First off the method you use will depend on which files you receive. The VPN uses certificates and keys for authentication. The minimum to make the VPN work requires 3 things.
If you have only these files then you will need to use the longer 'B' method. If you also receive a file like openvpn.ovpn then that file along with the other three files will basically do all of the configuration for you and you can use the shorter 'A' method.
The 'A' Method
First you are going to want to click on the little arrows which denote your connection and go down to VPN Connections and Configure VPN like shown.
At this point since you have the 'ovpn' file you will click on Import. This is because that file has all the configuration information you need and you will not have to worry about adding anything else.
At this point you will browse to wherever you saved all 4 of the files and click on the 'ovpn' file in this case it was openvpn.ovpn.
What will pop up will be all the configuration information. Unless you know what you are doing the only thing you may want to change is the 'Connection Name' since it shows up as 'openvpn'. You may wish to change it to something like PPCA VPN or Ostra.ca VPN. This is more important if you have multiple VPNs like a work VPN that you need to get into your work network. Atwhich point you will hit save and you will have a new VPN connection show up.
Now just go click on the arrows icon again and down to VPN connection and click whatever you named the VPN as.
After a few seconds you'll get something like this. At that point you may want to close and reopen any applications which have network connections so that they can use the VPN instead of the basic connection and thus have their data protected from prying eyes of your ISP, Government and Companies.
The 'B' Method is if you do not get the 'ovpn' file. It has an extra step or two but it will get you up and running. It starts out the same as the other one by going to Configure VPN.
Instead of clicking on 'Import' this method you click on 'Add'.
It will give you this display. Make sure OpenVPN is selected and click on 'Create'.
You will get a screen like this which you will need to fill in in the next step.
You will want to change the Connection Name especially if you have multiple VPNs that you use like this one and a work one.
You will want to use 'Conenct Automatically' unless you have multiple VPNs that you use.
What you will use for 'Gateway' will be 'vpn.ostra.ca'.
You will use certificate authentication.
Now is where you will need the three files. You will get one for 'User Certificate' and 'CA Certificate' and 'Private Key'. The three of these need to be entered into the right places. The bonus to doing it this way is it does not require a username or password for authentication.
You arent done yet though, Our VPN requires a few changes in the advanced settings. Thus you need to click on Advanced.
The Avanced Options window will open looking like this. You will follow the instructions in the next step to get the settings right..
Click on 'Use Custom Gateway Port'. The port number you are going to enter is 443. This is also the same port many HTTPS websites use.
Click on the 'Use LZO data compression'. I believe this compresses data sent over the connection to enhance bandwidth usage.
Click on the 'Use a TCP connection' setting. This makes the VPN work.
When you do all this click on OK then Save and follow the same last two or three steps as in the 'A' Method. To start up your VPN connection.
Add new comment