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Table of Contents
Introduction
To install OpenVPN on CentOS 8 server, follow these steps:
1. Update the system:
sudo yum update
2. Install the EPEL repository:
sudo yum install epel-release
3. Install OpenVPN:
sudo yum install openvpn
4. Copy the sample configuration file:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn*/sample/sample-config-files/server.conf /etc/openvpn/
5. Edit the configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/openvpn/server.conf
6. Uncomment the following lines in the configuration file:
– push “redirect-gateway def1 bypass-dhcp”
– push “dhcp-option DNS 8.8.8.8”
– push “dhcp-option DNS 8.8.4.4”
7. Generate Diffie-Hellman key exchange:
sudo openssl dhparam -out /etc/openvpn/dh2048.pem 2048
8. Start and enable the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server
9. Configure firewall rules:
sudo firewall-cmd –permanent –add-masquerade
sudo firewall-cmd –permanent –add-rich-rule=’rule family=ipv4 source address=10.8.0.0/24 masquerade’
sudo firewall-cmd –reload
10. Enable IP forwarding:
sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
11. Update sysctl settings:
sudo sysctl -p
12. Create client configuration files:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn*/sample/sample-config-files/client.conf /etc/openvpn/
13. Start the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
14. Verify the status of the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl status openvpn@server
15. Connect to the OpenVPN server from a client machine using the generated client configuration file.
Requirements for Installing OpenVPN on CentOS 8 Server
OpenVPN is a popular open-source software application that allows users to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations. It is widely used for remote access to private networks and for securing internet traffic. In this article, we will discuss how to install OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server.
Before we dive into the installation process, let’s first go over the requirements for installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server. To begin with, you will need a CentOS 8 server with root access. It is important to have root access as you will need to install packages and make configuration changes that require elevated privileges.
Additionally, you will need a stable internet connection to download the necessary packages and updates. Make sure that your server meets the minimum system requirements for running OpenVPN, such as sufficient RAM and disk space.
Another requirement for installing OpenVPN on CentOS 8 is having a basic understanding of Linux command line operations. While we will provide step-by-step instructions in this article, having some familiarity with the Linux command line will be beneficial in troubleshooting any issues that may arise during the installation process.
Now that we have covered the requirements, let’s move on to the installation process. The first step is to update your CentOS 8 server to ensure that you have the latest software packages and security updates. You can do this by running the following commands:
sudo yum update
sudo yum upgrade
Next, you will need to install the EPEL repository, which contains additional packages that are not included in the default CentOS repositories. You can install the EPEL repository by running the following command:
sudo yum install epel-release
Once the EPEL repository is installed, you can proceed to install OpenVPN by running the following command:
sudo yum install openvpn
After the installation is complete, you will need to configure OpenVPN by creating a configuration file. You can find a sample configuration file in the /usr/share/doc/openvpn/examples/sample-config-files directory. Copy the sample configuration file to the /etc/openvpn directory by running the following command:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/examples/sample-config-files/server.conf /etc/openvpn/
Next, you will need to edit the configuration file to customize it according to your needs. You can use a text editor such as nano or vi to open the configuration file and make the necessary changes. Some of the key parameters that you may want to configure include the server IP address, port number, and encryption settings.
Once you have configured the OpenVPN server, you can start the OpenVPN service by running the following command:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
To ensure that the OpenVPN service starts automatically at boot, you can enable it by running the following command:
sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server
Congratulations! You have successfully installed OpenVPN on your CentOS 8 server. You can now connect to your OpenVPN server using a client application and start securely accessing your private network or browsing the internet.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing OpenVPN on CentOS 8 Server
OpenVPN is a popular open-source software application that allows users to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations. It is widely used for remote access to private networks and for securing internet traffic. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server.
Before we begin the installation process, it is important to ensure that your CentOS 8 server is up to date. You can do this by running the following commands:
sudo yum update
sudo yum upgrade
Once your server is up to date, you can proceed with the installation of OpenVPN. The first step is to install the EPEL repository, which contains additional packages that are not included in the default CentOS repositories. You can install the EPEL repository by running the following command:
sudo yum install epel-release
Next, you will need to install the OpenVPN package by running the following command:
sudo yum install openvpn
After the installation is complete, you will need to generate the necessary encryption keys and certificates for OpenVPN. You can do this by running the following command:
sudo /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/easyrsa init-pki
Next, you will need to build the certificate authority (CA) by running the following command:
sudo /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/easyrsa build-ca
You will be prompted to enter information for the CA certificate. Once the CA is built, you can generate the server key and certificate by running the following command:
sudo /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/easyrsa gen-req server nopass
Next, you will need to sign the server certificate by running the following command:
sudo /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/easyrsa sign-req server server
You will also need to generate the Diffie-Hellman key exchange parameters by running the following command:
sudo /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/easyrsa gen-dh
Finally, you will need to copy the necessary files to the OpenVPN configuration directory by running the following commands:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/sample/sample-config-files/server.conf /etc/openvpn/
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/pki/private/server.key /etc/openvpn/
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/pki/issued/server.crt /etc/openvpn/
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/easy-rsa/3.0.6/pki/dh.pem /etc/openvpn/
Once the files are copied, you can start the OpenVPN service by running the following command:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
You can also enable the OpenVPN service to start automatically at boot by running the following command:
sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server
At this point, OpenVPN should be up and running on your CentOS 8 server. You can verify that the service is running by checking its status:
sudo systemctl status openvpn@server
In conclusion, installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the instructions outlined in this article, you can set up a secure VPN connection for remote access to your private network or for securing internet traffic.
Configuring OpenVPN on CentOS 8 Server
OpenVPN is a popular open-source software application that allows users to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations. It is widely used for creating secure virtual private networks (VPNs) and is compatible with various operating systems, including CentOS 8. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server.
Before we begin, it is important to note that you will need root access to the CentOS 8 server in order to install OpenVPN. Additionally, make sure that your server is up to date by running the following commands:
sudo yum update
sudo yum upgrade
Once your server is up to date, you can proceed with the installation of OpenVPN. To install OpenVPN on CentOS 8, you will need to add the EPEL repository to your system. You can do this by running the following command:
sudo yum install epel-release
After adding the EPEL repository, you can install OpenVPN by running the following command:
sudo yum install openvpn
Once the installation is complete, you will need to configure OpenVPN on your CentOS 8 server. The first step is to generate the necessary certificates and keys for OpenVPN. You can do this by running the following command:
openvpn –genkey –secret /etc/openvpn/ta.key
Next, you will need to create a configuration file for OpenVPN. You can use the sample configuration file provided by OpenVPN as a template. Copy the sample configuration file to the /etc/openvpn directory by running the following command:
cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/sample/sample-config-files/server.conf /etc/openvpn/server.conf
After copying the sample configuration file, you will need to edit it to suit your needs. Open the configuration file in a text editor and make the necessary changes. You will need to specify the paths to the certificates and keys that you generated earlier, as well as configure other settings such as the VPN subnet and DNS servers.
Once you have configured the OpenVPN server, you can start the OpenVPN service by running the following command:
systemctl start openvpn@server
To ensure that the OpenVPN service starts automatically at boot, you can enable it by running the following command:
systemctl enable openvpn@server
With the OpenVPN server up and running, you can now configure client devices to connect to the VPN. You will need to generate client certificates and keys for each client device. You can do this by running the following command on the server:
openvpn –genkey –secret /etc/openvpn/ta.key
After generating the client certificates and keys, you will need to create a configuration file for each client device. You can use the sample client configuration file provided by OpenVPN as a template. Copy the sample client configuration file to the client device and edit it to specify the paths to the client certificates and keys.
Once you have configured the client devices, they can connect to the OpenVPN server using the OpenVPN client software. You can download the OpenVPN client software from the official OpenVPN website and install it on the client devices.
In conclusion, installing and configuring OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. By following the instructions provided in this article, you can create a secure VPN connection for your server and client devices.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Installing OpenVPN on CentOS 8 Server
OpenVPN is a popular open-source software application that allows users to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations. It is widely used for remote access to private networks and for securing internet traffic. Installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server can be a bit tricky, but with the right guidance, you can easily set it up and start using it to secure your network communications.
One common issue that users encounter when installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server is missing dependencies. Before you can install OpenVPN, you need to make sure that all the necessary packages are installed on your server. To do this, you can use the following command:
sudo yum install epel-release
This command will install the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository, which contains additional packages that are not included in the default CentOS repositories. Once you have installed the EPEL repository, you can proceed with installing OpenVPN by running the following command:
sudo yum install openvpn
After installing OpenVPN, you will need to configure it to suit your specific needs. One common issue that users face during the configuration process is setting up the firewall rules to allow OpenVPN traffic. By default, OpenVPN uses port 1194 for communication, so you will need to open this port on your server’s firewall. You can do this by running the following command:
sudo firewall-cmd –zone=public –add-port=1194/udp –permanent
sudo firewall-cmd –reload
This will allow incoming UDP traffic on port 1194, which is necessary for OpenVPN to function properly. Once you have configured the firewall rules, you can proceed with setting up the OpenVPN server and client configurations.
Another common issue that users encounter when installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server is configuring the network settings correctly. When setting up OpenVPN, you will need to specify the IP address of the server and the subnet that will be used for the VPN clients. You can do this by editing the server configuration file located at /etc/openvpn/server.conf. In this file, you will need to specify the following parameters:
– server: The IP address of the server
– port: The port on which OpenVPN will listen for incoming connections
– proto: The protocol that OpenVPN will use (UDP or TCP)
– dev: The network device that OpenVPN will use (tun or tap)
– ca, cert, key: The paths to the certificate authority (CA), server certificate, and server key files
Once you have configured the server settings, you can proceed with setting up the client configurations. To do this, you will need to create a client configuration file with the necessary parameters, such as the remote server IP address, port, and protocol. You can then distribute this file to your VPN clients so that they can connect to the server.
In conclusion, installing OpenVPN on a CentOS 8 server can be a challenging task, but with the right guidance, you can easily set it up and start using it to secure your network communications. By following the steps outlined in this article and troubleshooting common issues that may arise during the installation process, you can ensure that your OpenVPN server is up and running smoothly.
Conclusion
To install OpenVPN on CentOS 8 server, follow these steps:
1. Update the system:
sudo yum update
2. Install the EPEL repository:
sudo yum install epel-release
3. Install OpenVPN:
sudo yum install openvpn
4. Copy the sample configuration file:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/sample/sample-config-files/server.conf /etc/openvpn/
5. Edit the configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/openvpn/server.conf
6. Start and enable the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server
7. Configure firewall rules:
sudo firewall-cmd –permanent –add-service=openvpn
sudo firewall-cmd –reload
8. Generate client certificates:
cd /etc/openvpn/easy-rsa
source vars
./clean-all
./build-ca
./build-key-server server
./build-dh
openvpn –genkey –secret keys/ta.key
9. Start the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl start openvpn@server
10. Verify the status of the OpenVPN service:
sudo systemctl status openvpn@server
In conclusion, installing OpenVPN on CentOS 8 server involves updating the system, installing the necessary packages, configuring the OpenVPN server, generating client certificates, and starting the OpenVPN service. Following these steps will help you set up a secure VPN connection on your CentOS 8 server.