Connecting to your VPN server, Summary
For most of you, L2TP/IPSec will be the best choice on Windows, MAC, iPhone or Android as they all have built-in support for that protocol. If you’re in a more restrictive environment or running Linux, the SoftEther SSL-VPN Client app is my recommendation. OpenVPN and SSTP are both excellent protocols too so it’s really a matter of personal preference. OpenVPN supports Windows, MAC and Linux, while SSTP is a Windows only protocol but can be excellent at getting through restrictive firewalls.
I will give links to my video guides for each operating system and protocol but before I do, we need to rename our OpenVPN config file so you can easily locate it. Navigate to your VPNGuide folder, open your info.txt and copy your VPS’ IP address to clipboard. Inside your VPNGuide folder, right-click on the [123.123.12.123].zip file (replace 123.123.12.123 with your VPS’ IP) and choose Extract All…, then click the Extract button on the window that appears.
Windows will extract and create a folder with the same name, which should be the IP address of your VPS. Open the new folder if it’s not open already, then look for the .ovpn file titled “netflix_openvpn_remote_access_l3.ovpn“, then right-click on it and choose Rename, then paste your VPS’ IP address, click on white-space to save the file. Now, if you’re connecting via OpenVPN you will know where your OVPN config file is.
Use the following fields and settings for all VPN protocols:
- Username: (SoftEther VPN client username: ie. John)
- Password: (SoftEther VPN client pass:)
- Hostname/Address/IP Address: (VPS IP:)
- Encryption: required or maximum
- Password Authentication: CHAP, CHAPv2 and/or PAP
Connect via L2TP/IPSec Protocol
You will need to open your info.txt file and copy the L2TP/IPSec PSK (Pre-Shared Key): password and paste into Secret/PSK/Pre-Shared Key field on your client device.
L2TP/IPSec on Android or iPhone Guide
Connect via SoftEther SSL-VPN
You will need to download the SoftEther VPN Client for either Windows or MAC, or for Link follow this guide.
Connect via OpenVPN Protocol
Open your info.txt file and locate your .ovpn config file we renamed earlier, ie. 123.123.12.123.ovpn. Note that the CA Cert and Key are embedded inside the .ovpn file so you don’t need to include them.
Connect via SSTP Protocol
Note* In order to connect via SSTP you will need to install the .CRT CA Certificate we generated during the guide which is inside your VPNGuide folder. Follow the video guide below to do this before attempting an SSTP connection.
Once you’re ready, connect to your VPN, then visit IP Check website and make sure the IP address shown is your VPS’ IP address, if it is then you’re all set, congrats! If it shows another IP address or you have errors connecting, revisit this guide and double check everything.
Summary
If you’ve reached this point, Congratulations and start enjoying your new, private VPN network! I will be extending this guide to cover multiple VPN servers and RADIUS authentication soon so be sure to subscribe to my newsletter.
Let me know in the comments how you went setting up your VPN server, I would love to hear from you!
Cheers!
Richie
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