Gaming VPN via VPS

silar

Hello,

I like to build a OpenVPN network for playing older games, which has only a LAN mode (and I do not like to use solutions like Hamachi or Tungle).
Since we're talking about a gaming VPN, I need to support more than TCP/IP. Stuff like IPX and UDP are common for multiplayer games. If I understand it right, I need a bridged network for this purpose.

For this I found several tutorials, for example this:
http://judebert.com/progress/archives/59-Setting-Up-A-Gaming-LAN-with-OpenVPN.html
http://ludiclinux.com/OpenVPN/

But in these, they assume, that the server is connected to the network of one player and sits behind a normal DSL router.

My question is now, is it possible or is it a good idea to install the OpenVPN server on a virtual private server. I set up a firewall using iptables, so this should not be the problem.

TinCanTech

silar wroteMy question is now, is it possible or is it a good idea to install the OpenVPN server on a virtual private server

It is very common to install openvpn on a VPS.

silar

I know, that it is common to install openvpn on a VPS. But I think, normaly you use tunneld network.
Additionally in the documentation is the sentence: "Never bridge a TAP interface with the same ethernet interface you use to connect to the internet, as that would create a potential security hole."
From my understanding, this is what I would do and which I have to do to get LAN games workingm, right?

Maybe the question is more, what kind of security hole I'm building and how I can prevent it.

TinCanTech

silar wroteAdditionally in the documentation is the sentence: "Never bridge a TAP interface with the same ethernet interface you use to connect to the internet, as that would create a potential security hole."

Because you actually read some documentation first I will try to add some additional info.

I have not needed a VPS so I have not done this myself, however ..

You are right in that you do not want to use your internet facing interface if it is directly connected to the internet with a public IP. Not only would this create a huge security hole but openvpn would not work correctly and it would probably get your VPS shut down.

Maybe you can create a virtual LAN on the VPS and bridge that. You would need to speak to your VPS provider for details.