Not sure I understand OpenVPN and Pop_OS! - pls explain!

VPN
1

I setup my own VPN server - incredibly simple and it works great when you connect to it using the Open VPN client… but that’s on a mac.

I am not quite understanding on how to set up the client on my POP_OS! machine?

I thought it would be a simple case of going to the Pop Shop and installing the client, but there seems to be more steps involved - or am I missing something?

I’ve read online that I need to install the VPN File (I guess the secret key) but none of that was necessary on my mac

Just trying to understand the steps I need when I have an IP address OpenVpn Server and an account and login…how to access!

Thanks!

2

OpenVPN is integrated in most Linux distros. This means that you don’t need to download any additional software.

Just go to Settings->Network and you should see a “VPN” section. Click on the “+” icon and select OpenVPN from the list. From there, just fill in your OpenVPN information and press “Add”.

Hope this helps.

3

You need to install OpenVPN support.

sudo apt install openvpn easy-rsa

Then you can set it up in Settings → Network → VPN (and also supports importing .ovpn files).

4

thanks! That’s the weird thing though - I have no OpenVPN option when I click > settings > Network > VPN > “+” > Only “Point to Point” and “Import from File”

^ so, I dont have OpenVPN installed right?

5

Okay, I checked and found a few packages that you can try installing from the terminal:

sudo apt install network-manager-openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome

I’m not sure if this will resolve the issue, as OpenVPN should be installed by default on Pop OS. Here is what it looks like on my standard Pop OS install: https://imgur.com/a/iDFxddT

6

To use OpenVPN you need a corresponding configuration, most often provided by an .ovpn file. That’s the file you need to “Import from” using the dialog you mention. You usually get these from OpenvVPN providers, such as ProtonVPN and others.