Client and Server on same machine?

[jerryk1234]

Hello,

I have successfully implemented an openvpn server on my home linux box. I have a satellite Linux box at my business in another town. Way cool!

Now, I'd like to define another VPN, with the satellite box acting as its server. Reason is that I need to do windows file sharing for my staff there, but I DON"T want them on my central VPN with access to the stuff in my house.

Can this be done? I'm thinking one would start two openvpn's, one using a "server.conf", and the other one "client.conf". Or possibly make two complete independant directories in /etc.

- Jerry Kaidor

[gladiatr72]

Hi, Jerry.

Yes. It is very possible. How this is started is dependent on your startup scripts. for instance, with Debian + derivatives you actually have a file: /etc/default/openvpn with a variable, AUTOSTART where you can specify which configurations you want to execute. This gives a little more flexibility than the init script that comes with ovpn and is included with the redhat RPM (which will start an openvpn instance for any .conf files in /etc/openvpn)

Be sure to use the nobind option in the client configuration at your satellite location. This will prevent the client instance from opening port 1194 leaving it available for the server instance (and who wants a port dangling open when it will never be used, anyway?)

Regards,
Stephen