1A First Alternative

Setting up a VPN connection (OpenVPN) - Windows 10

This manual is meant for 1A-server users.
It explains how you can make a secure connection to your company's network with the help of OpenVPN.
This way you can use your company's network just as when you are connected directly.

Only accounts that are a member of group "vpn" are allowed to connect through a VPN-connection.

If the old "OpenVPN Desktop Client" is installed on your PC, please uninstall it through the Control panel. You can find it in the software list under the name "OpenVPN Client".

Requirements

To complete this manual, you will need:

  • Your username and password
  • The OpenVPN configuration-file (ovpn file). You can download it from the Server Info page on your 1A server.

Usage

1
Start OpenVPN (1)
  • Double-click icon "OpenVPN GUI"
Start OpenVPN (1)
2
Start OpenVPN (2)
  • At the popup for "User Account Control", click Yes
  • You will not see this message if you have administrator access to your PC.
Start OpenVPN (2)
3
Connect to your company's network (1)
  • Right-click the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar
  • Select Connect
Connect to your company's network (1)
4
Connect to your company's network (2)
  • Enter your username and password
  • Click OK
  • As soon as you are connected, the screen disappears to the taskbar.
    The OpenVPN icon is now green
    Note: Option "Save password" is a potential risk, we recommend you do NOT use this, especially on shared computers
Connect to your company's network (2)
5
Disconnect
  • Right-click the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar
  • Select Disconnect
Disconnect
6
Restore connection window
  • Right-click the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar
  • Select Show Status
    This option is only available when a connection is active
Restore connection window

Steps

1
Download and install the OpenVPN Client
  • Go to download.1afa.com/openvpn-client/windows
  • Download and install the OpenVPN Client
    Example filename: openvpn-install-2.4.4-I601.exe
    Tip: Execute the installer through right-click option "Run as Administrator"
2
Place the ovpn file in the correct location
  • Download the OpenVPN configuration-file (ovpn file) from the Server Info page on your 1A server
  • Place the ovpn file in C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\
3
Configure OpenVPN to "run as an Administrator" (1)
  • On your desktop, right-click icon "OpenVPN GUI"
Configure OpenVPN to "run as an Administrator" (1)
4
Configure OpenVPN to "run as an Administrator" (2)
  • Select Properties
  • Go to tab Compatibility
  • Activate option "Run this program as an administrator"
  • Click OK
Configure OpenVPN to "run as an Administrator" (2)
5
Done
  • You can now start using the OpenVPN Client

Troubleshooting

1
Symptom: Cannot reach server by name
  • Cause: Some versions of Windows 10 never query the DNS from the VPN-connection
  • Solution: This can be resolved by changing a setting in the VPN network connection
2
Open Network properties (1)
  • Click Start
  • Click Settings
Open Network properties (1)
3
Open Network properties (2)
  • Click Network & Internet
Open Network properties (2)
4
Change adapter settings
  • Click Change adapter settings
Change adapter settings
5
Open properties for your VPN connection
  • Right-click your VPN connection (This is often called Tap)
  • Click Properties
Open properties for your VPN connection
6
Change IPv4 settings
  • In tab Network select IPv4 and open Properties
  • Click Advanced
  • Uncheck Automatic Metric
  • In field Interface Metric enter "1"
  • Save the settings, return to the Network tab for IPv6
Change IPv4 settings
7
Change IPv6 settings
  • In tab Network select IPv6 and open Properties
  • Click advanced
  • Uncheck Automatic Metric
  • In field Interface Metric enter "1"
  • Save the settings
8
Done
  • Start the VPN connection
    You should now be able to reach the server by name