client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

This is where we can discuss what we would like to see added or changed in OpenVPN.

Moderators: TinCanTech, TinCanTech, TinCanTech, TinCanTech, TinCanTech, TinCanTech

Post Reply
User avatar
aivanise
OpenVpn Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:12 am

client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by aivanise » Sun May 31, 2020 10:24 am

As far as I can tell from the source (someone please tell me otherwise), it is not possible in the management interface to tell the client what to do after it receives client-kill

I would like to be able send the same parameter that the sever sends to all clients when it restarts and explicit-exit-notify is set, but to individual clients, i.e.

client-kill id RESTART [P] - reconnect to the same server
client-kill id RESTART [N] - reconnect to the next server

that way I can manually rebalance my servers and/or keep clients away from expensive lines (e.g. backup metered LTE) without having to restart the server (thus kicking out everyone) or firewalling off the IPs (cumbersome and error prone, bad UX as client still tries dead IPs and waits).

thank you

TinCanTech
OpenVPN Protagonist
Posts: 11137
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:17 pm

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by TinCanTech » Sun May 31, 2020 7:10 pm

aivanise wrote:
Sun May 31, 2020 10:24 am
I would like to be able send the same parameter that the sever sends to all clients when it restarts and explicit-exit-notify is set, but to individual clients, i.e.

client-kill id RESTART [P] - reconnect to the same server
client-kill id RESTART [N] - reconnect to the next server
Would you be prepared to code this ?

User avatar
aivanise
OpenVpn Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:12 am

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by aivanise » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:03 am

I can certainly try, but given the fact that I've been an admin and haven't coded anything substantial in the last couple of decades, I can't really guarantee the quality ;)

TinCanTech
OpenVPN Protagonist
Posts: 11137
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:17 pm

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by TinCanTech » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:22 am

If you can spare the time and really want to see this then I recommend you discuss it with the developers first.

Join their IRC channel and talk it through.

User avatar
aivanise
OpenVpn Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:12 am

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by aivanise » Mon Jun 01, 2020 2:25 pm

Heh, started looking into it and discovered that it is already possible, I just didn't get the syntax right, so I'm happy ;)

the correct syntax is comma delimited, no spaces

client-kill id RESTART,[N]

I can submit the documentation enhancement if you want

TinCanTech
OpenVPN Protagonist
Posts: 11137
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:17 pm

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by TinCanTech » Mon Jun 01, 2020 2:36 pm

Excellent. Yes, all documentation improvements are welcome 8-)

Eric22
OpenVpn Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:39 am

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by Eric22 » Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:40 am

I have exactly the same problem. Anyone got a suggestion? This is quiet a common issue , please suggest me if you find any solution for it .

TinCanTech
OpenVPN Protagonist
Posts: 11137
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:17 pm

Re: client-kill enhancement to tell the client to try next remote

Post by TinCanTech » Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:01 pm

Eric22 wrote:
Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:40 am
I have exactly the same problem.
What problem ?
Eric22 wrote:
Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:40 am
Anyone got a suggestion?
Read the manual.

Post Reply