Set up your own IPsec VPN server in just a few minutes, with IPsec/L2TP, Cisco IPsec and IKEv2. All you need to do is provide your own VPN credentials, and let the scripts handle the rest.
An IPsec VPN encrypts your network traffic, so that nobody between you and the VPN server can eavesdrop on your data as it travels via the Internet. This is especially useful when using unsecured networks, e.g. at coffee shops, airports or hotel rooms.
A pre-built [Docker image](https://github.com/hwdsl2/docker-ipsec-vpn-server) is also available. For other installation options and client setup, read the sections below.
This also includes Linux VMs in public clouds, such as [DigitalOcean](https://blog.ls20.com/digitalocean), [Vultr](https://blog.ls20.com/vultr), [Linode](https://blog.ls20.com/linode), [Microsoft Azure](https://azure.microsoft.com) and [OVH](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en/vps/). [Amazon EC2](https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/) users can deploy rapidly using [CloudFormation](aws/README.md) or [user data](https://blog.ls20.com/ipsec-l2tp-vpn-auto-setup-for-ubuntu-12-04-on-amazon-ec2/#vpnsetup).
[](http://dovpn.carlfriess.com) [](https://cloud.linode.com/stackscripts/37239) [](aws/README.md) [](azure/README.md)
[**» I want to run my own VPN but don't have a server for that**](https://blog.ls20.com/ipsec-l2tp-vpn-auto-setup-for-ubuntu-12-04-on-amazon-ec2/#gettingavps)
A pre-built [Docker image](https://github.com/hwdsl2/docker-ipsec-vpn-server) is also available. Advanced users can install on a [Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.org). [[1]](https://elasticbyte.net/posts/setting-up-a-native-cisco-ipsec-vpn-server-using-a-raspberry-pi/) [[2]](https://www.stewright.me/2018/07/create-a-raspberry-pi-vpn-server-using-l2tpipsec/)
First, update your server with `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade` (Ubuntu/Debian) or `sudo yum update` and reboot. This is optional, but recommended.
Advanced users can optionally specify a DNS name to be used as the VPN server address for IKEv2 mode. The DNS name must be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN). It will be included in the generated server certificate. Example:
```bash
sudo VPN_DNS_NAME='vpn.example.com' sh vpn.sh
```
Similarly, you may optionally specify a name for the first IKEv2 client. The default is `vpnclient` if not specified.
```bash
sudo VPN_CLIENT_NAME='your_client_name' sh vpn.sh
```
By default, clients are set to use [Google Public DNS](https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/) when the VPN is active. Advanced users may optionally specify custom DNS server(s) for all VPN modes. Example:
```bash
sudo VPN_DNS_SRV1=1.1.1.1 VPN_DNS_SRV2=1.0.0.1 sh vpn.sh
```
By default, no password is required when importing IKEv2 client configuration. You may optionally choose to protect client config files using a random password. Example:
Alternatively, open [vpnsetup.sh](vpnsetup.sh) and click the `Raw` button on the right. Press `Ctrl/Cmd+A` to select all, `Ctrl/Cmd+C` to copy, then paste into your favorite editor.
**Windows users**: For IPsec/L2TP mode, a [one-time registry change](docs/clients.md#windows-error-809) is required if the VPN server or client is behind NAT (e.g. home router).
The same VPN account can be used by your multiple devices. However, due to an IPsec/L2TP limitation, if you wish to connect multiple devices from behind the same NAT (e.g. home router), you must use [IKEv2](docs/ikev2-howto.md) or [IPsec/XAuth](docs/clients-xauth.md) mode.
For servers with an external firewall (e.g. [EC2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/ec2-security-groups.html)/[GCE](https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/firewalls)), open UDP ports 500 and 4500 for the VPN. Aliyun users, see [#433](https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/issues/433).
Clients are set to use [Google Public DNS](https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/) when the VPN is active. If another DNS provider is preferred, see [Advanced usage](docs/advanced-usage.md).
Using kernel support could improve IPsec/L2TP performance. It is available on [all supported OS](#requirements). Ubuntu users should install the `linux-modules-extra-$(uname -r)` (or `linux-image-extra`) package and run `service xl2tpd restart`.
Use this one-liner to update [Libreswan](https://libreswan.org) ([changelog](https://github.com/libreswan/libreswan/blob/main/CHANGES) | [announce](https://lists.libreswan.org/mailman/listinfo/swan-announce)) on your VPN server.
- Have an improvement suggestion for documentation or VPN scripts? Open an [Enhancement request](https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/issues/new/choose). [Pull requests](https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/pulls) are also welcome.
- If you found a reproducible bug, open a bug report for the [IPsec VPN](https://github.com/libreswan/libreswan/issues?q=is%3Aissue) or for the [VPN scripts](https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/issues/new/choose).
- Got a question? Please first search [existing issues](https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/issues?q=is%3Aissue) and comments [in this Gist](https://gist.github.com/hwdsl2/9030462#comments) and [on my blog](https://blog.ls20.com/ipsec-l2tp-vpn-auto-setup-for-ubuntu-12-04-on-amazon-ec2/#disqus_thread).
- Ask VPN related questions on the [Libreswan](https://lists.libreswan.org/mailman/listinfo/swan) or [strongSwan](https://lists.strongswan.org/mailman/listinfo/users) mailing list, or read these wikis: [[1]](https://libreswan.org/wiki/Main_Page) [[2]](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/security_guide/sec-securing_virtual_private_networks) [[3]](https://wiki.strongswan.org/projects/strongswan/wiki/UserDocumentation) [[4]](https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/IPsec_L2TP_VPN_server) [[5]](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Openswan_L2TP/IPsec_VPN_client_setup).
Copyright (C) 2014-2022 [Lin Song](https://github.com/hwdsl2) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/linsongui)
