Static key setup using TAP devices?

Mechanex

Hello there,
I was wondering if it is possible to create a simple VPN tunnel from one machine to another using TAP devs and a static key. I do have a test-setup that doesn't have high security demands/risks so I didn't want to go through the troubles of setting up a PKI. I only have 2 machines so I don't need a client-server structure either. It's more a proof-of-concept kind of thing.

For initial testing I used the Static key mini HOWTO. A Win7 machine acts as the "server" and a Debian machine is the client. This worked fine. However I need to tunnel and bridge layer2 traffic and from what I've read I need tap devices for that (?).

When I was looking for information on bridging (I need to bridge the TAP dev on Debian with a virtual adapter) I stumbled across this article: http://shorewall.net/OPENVPN.html#idp8775083984
And here those guys claim to use tap devices combined with a static key. But when I try their configuration I can't even connect to the server on Win7 (Socket bind failed: Address already in use (WSAEADDRINUSE)). Connecting the client doesn't work either, of course.

Also, I can't seem to find any additional information on my desired tap + static setup. To be honest I'm a bit lost

As you can probably tell I'm a networking and especially VPN newbie but I'll do my best.

Cheers
Mechanex

Traffic

Mechanex wroteSocket bind failed: Address already in use (WSAEADDRINUSE)

Means you are probably already using the port you have configured openvpn to bind to with another instance of openvpn. Only one instance can use each port ..

For future ref: Please see https://forums.openvpn.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=22603

guyinsb

I have been scouring the web for examples of "simplest possible" site-to-site bridges. A related useful buzz phrase is Road Warrior VPN. I have discovered that it is very simple to configure a pair of Shibby 1.28 routers for site-to-site bridging (use "TAP" and common static key). You can buy Linksys E1200 routers on Amazon for $20 each. Flashing them with Shibby is the bulk of the effort.