Command Line connection

geffers

Folks,

I run an Ubuntu Linux system and often assist a friend who has a similar set up. I have a router that has a VPN server so she connects to my router, I then use VNC to view her desktop.

I am trying to get my head around this system, the suggestion is it is easy but I am not finding that so at the moment.

Before I get into trying to set up servers etc can I connect two machines temporarily with a simple command line code in a terminal?

Geffers

geffers

debbie10t wroteProbably worth reading the HOWTO:
http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/miscellaneous/78-static-key-mini-howto.html

D'you know, I am not silly with computers, I've done programming on other systems, built a computer, fiddle quite a bit with my Ubuntu systems BUT the 'simple' setup tells you the following;

How to create a pre shared key but NOT where to store it.
What to put in a simple config file but NOT where these files are or what they are called.
Suggests you run openvpn with the config file but NOT how to run it.

I'll sort it at some point but getting a simple setup going is not quite as easy as the 'easy' set up suggests.

Geffers

geffers

debbie10t wrote
geffers wroteD'you know, I am not silly with computers
Time to read the HOWTO in full:

OpenVPN Community Edition Documentation

HOWTO: For OpenVPN Community Edition
And don't forget The Manual:
The Manual v23x

Yes, thanks Debbie.

I have often wondered the value of forums if the replies say 'have you read the manual'. I have participated in many forums over the years and if I know the answer I'll give it. I have never replied 'Have you read the manual'.

Geffers

maikcat

D'you know, I am not silly with computers, I've done programming on other systems, built a computer, fiddle quite a bit with my Ubuntu systems BUT the 'simple' setup tells you the following;

How to create a pre shared key but NOT where to store it.
What to put in a simple config file but NOT where these files are or what they are called.
Suggests you run openvpn with the config file but NOT how to run it.

you are joking right?

How to create a pre shared key but NOT where to store it.

if you read this

http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/miscellaneous/78-static-key-mini-howto.html

there is the "secret" directive which as a parameter uses your key (yes you can use absolute path)

What to put in a simple config file but NOT where these files are or what they are called.

you can create them wherever you want,openvpn has --config directive which you use to tell openvpn where
and how its named your config...

you can always use openvpn --help...

Michael.

geffers

maikcat wrote if you read this

http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/miscellaneous/78-static-key-mini-howto.html

there is the "secret" directive which as a parameter uses your key (yes you can use absolute path)

What to put in a simple config file but NOT where these files are or what they are called.
you can create them wherever you want,openvpn has --config directive which you use to tell openvpn where
and how its named your config...

you can always use openvpn --help...

Michael.

Michael,

Thank you, you have clarified at least the location of the various files; that was the article I read, the setup was straightforward but where to put the files not so. My apache server required config files in specific locations; hence my question.

I took a guess at locations and was unable to connect so at least I won't waste my time juggling file locations.

Obvious solutions are not so obvious when one has never used the program before.

Geffers

geffers

debbie10t wrote
geffers wroteI have often wondered the value of forums if the replies say 'have you read the manual
I often wonder why people don't read the documentation/manuals/howtos/examples/rules before they complain.

geffers wroteI have participated in many forums over the years and if I know the answer I'll give it. I have never replied 'Have you read the manual'.
Well, after I have explained to countless people how to do the same things, over and over, I eventually reverted back to the prescribed documentation because I don't have time to write to people personally for every little thing.

The documentation is there for a reason and has been updated many times over the years to ensure people have all the information they need. So they don't have to use the forums until they get really stuck with something.

As all you want is:
geffers wroteBefore I get into trying to set up servers etc can I connect two machines temporarily with a simple command line code in a terminal?
The HOWTO has a very simple example can you follow ... :mrgreen:

Debbie,

I appreciate you may well get many repetative questions asked on this forum but there will always be someone new who wants an answer to a simple question. Michael clarified what the 'simple' example failed to do and that was the location of the files it referred to.

Surely though it is not down to you to answer all the questions - with computers there are normally numerous ways to achieve the same objective so another newbie may well give some advice that an experienced user 'thinks' is obvious.

Geffers

geffers

Just a suggestion on the 'simple' example.

Here is an excellent example on the debian wiki page, tells you exactly where each file should be stored and how to run the command.

https://wiki.debian.org/OpenVPN

Geffers

geffers

maikcat wrote
there is the "secret" directive which as a parameter uses your key (yes you can use absolute path)

you can create them wherever you want,openvpn has --config directive which you use to tell openvpn where
and how its named your config...

Michael.

Once I had the file locations confirmed by you I was able to iron out a couple of errors.

I now have it working fine.

I did post a link to the Debian wiki which is better explained than the openvpn 'how to'.

Geffers