OpenVPN Server vs OpenVPN Client vs User

FrankZappa

I'm new to PFSense and I'm trying to figure out the difference between OpenVPN Servers, OpenVPN Clients, and Users. Do I need to set up a new OpenVPN Client for each individual User? Not sure I understand the difference between the server and the client.

DaddyGo

@FrankZappa said in OpenVPN Server vs OpenVPN Client vs User:

I'm new to PFSense and I'm trying to figure out the difference between OpenVPN Servers, OpenVPN Clients

Hi,

This is a very fundamental question so I would start doing IT studies essentially
(client - server connections and basic concepts)

Then I would study these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client%E2%80%93server_model
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network
https://openvpn.net/
https://docs.netgate.com/manuals/pfsense/en/latest/the-pfsense-book.pdf

after:

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/vpn/openvpn/openvpn-remote-access-server.html
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/vpn/openvpn/using-the-openvpn-client-export-package.html

+++edit:
btw:

This is not a pfSense question, it is basically an IT question.

+++edit2:

anyway I really like your music, glad you live again

FrankZappa

Thank You DaddyGo. Perhaps I should clarify; I'm not a newbie to OpenVPN. While I'm no expert, I do have a working knowledge of the subject. On my last router (Asus), I only needed to set up the OpenVPN Server and then authorize Users (with a user name and password). However, on PFSense (according to all the links you sent, as well as videos I've seen), I need to set up all three. Just asking why (or if) I need to run Clients as well.

DaddyGo

@FrankZappa said in OpenVPN Server vs OpenVPN Client vs User:

However, on PFSense (according to all the links you sent, as well as videos I've seen), I need to set up all three. Just asking why (or if) I need to run Clients as well.

No, no - pfSense can be a server or a client.

For example, if you have a OpenVPN (on pfSense) server then clients can connect to it remotely then you are using this:

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/vpn/openvpn/openvpn-remote-access-server.html

and to configure clients:

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/vpn/openvpn/using -a-openvpn-client-export-package.html

if pfSense is connected as client, to VPN provider (ExpressVPN, Nord VPN, etc.
then the pfSense client must be configured with the provider * .ovpn file
the user theme:
each access must specify who can access it...
(this is true of anything)

like:

with Cert.

as client for WAN_ExpressVPN:

FrankZappa

Got it. Thanks.

DaddyGo

@FrankZappa said in OpenVPN Server vs OpenVPN Client vs User:

Got it. Thanks.

You welcome