Modern operating systems (such as Windows 7 and newer) support the IKEv2 standard. Internet Key Exchange (IKE or IKEv2) is the protocol used to set up a Security Association (SA) in the IPsec protocol suite. Compared to IKE version 1, IKEv2 contains <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Key_Exchange#Improvements_with_IKEv2"target="_blank">improvements</a> such as Standard Mobility support through MOBIKE, and improved reliability.
Libreswan can authenticate IKEv2 clients on the basis of X.509 Machine Certificates using RSA signatures. This method does not require an IPsec PSK, username or password. It can be used with:
After following this guide, you will be able to connect to the VPN using IKEv2 in addition to the existing [IPsec/L2TP](clients.md) and [IPsec/XAuth ("Cisco IPsec")](clients-xauth.md) modes.
**Important:** Before continuing, you should have successfully <ahref="https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn"target="_blank">set up your own VPN server</a>, and (optional but recommended) <ahref="../README.md#upgrade-libreswan"target="_blank">updated Libreswan</a>. **Docker users, see <a href="https://github.com/hwdsl2/docker-ipsec-vpn-server/blob/master/README.md#configure-and-use-ikev2-vpn" target="_blank">here</a>**.
The <ahref="../extras/ikev2setup.sh"target="_blank">script</a> must be run using `bash`, not `sh`. The command above runs the helper script in auto mode, using default options. Remove the `--auto` parameter if you want to customize IKEv2 setup options. When finished, continue to [configure IKEv2 VPN clients](#configure-ikev2-vpn-clients).
**Note:** If you specified the server's DNS name (instead of its IP address) during IKEv2 setup, you must enter the DNS name in the **Server** and **Remote ID** fields (if applicable). If you want to generate certificates for additional VPN clients, or export configuration for an existing client, just run the [helper script](#using-helper-scripts) again.
1. Securely transfer the generated `.p12` file to your computer, then import it into the "Computer account" certificate store. Make sure that the client cert is placed in "Personal -> Certificates", and the CA cert is placed in "Trusted Root Certification Authorities -> Certificates".
1. (Optional but recommended) Enable stronger ciphers for IKEv2 with a one-time registry change. Download and import the `.reg` file below, or run the following from an <ahref="http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/open-elevated-command-prompt-windows/"target="_blank">elevated command prompt</a>. Read more <ahref="https://wiki.strongswan.org/projects/strongswan/wiki/WindowsClients#AES-256-CBC-and-MODP2048"target="_blank">here</a>.
- For Windows 7, 8.x and 10 ([download .reg file](https://dl.ls20.com/reg-files/v1/Enable_Stronger_Ciphers_for_IKEv2_on_Windows.reg))
Once successfully connected, you can verify that your traffic is being routed properly by <ahref="https://www.google.com/search?q=my+ip"target="_blank">looking up your IP address on Google</a>. It should say "Your public IP address is `Your VPN Server IP`".
First, securely transfer the generated `.mobileconfig` file to your Mac, then double-click and follow the prompts to import as a macOS profile. When finished, check to make sure "IKEv2 VPN configuration" is listed under System Preferences -> Profiles.
1. Open System Preferences and go to the Network section.
1. Select the VPN connection with `Your VPN Server IP` (or DNS name).
1. Check the **Show VPN status in menu bar** checkbox.
1. Click **Connect**.
(Optional feature) You can choose to enable <ahref="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/personal_vpn/vpn_on_demand_rules"target="_blank">VPN On Demand</a>. This is an "always-on" feature that can automatically connect to the VPN while on Wi-Fi. To enable, check the **Connect on demand** checkbox for the VPN connection, and click **Apply**.
<details>
<summary>
If you manually set up IKEv2 without using the helper script, click here to see instructions.
First, securely transfer the generated `.p12` file to your Mac, then double-click to import into the **login** keychain in **Keychain Access**. Next, double-click on the imported `IKEv2 VPN CA` certificate, expand **Trust** and select **Always Trust** from the **IP Security (IPsec)** drop-down menu. Close the dialog using the red "X" on the top-left corner. When prompted, use Touch ID or enter your password and click "Update Settings".
When finished, check to make sure both the new client certificate and `IKEv2 VPN CA` are listed under the **Certificates** category of **login** keychain.
1. Open System Preferences and go to the Network section.
1. Click the **+** button in the lower-left corner of the window.
1. Select **VPN** from the **Interface** drop-down menu.
1. Select **IKEv2** from the **VPN Type** drop-down menu.
1. Enter anything you like for the **Service Name**.
1. Click **Create**.
1. Enter `Your VPN Server IP` (or DNS name) for the **Server Address**.
1. Enter `Your VPN Server IP` (or DNS name) for the **Remote ID**.
1. Enter `Your VPN client name` in the **Local ID** field.
**Note:** This must match exactly the client name you specified during IKEv2 setup. Same as the first part of your `.p12` filename.
1. Click the **Authentication Settings...** button.
1. Select **None** from the **Authentication Settings** drop-down menu.
1. Select the **Certificate** radio button, then select the new client certificate.
1. Click **OK**.
1. Check the **Show VPN status in menu bar** checkbox.
1. Click **Apply** to save the VPN connection information.
Once successfully connected, you can verify that your traffic is being routed properly by <ahref="https://www.google.com/search?q=my+ip"target="_blank">looking up your IP address on Google</a>. It should say "Your public IP address is `Your VPN Server IP`".
First, securely transfer the generated `.mobileconfig` file to your iOS device, then import it as an iOS profile. To transfer the file, you may use:
1. AirDrop, or
1. Upload to your device using "File Sharing" in iTunes, then open the "Files" app on your iOS device, move the uploaded file to the "On My iPhone" folder. After that, tap the file and go to "Settings" to import, or
1. Host the file on a secure website of yours, then download and import it in Mobile Safari.
When finished, check to make sure "IKEv2 VPN configuration" is listed under Settings -> General -> Profile(s).
1. Go to Settings -> General -> VPN.
1. Select the VPN connection with `Your VPN Server IP` (or DNS name).
1. Slide the **VPN** switch ON.
(Optional feature) You can choose to enable <ahref="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/personal_vpn/vpn_on_demand_rules"target="_blank">VPN On Demand</a>. This is an "always-on" feature that can automatically connect to the VPN while on Wi-Fi. To enable, tap the "i" icon on the right of the VPN connection, and enable **Connect On Demand**.
<details>
<summary>
If you manually set up IKEv2 without using the helper script, click here to see instructions.
First, securely transfer the generated `ikev2vpnca.cer` and `.p12` files to your iOS device, then import them one by one as iOS profiles. To transfer the files, you may use:
1. Upload to your device using "File Sharing" in iTunes, then open the "Files" app on your iOS device, move the uploaded files to the "On My iPhone" folder. After that, tap each file and go to "Settings" to import, or
Once successfully connected, you can verify that your traffic is being routed properly by <ahref="https://www.google.com/search?q=my+ip"target="_blank">looking up your IP address on Google</a>. It should say "Your public IP address is `Your VPN Server IP`".
Once successfully connected, you can verify that your traffic is being routed properly by <ahref="https://www.google.com/search?q=my+ip"target="_blank">looking up your IP address on Google</a>. It should say "Your public IP address is `Your VPN Server IP`".
1. Securely transfer the generated `.p12` file to your Android device.
1. Install <ahref="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.strongswan.android"target="_blank">strongSwan VPN Client</a> from **Google Play**.
1. Launch the strongSwan VPN client and tap **Add VPN Profile**.
1. Enter `Your VPN Server IP` (or DNS name) in the **Server** field.
1. Select **IKEv2 Certificate** from the **VPN Type** drop-down menu.
1. Tap **Select user certificate**, then tap **Install certificate**.
1. Choose the `.p12` file you transferred from the VPN server, and follow the prompts.
**Note:** To find the `.p12` file, click on the three-line menu button, then click on your device name.
1.**(Important)** Tap **Show advanced settings**. Scroll down, find and enable the **Use RSA/PSS signatures** option.
1. Save the new VPN connection, then tap to connect.
Once successfully connected, you can verify that your traffic is being routed properly by <ahref="https://www.google.com/search?q=my+ip"target="_blank">looking up your IP address on Google</a>. It should say "Your public IP address is `Your VPN Server IP`".
If you want to generate certificates for additional IKEv2 VPN clients, just run the [helper script](#using-helper-scripts) again. Or you may refer to step 4 in [this section](#manually-set-up-ikev2-on-the-vpn-server).
By default, the [IKEv2 helper script](#using-helper-scripts) exports client configuration after running. If later you want to export configuration for an existing client, run the helper script again and select the appropriate option.
In certain circumstances, you may need to revoke a previously generated VPN client certificate. This can be done using `crlutil`. See example steps below, commands must be run as `root`.
1. Check the database, and identify the nickname of the client certificate you want to revoke.
```bash
certutil -L -d sql:/etc/ipsec.d
```
```
Certificate Nickname Trust Attributes
SSL,S/MIME,JAR/XPI
IKEv2 VPN CA CTu,u,u
($PUBLIC_IP) u,u,u
vpnclient-to-revoke u,u,u
```
In this example, we will revoke the certificate with nickname `vpnclient-to-revoke`, issued by `IKEv2 VPN CA`.
1. Find the serial number of this client certificate.
Signature Algorithm: PKCS #1 SHA-256 With RSA Encryption
Issuer: "O=IKEv2 VPN,CN=IKEv2 VPN CA"
This Update: Sat Jun 06 22:00:00 2020
CRL Extensions:
```
1. Add the client certificate you want to revoke to the CRL. Here we specify the certificate's serial number in decimal, and the revocation time in GeneralizedTime format (YYYYMMDDhhmmssZ) in UTC.
Signature Algorithm: PKCS #1 SHA-256 With RSA Encryption
Issuer: "O=IKEv2 VPN,CN=IKEv2 VPN CA"
This Update: Sat Jun 06 22:02:00 2020
Entry 1 (0x1):
Serial Number:
00:cd:69:ff:74
Revocation Date: Sat Jun 06 22:01:00 2020
CRL Extensions:
```
**Note:** If you want to remove a certificate from the CRL, replace `addcert 3446275956 20200606220100Z` above with `rmcert 3446275956`. For other `crlutil` usage, read <ahref="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Projects/NSS/tools/NSS_Tools_crlutil"target="_blank">here</a>.
1. Finally, let Libreswan re-read the updated CRL.
As an alternative to using the [helper script](#using-helper-scripts), advanced users can manually set up IKEv2. The following example shows how to manually configure IKEv2 with Libreswan. Commands below must be run as `root`.
**Note:** The <ahref="https://wiki.strongswan.org/projects/strongswan/wiki/MobIke"target="_blank">MOBIKE</a> IKEv2 extension allows VPN clients to change network attachment points, e.g. switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi and keep the IPsec tunnel up on the new IP. If your server (or Docker host) is **NOT** running Ubuntu Linux, and you wish to enable MOBIKE support, replace `mobike=no` with `mobike=yes` in the command above. **DO NOT** enable this option on Ubuntu systems or Raspberry Pis.
**Note:** If you specified the server's DNS name (instead of its IP address) in step 1 above, you must replace `--extSAN "ip:$PUBLIC_IP,dns:$PUBLIC_IP"` in the command below with `--extSAN "dns:$PUBLIC_IP"`.
**Note:** You may repeat this step to generate certificates for additional VPN clients, but make sure to replace every `vpnclient` with `vpnclient2`, etc. To connect multiple VPN clients simultaneously, you must generate a unique certificate for each.
**Note:** To display a certificate, use `certutil -L -d sql:/etc/ipsec.d -n "Nickname"`. To revoke a client certificate, follow [these steps](#revoke-a-client-certificate). For other `certutil` usage, read <ahref="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Projects/NSS/tools/NSS_Tools_certutil"target="_blank">here</a>.
Before continuing, you **must** restart the IPsec service. The IKEv2 setup on the VPN server is now complete. Follow instructions to [configure VPN clients](#configure-ikev2-vpn-clients).
1. The built-in VPN client in Windows may not support IKEv2 fragmentation (this feature <ahref="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-ikee/74df968a-7125-431d-9c98-4ea929e548dc"target="_blank">requires</a> Windows 10 v1803 or newer). On some networks, this can cause the connection to fail or have other issues. You may instead try the <ahref="clients.md"target="_blank">IPsec/L2TP</a> or <ahref="clients-xauth.md"target="_blank">IPsec/XAuth</a> mode.
1. Ubuntu 18.04 users may encounter the error "The password you entered is incorrect" when trying to import the generated `.p12` file into Windows. This is due to a bug in `NSS`. Read more <ahref="https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/issues/414#issuecomment-460495258"target="_blank">here</a>.
1. If using the strongSwan Android VPN client, you must <ahref="../README.md#upgrade-libreswan"target="_blank">upgrade Libreswan</a> on your server to version 3.26 or above.
If you want to remove IKEv2 from the VPN server, but keep the [IPsec/L2TP](clients.md) and [IPsec/XAuth ("Cisco IPsec")](clients-xauth.md) modes, follow these steps. Commands must be run as `root`. Note that this will delete all IKEv2 configuration and **cannot be undone**!
1. Delete certificates. Replace "Nickname" below with each certificate's nickname. Repeat for each certificate. When finished, list certificates in the IPsec database again, and confirm that the list is empty.
