1A First Alternative

Setting up a VPN connection (OpenVPN) - Windows 11

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.

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 the OpenVPN Client
  • Double-click icon "OpenVPN Connect"
Start the OpenVPN Client
2
Reconnect with your company's network
  • On the "Profiles" page OpenVPN shows the networks you have connected with before.
  • Activate the slide on the left side of the "OpenVPN Profile" to reconnect.
  • If you did not activate "Save Password" OpenVPN wil ask for your password.
  • Note: Option "Save password" is a potential risk, we recommend you do NOT use this, especially on shared computers
Reconnect with your company's network
3
Connected to your company's network
  • You are now connected to your company's network.
  • If you want to disconnect, you can deactivate the slide.
Connected to your company's network
4
Disconnect
  • On the right-hand side of your taskbar, click on the arrow pointing up.
  • Right-click the OpenVPN icon.
  • Select Disconnect
Disconnect

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-3.3.7.2979_signed.msi
    Tip: Execute the installer through right-click option "Run as Administrator"
2
Download the configuration-file
  • Download the OpenVPN configuration-file (ovpn file) from the Server Info page on your 1A server
3
Start the OpenVPN Client (1)
  • Double-click the "OpenVPN Connect" icon
Start the OpenVPN Client (1)
4
Start the OpenVPN Client (2)
  • At the popup for "User Account Control", click "Yes"
  • After selecting yes this message will not appear again when starting OpenVPN.
  • You will not see this message if you have administrator access to your PC.
Start the OpenVPN Client (2)
5
Import the configuration-file into the OpenVPN Client
  • Click tab "File"
  • Click button "Browse"
  • Select the configuration-file
Import the configuration-file into the OpenVPN Client
6
Connect with your company's network
  • Fill in your username
  • Click button "connect"
  • Fill in your password
  • Click button "OK"
  • Note: Option "Save password" is a potential risk, we recommend you do NOT use this, especially on shared computers
Connect with your company's network
7
Done
  • You are now connected to your company's network.
  • If you want to disconnect, you can deactivate the slide.
Done

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