Connect to OpenVPN Access Server via Command Line

Coopercentral

Hello -

I have a Windows-based OpenVPN client installed in order to connect to an OpenVPN Access Server. I have several users that have the "auto login" feature enabled. I'm trying to see if there is a way to connect an auto-login profile using a command, as opposed to the user manually clicking into the client, and then choosing "Connect to ...". I tried downloading the ".ovpn" config file from my access server, and then launching:

C:\Program Files\OpenVPN Technologies\OpenVPN Client\core\openvpn.exe --config myconfig.opvpn

But that results in a bunch of errors, and never fully connects. I did tick the option to start as a Windows service, but again I'm looking to see about using a command/CLI to connect to the server. The reason for this is because, I want to create a task within Windows that will execute this command if it knows the client just connected to a wireless network.

Right now, even with the windows service, if the client is disconnected from a wireless network for 10+ minutes, it will NOT automatically connect to the VPN server without manually going into the client. Anyone able to get this working? Thank you!

-Ken

The Johan

Try ovpncli.exe connect instead.

Coopercentral

I appreciate your reply! I do not have "ovpncli.exe" within the core directory, but there is a "capicli.exe". Looking at that file it shows it's an OpenVPN Client API. So I'm guessing this is the same thing? When I type that file it gives a bunch of options, some include "Connect" ... "Disconnect". But there are a bunch of arguments that go along with it, and haven't been able to connect to it. It asks if the connection type is dynamic or static. I tried both to no avail. I will keep plugging away and report back if I have any success. Thanks!

KrondaliX

Hi, have you tester using cmd in administrator mode ?

The Johan

Hello Coopercentral,

It could be that I was mistaken and that it is capicli.exe. With a profile already installed I just do capicli connect to start the connection and off it goes. This only works if a connection profile is installed, like for example is the case by default when your user has autologin privileges and you download and install the Connect Client - it comes bundled with the autologin profile then and it will use that to connect.