, and password then change the On/Off switch to On.

OpenVPN Connect App on Android

The Android version of the OpenVPN Connect App allows importing an OpenVPN profile from an SD card. Save the configuration file to the SD card. Launch the OpenVPN Connect App. From the menu, select Import, then Import Profile from SD card. Browse to the location of the configuration file and select it. Enter the username, admin, and password to connect to the VPN. Press Connect.

TunnelBlick on macOS

The TunnelBlick App for macOS allows importing an OpenVPN configuration file. Save the configuration to a file on the client device. Click on VPN Details. Click on the + symbol underneath the existing configurations to add a new configuration. Click on the I have configuration files button. Click on the OpenVPN Configuration(s) button. Follow the instructions presented by TunnelBlick (copy the config into an empty folder TunnelBlick creates on the Desktop, rename the folder, click on the folder). When the profile is imported successfully, click on its name and then click on Connect. Enter the username, admin, and password to connect to the VPN.

OpenVPN Connect Client on Windows

The OpenVPN Connect Client on Windows allows importing an OpenVPN configuration file from the local disk. Save the file on the client device. Click the + symbol to the right of Connection Profiles. Select Local File and click on the Import button. Find the profile to import in the file browser window and click Open. A box with the name of the new profile should appear under Connection Profiles now. Click on that box and enter the username, admin, and password to connect to the VPN.