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VPN client setup - help for a newbie

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jata

Senior Member
Hi all, hope someone can provide me with a few pointers on setting up and testing a OpenVPN client connection - i'm using my Smart DNS (also VPN) to test.

In summary I have downloaded the .ovpn config for the connection I want to use and have entered user credentials etc. I have been able to 'start' the VPN client session but I'm not sure it is working or connected successfully.

I'm using Merlin FW 386.2 on a AX58U.

below is what i see in the VPN client page - says 'connecting' but i'm thinking it should say 'connected' if all working ok?

1618973992205.png


Below is what I see in the VPN status page

1618974149516.png
 
Last edited:
It should say 'Connected' indeed, and show a local and remote IP, like this:

Screenshot_2021-04-21 ASUS Wireless Router RT-AC86U - OpenVPN Client Settings.png


Can you post your a screenshot of your VPN Client settings (hide your user credentials) and check syslog (left side menu, system messages > general log) for errors as to why it can't make a connection. The lines in syslog can be recognized as they show 'openvpn-client' after the date and time stamp.
 
Thanks @MvW

1618982156724.png


will post log separately (as having issues pasting them in this thread)
 
having trouble pasting log file so have attached. Note I changed the remote ip to x.x.x.x

apologies - looks like this is not working either. will download full log and post just a section of it - give me a minute...
 
having trouble pasting log file so have attached. Note I changed the remote ip to x.x.x.x

apologies - looks like this is not working either. will download full log and post just a section of it - give me a minute...
You can use a site like pastebin or something similar to post syslog. Just make sure to search and replace any sensitive information.
 
can you open this attachment?
 
I see the tunnel being setup, and shortly after being shutdown. You apparently get no WAN IP assigned. I also see several warnings, but can't pinpoint what is exactly wrong with your config. Pinging @eibgrad for assistance.
 
thanks - good to know that config looks okish.

Note that I turned VPN off (shutdown) as i thought the VPN was preventing me from posting the log!

additional info - I use nextDNS on the router. Could this be causing the issue?
 
I use nextDNS on the router. Could this be causing the issue?

I higly doubt that. I'm using the NextDNS CLI client myself and it works fine, both on WAN as well as VPN connections.
 
If you're connecting to a commercial OpenVPN service provider, it seems highly doubtful you would be asked to configure a P2P (point-to-point) tunnel, which it seems you're doing by specifying the local and remote endpoints (10.8.0.2 and 10.8.0.1) plus static key. 99% of the time it's PTMP (point to multipoint), where the OpenVPN server is being managed on behalf of *multiple* users (which means TLS, certs, etc.). P2P if a server configured for only *one* OpenVPN client!

But on the off chance this is a valid config, you've checked the static key field but apparently provided no actual key, as indicated by the following error message.

Code:
Apr 21 15:14:10 ovpn-client1[21656]: Cipher negotiation is disabled since neither P2MP client nor server mode is enabled
...
Apr 21 15:14:10 ovpn-client1[21657]: ******* WARNING *******: All encryption and authentication features disabled -- All data will be tunnelled as clear text and will not be protected against man-in-the-middle changes. PLEASE DO RECONSIDER THIS CONFIGURATION!
 
Last edited:
thanks - good to know that config looks okish.

Note that I turned VPN off (shutdown) as i thought the VPN was preventing me from posting the log!

additional info - I use nextDNS on the router. Could this be causing the issue?
All OpenVPN clients will issue
Code:
 ovpn-clientX[nnnnn]: Initialization Sequence Completed
if the configuration is deemed valid rather than 'OKish'

Whilst I don't currently have access to my RT-AX58U, I suggest you ensure that the import of the .ovpn file was successful, and try the following settings as shown on an RT-AC86U

1618997387417.png
 
got it working. thanks all.

Issue were:

1. needed to add BF-CBC to list of data ciphers in crypto settings
2. VPN user name was different to normal smart DNS username

I only worked out 2 after fixing issue 1 as I got further through the initiation process.
 
All OpenVPN clients will issue
Code:
ovpn-clientX[nnnnn]: Initialization Sequence Completed
if the configuration is deemed valid rather than 'OKish'

Whilst I don't currently have access to my RT-AX58U, I suggest you ensure that the import of the .ovpn file was successful, and try the following settings as shown on an RT-AC86U

View attachment 33344

Hello
I too am a bit at a loss with OpenVPN at the moment and can't seem to have it working, as it used to.
When you indicate:

All OpenVPN clients will issue
Code:
ovpn-clientX[nnnnn]: Initialization Sequence Completed

Is that router/firwware specific?
Asking because I can't see any such messages...
A cursory 'openvpn' word search of syslog only yields:

1619722975250.png


Note: The router restarts at 4:00 AM, as intended.

I have also edited tons of annoying '[Datetime] kernel: [MAC address] not mesh client, can't update it's ip' message, as RMerlin indicated those were left-overs from an untidied Samsung core-code. Incidentally, the MAC address they indicate is the one of the opvpn client 1. Spooked.

Can you spot anything worthy of further digging?
Is that serious, doctor? :)

Thank you
M
 

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