I have openvpn 2.4.9 on my Ubuntu 20.10, installed through the official repository. I have downloaded the ovn configuration files for NordVPN. I want to run openvpn as a service. [url=https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/Systemd]This guide[/url] (is it official?) explains how to use systemd to run openvpn as a service. However, the guide appears to be wrong. openvpn seems to look for configuration files under "/etc/openvpn/", and not under "/etc/openvpn/client" as the guide states.

[quote=TinCanTech post_id=97989 time=1614439395 user_id=37053] Because Ubuntu is still using the wrong systemd unit files. [/quote] Thank you for your answer. Where is this wrong file and what is the correct one? Should we update that website to specify the "Ubuntu exception"?

I have added text to the wiki to specify this problem and the related workaround: [url]https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/Systemd[/url] I suggested ubuntu to update the openvpn version in ubuntu's repos here: [url]https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/openvpn/+bug/1917170[/url]

Location of systemd conf files for client

jhulio

I have openvpn 2.4.9 on my Ubuntu 20.10, installed through the official repository.

I have downloaded the ovn configuration files for NordVPN.

I want to run openvpn as a service.

This guide (is it official?) explains how to use systemd to run openvpn as a service.

However, the guide appears to be wrong.

openvpn seems to look for configuration files under "/etc/openvpn/", and not under "/etc/openvpn/client" as the guide states.

TinCanTech

Because Ubuntu is still using the wrong systemd unit files.

jhulio

TinCanTech wrote Because Ubuntu is still using the wrong systemd unit files.

Thank you for your answer.

Where is this wrong file and what is the correct one?

Should we update that website to specify the "Ubuntu exception"?

TinCanTech

Use the version from openvpn repo not ubuntu

jhulio

Yes I confirm that using openvpn 2.5.1 from the repository as described here:
https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/OpenvpnSoftwareRepos

the service starts only if the configuration file is under /etc/openvpn/client, and doesn't find the file if it is instead under /etc/openvpn

I think that we should update and reflect this in the page:
https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/Systemd

The instructions there are only valid for the openvpn official repo version and not from the ubuntu repo version. It is misleading as currently written, I think.

TinCanTech

I told you; Ubuntu is using old files .. tell them to sort their end out ..

jhulio

I have added text to the wiki to specify this problem and the related workaround: https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/Systemd

I suggested ubuntu to update the openvpn version in ubuntu's repos here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/openvpn/+bug/1917170

TinCanTech

OK .. That looks good enough for the time being. Thanks 8-)

jhulio

The Ubuntu maintainers have answered me here:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/openvpn/+bug/1917170

It looks like they won't change the folder in which openvpn looks for configuration files unless Debian does

TinCanTech

Yeah, change takes time ..

But when "They" want something done "Their" way then "They" just push it out and Damn the consequences ..