pfsense how to setup openvpn for remote access workers

How to configure an OpenVPN Remote Access Server in pfSense

• Authentication Choose the desired authentication settings. ...
• Certificate Authority Selection Select "Add a new CA" ...
• Server Certificate Selection Select "Add new Certificate" ...
• General OpenVPN Server Information Interface: This is the interface where OpenVPN will listen for incoming connections, typically your WAN. ...
• Cryptographic Settings ...
• Tunnel Settings ...
• Client Settings ...
• Firewall Rule Configuration ...

Full Answer

How do I set up OpenVPN on pfSense?

From the pfSense dashboard go to System > Package Manager > Available Packages and search for the openvpn-client-export package. Click the Install button to install it. Go to VPN > OpenVPN > Servers and click Add. On this page we will set all the settings for the server side of the OpenVPN connection.

How secure is pfSense local user access?

When using Local User Access, per- user certificates may be used easily, managed completely in the pfSense GUI. This is much more secure, but depending on the number of users which will access the service, may be less convenient than using a central authentication system.

What is the OpenVPN Wizard?

The OpenVPN wizard is a convenient way to setup a remote access VPN for mobile clients. It configures all of the necessary prerequisites for an OpenVPN Remote Access Server: An OpenVPN server instance. By the end of the wizard a fully functioning sever will be configured and ready for users.

How do I get the DDNS hostname from pfSense?

In the OpenVPN settings (VPN > OpenVPN), select Client Export. If you have a static external IP address, leave the Host Name Resolution as Interface IP Address. If you have DDNS set up on pfSense, the DDNS hostname will be available in the dropdown list. If you have DDNS set up on another device, select Other and enter in the DDNS hostname.

How do I use OpenVPN for remote access?

How to Add Remote Users On OpenVPN CloudCreate an OpenVPN Cloud account.Add a new Network in the OpenVPN Cloud Administration portal.Install the connector software from this network on a computer in the business network (shown above)Connect the connector to the business's private OpenVPN Cloud network.More items...

How use pfSense with OpenVPN?

Step 1 - Creating a NO-IP Account. ... Step 2 - Setting up DynDNS in pfSense. ... Step 3 - Installing the Client Export Package. ... Step 4 - Configure OpenVPN on pfSense using the OpenVPN Wizard. ... Step 5 - Creating a VPN User. ... Step 6 - pfSense OpenVPN Client Export. ... Step 7 - Installing OpenVPN on Windows and Connecting.

Can pfSense be a VPN?

The OpenVPN wizard on pfSense® software is a convenient way to setup a remote access VPN for mobile clients. The wizard configures all of the necessary prerequisites for an OpenVPN remote access server: An authentication source (Local, RADIUS server, or LDAP server) A certificate authority (CA)

How do I add users to OpenVPN Access Server?

Add a user:Sign in to the Admin Web UI.Click User Management > User Permissions.Enter a desired username for the new account in the New Username field.Configure the settings for the new user using the checkboxes: ... Configure a user authentication method: ... Add a password for the user profile:More items...

Is OpenVPN on pfSense free?

Secure Remote Network Access Using OpenVPN Since pfSense is open source and available for free this project won't cost you anything to complete.

Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN?

WireGuard offers a more reliable connection for mobile users than OpenVPN because it handles network changes better. OpenVPN adds a data overhead of up to 20%, whereas WireGuard uses just 4% more data (compared with not using a VPN). VPN services need to include mitigations to ensure user privacy when using WireGuard.

Which is better OpenVPN or PPTP?

Conclusion. PPTP has faster speeds and is easier to set up but offers a poorly secured connection. On the other hand, OpenVPN provides decent speeds and excellent security, plus it's great at circumventing geo-blocks and firewalls undetected.

How do I add a VPN to pfSense?

We need to install the package from the pfSense Package Manager manually.From the menus at the top of the screen, select System > Package Manager. ... Select the Available Packages sub-menu.Scroll down until you see openvpn-client-export and click the Install button to its right. ... Click Confirm.More items...•

Does pfSense support WireGuard?

WireGuard is available as an experimental add-on package on pfSense Plus 21.05, pfSense CE 2.5. 2, and later versions.

How do I give someone access to my VPN?

Double-click Your_Server_Name, right-click Ports, and then click Properties. In the Ports Properties dialog box, click WAN Miniport (PPTP), and then click Configure. In the Maximum ports box, type the number of VPN connections that you want to allow. Click OK, click OK again, and then quit Routing and Remote Access.

How do I create a username and password for OpenVPN?

Set Username/Password for each client on OpenVPN serverClick Account tab, and then click Add Account to set the username and password for VPN client.Enter the client's name and assign an password for the client.Click Save. Repeat above steps to set username/password for each client.

Is OpenVPN Access server free?

OpenVPN Access Server is free to install and use for 2 simultaneous VPN connections for testing purposes. The OpenVPN community and the OpenVPN Inc. team work together to provide a robust and transparent security product.

How do I add a VPN to pfSense?

1:5023:01Tutorial: pfsense OpenVPN Configuration For Remote Users 2020YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're gonna walk you through how the wizard works and that's the easiest way to get started withMoreSo we're gonna walk you through how the wizard works and that's the easiest way to get started with Open VPN I've already got some other advanced videos and your to do some really tricky things with

How do I download OpenVPN from pfSense?

OpenVPN Client Export PackageNavigate to System > Packages, Available Packages tab.Locate the OpenVPN Client Export package in the list.Click. Install next to that package listing to install.Click. Confirm to confirm the installation.

Does pfSense support WireGuard?

WireGuard is available as an experimental add-on package on pfSense Plus 21.05, pfSense CE 2.5. 2, and later versions.

How do I deploy pfSense?

Download Installation Media.Prepare Installation Media.Perform the Installation. Booting the Install Media. Installing to the Hard Drive. Starting the Installer. ... Assign Interfaces.Alternate Installation Techniques.Upgrade Guide.Migrate from pfSense® CE software to Netgate pfSense Plus software.

How to add a group to OpenVPN?

Go on “Groups” tab, then click on the “+ Add” button at the bottom right. Give the name you want to the group. In our case we choose “OpenVPN-users”. Then click on the “Save” button. Once done, come back on the “Users” tab, then click on the “+ Add” button. The fields to be filled in are the following:

How does VPN work?

How it works. The goal is to offer a VPN solution for travelling or teleworking users allowing them to have secure access to the company’s LAN. These users can use a computer or a smartphone to connect. In all cases, they will use an OpenVPN client.

What is the default port for a local port?

Local port: we keep the default value (1194).

Is OpenVPN compatible with Mac?

OpenVPN = the perfect solution for home-office users. OpenVPN is easy to implement and is compatible with all types of platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, …) This article does not cover site-to-site mode configuration of OpenVPN (shared key or X.509).

1. OpenVPN Server Setup

The easiest way to set up OpenVPN is by using the OpenVPN wizard. It will guide you through most of the process.

2. Client Export Package & User Accounts - How to Set Up OpenVPN on pfSense

Ensure that you install the openvpn-client-export package from the Package Manager ( System > Package Manager > Available Packages ).

3. OpenVPN Client Configuration

Now that the client export tool and user account are created, we can proceed in exporting our configuration file.

4. Conclusion - How to Set Up OpenVPN on pfSense

This tutorial showed how to set up OpenVPN on pfSense. Fortunately, by using the wizard and client-export tools, the process to set up a OpenVPN on pfSense is relatively straight forward. You can now create as many users as you’d like, export their own configuration file and they will be able to connect to your VPN server!

What is pfSense package?

pfSense provides a package called openvpn-client-export which creates preconfigured OpenVPN profiles for you to download containing all the VPN settings and the user certificate if one is used. For Windows users it also allows you to download an OpenVPN client installer which will automatically install the OpenVPN client application and configure it with the VPN settings. This step is optional as you could configure the client settings manually but in most cases, doing it will simplify deployment.

How to install OpenVPN client export?

From the pfSense dashboard go to System > Package Manager > Available Packages and search for the openvpn-client-export package. Click the Install button to install it.

How to export OpenVPN client?

The easiest way to configure client settings is to use the openvpn-client-export package we installed earlier. Go to VPN > OpenVPN > Client Export. At the bottom of this there is a section called OpenVPN Clients. In this section you will see a list of available users whose configuration we can export.

What port does OpenVPN use?

The other setting you may wish to change is the listening port. By default OpenVPN listens on port 1194 in either UDP or TCP mode. You can change the port if you wish, either based on personal preference or if you are on a network which blocks VPN traffic or outbound ports.

What branch of OpenVPN is used for Windows 7?

For Windows 7, 8 or 10 and their corresponding server versions you will want to use the 2.4.8 branch of OpenVPN client. For Windows XP or Vista (shown as win6 in this interface) you will need the older 2.3.18 branch (also, upgrade your PC). Download the installer you want and transfer it to the target PC. Download the correct installer and copy it to your target PC. The installer behaves like any standard Windows installer, just run it, click the “install” button and follow the prompts.

How to create a user in OpenVPN?

To do this we will need to create a user. Go to System > User Manager and add a user. You will need to configure a username and password as per the picture below. The other settings can be left as default although if you are only planning to grant the user temporary access you may want to set the account to expire automatically when access is due to be revoked.

How to create a certificate for OpenVPN?

From the pfSense dashboard, go to System > Cert. Manager > CAs and click Add to create a new CA. Enter a descriptive name to help you identify what the CA is called and a common name which will appear on the certificates. The rest of the settings can be adjusted if required but the defaults should provide a reasonable balance between security and performance for most use cases. By default the CA lifetime is set to 3650 days (10 years) which is reasonable for a CA but can be adjusted if desired. If you wish you can also include location and organisation data but this is entirely optional.

What is VPN in PfSense?

There are several VPN options available in pfSense software, such as. IPsec. OpenVPN. SSH tunneling. Once a VPN is in place, reach the GUI safely using a local address on the firewall, such as the LAN IP address. The exact details vary depending on the VPN configuration.

What to do if a restrictive ruleset is in place on the LAN?

If a restrictive ruleset is in place on the LAN, make sure it permits access to the web interface before continuing.