VPN client does not connect to OpenVPN server (error).

IrixOS · Jun 30, 2018, 6:40 PM

Hi,

I can't connect to my OpenVPN server. It should work with the current configuration because I have done it before in the far past and it wasn't that hard, unless they changed something overtime.

This is the error I get, I think this is a general error, which basically means it can be anything. I double checked the basic settings, gone through the manual over and over again. It is quite possible I might have overseen something. I am using a dynamic host name (no-ip) instead of an Interface address (Export key tab).

It is worth to mention and I included it in another screenshot, the OpenVPN server does not seem to be running, the green start button does not respond. As far as I can remember, this should be on prior connecting.

Can you guys help me out? Or can someone give me a lead where to start?

Other screenshots can be provided if necessary, but please God no,...

viragomann · Jul 2, 2018, 10:38 AM

As the server is not running it's naturally clear that the client can't connect.

The OpenVPN log on the server should provide the reason for the server cannot start.

IrixOS · Jul 2, 2018, 2:15 PM

Hmm, indeed, apparently the error was related to a wrong combination of a network statement and its subnet mask. The tunnel network does not accept /16 so I used /24. Very odd I must say the least. 172.16.1.0/16 is valid one right and therefore should work.

Thank you

jimp · Jul 2, 2018, 2:17 PM

(a) There is no reason to use a /16 for a VPN tunnel network, especially not with topology subnet. You are not going to get 65,500+ clients connected to a single OpenVPN server.

(b) 172.16.1.0/16 is not a valid network specification, 172.16.0.0/16 is where that /16 starts, which is the cause of that error.

IrixOS · Jul 8, 2018, 6:56 PM

Hmm, yes indeed.