New to VPN: Need to know capabilities please

[benkim]

Hello,

I'm considering delving into creating my own VPN server using Open VPN. Unfortunately, I'm new to this arena but willing to work through this!
I do have some questions I hope the more experienced will be willing share their knowledge. I'm dealing with an internet provider that blocks VoiP. I've been using Witopia and a couple of other connections that seem to work most of the time. It does seem like a game of cat and mouse.

1. Is it possible to use shared server space (since I do web design) to host the VPN software?
2. Where can I find the server requirements if it's possible?
3. They seem to degrade the connection somehow. My bandwidth goes from 1 mb to about .18mb downstream. What is the most likely method used to screw with VPN connections?
4. Can someone point me to documentation what will allow me to access whether it's possible and how much it will cost to implement this?

Best Regards,

Ben

[ecrist]

1. Is it possible to use shared server space (since I do web design) to host the VPN software?
2. Where can I find the server requirements if it's possible?
3. They seem to degrade the connection somehow. My bandwidth goes from 1 mb to about .18mb downstream. What is the most likely method used to screw with VPN connections?
4. Can someone point me to documentation what will allow me to access whether it's possible and how much it will cost to implement this?

1) Yes, this is fine and is what many folks do. You need to have root access to the machine and it needs to have a tun/tap driver or kernel module installed.

2) OpenVPN runs on pretty much anything. If you come across something it doesn't run on, let us know.

3) We don't really have enough information to help you with this. How do you know they're 'downgrading' your connection and it's not something on the remote end? Under what circumstances do they 'downgrade' your connection?

4) You've already found the right place. It's possible, and if you've already got the hosting and machine, all it'll cost is your time.