AutoStart OPN VPN Server as Service

[robertozeni]

Hi,

we have this situation:
- Machine with Windows Server 2012 R2 and OpenVPN installed (openvpn-install-2.4.6-I602)
- Clients Router Teltonika RUT955

Connections works very well but now, to activate VPN system, we need to execute manually OPEN VPN GUI and after right click on the icon on notification area and click on "Connect" to activate the .ovpn configuration file located in \config\Server directory.

Server Machine is not supervised by an operator and so we need to activate the OPEN VPN GUI and connection automatically at machine startup (the OPEN VPN must be active before Windows Login).

We think to activate the OPEN VNP as service, we try in some modes, but we have this problems:

- 1° Test: we try to use "Launch on Windows Startup" flag accessible in "OPEN VPN GUI --> Settings" but it seems that only OPEN VPN GUI without activation connection (.ovpn) is started and only after windows login

- 2° Test: we try to set in "Automatic" the Windows service named "OpenVPNService" that it seems that VPN doesnt start never (after or before windows login)

- 3° Test: if we create a Shortcut with line "openvpn-gui.exe --connect myprofile.ovpn" and we click manually on it the OPEN VPN GUI and connection starts correctly but we cant put this connection in Windows Autostart because the Autostart was executed only after Windows login.

What the correct way to start and activate OPEN VPN automatically on Machine startup before the windows login?
Should be great if, after windows login, OPEN VPN GUI icon was active so that operator can verify the connection status...

Thanks and Best Regards

[robertozeni]

Hi,

I have this situation:
- Machine with Windows Server 2012 R2 and OpenVPN installed (openvpn-install-2.4.6-I602)
- Clients Router Teltonika RUT955

VPN Connections works very well but for now, to activate VPN system, we need to execute manually OPEN VPN GUI and after right click on the icon on notification area and click on "Connect" to activate the .ovpn configuration file located in \config\Server directory.

.ovpn configuration file doesnt need a login/password to start.

Server Machine is not supervised by an operator and so we need to activate the OPEN VPN GUI and connection automatically at machine startup (the OPEN VPN must be active before Windows Login).

We think to activate the OPEN VNP as service, we try in some modes, but we have this problems:

- 1° Test: we try to use "Launch on Windows Startup" flag accessible in "OPEN VPN GUI --> Settings" but it seems that only OPEN VPN GUI without activation connection (.ovpn) is started and only after windows login

- 2° Test: we try to set in "Automatic" the Windows service named "OpenVPNService" that it seems that VPN doesnt start never (after or before windows login)

- 3° Test: if we create a Shortcut with line "openvpn-gui.exe --connect myprofile.ovpn" and we click manually on it the OPEN VPN GUI and connection starts correctly but we cant put this connection in Windows Autostart because the Autostart was executed only after Windows login.

What the correct way to start and activate OPEN VPN automatically on Machine startup before the windows login?
Should be great if, after windows login, OPEN VPN GUI icon was active so that operator can verify the connection status...

Thanks and Best Regards