IPsec VPN Server Auto Setup Scripts

Set up your own IPsec VPN server in just a few minutes, with IPsec/L2TP, Cisco IPsec and IKEv2.

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.

We will use Libreswan as the IPsec server, and xl2tpd as the L2TP provider.

» :book: Book: Build Your Own VPN Server: A Step by Step Guide

Quick start

First, prepare your Linux server* with an install of Ubuntu, Debian or CentOS.

Use this one-liner to set up an IPsec VPN server:

wget https://get.vpnsetup.net -O vpn.sh && sudo sh vpn.sh

Your VPN login details will be randomly generated, and displayed when finished.

Optional: Install WireGuard and/or OpenVPN on the same server.

<details> <summary> See the script in action (terminal recording). </summary>

Note: This recording is for demo purposes only. VPN credentials in this recording are NOT valid.

<p align="center"><img src="docs/images/script-demo.svg"></p> </details> <details> <summary> Click here if you are unable to download. </summary>

You may also use curl to download:

curl -fsSL https://get.vpnsetup.net -o vpn.sh && sudo sh vpn.sh

Alternative setup URLs:

https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/raw/master/vpnsetup.sh
https://gitlab.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/-/raw/master/vpnsetup.sh

If you are unable to download, open vpnsetup.sh, then 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.

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A pre-built Docker image is also available. For other options and client setup, read the sections below.

* A cloud server, virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server.

Features

Fully automated IPsec VPN server setup, no user input needed
Supports IKEv2 with strong and fast ciphers (e.g. AES-GCM)
Generates VPN profiles to auto-configure iOS, macOS and Android devices
Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS and Linux as VPN clients
Includes helper scripts to manage VPN users and certificates

Requirements

A cloud server, virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server, with an install of:

Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04
Debian 12 or 11
CentOS Stream 9
Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux 9/8
Oracle Linux 9, 8 or 7
Amazon Linux 2

<details> <summary> Other supported Linux distributions. </summary>

Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian)
Kali Linux
Alpine Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

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This also includes Linux VMs in public clouds, such as DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, OVH and Microsoft Azure. Public cloud users can also deploy using user data.

Quick deploy to:

» I want to run my own VPN but don't have a server for that

For servers with an external firewall (e.g. EC2/GCE), open UDP ports 500 and 4500 for the VPN.

A pre-built Docker image is also available. Advanced users can install on a Raspberry Pi. [1] [2]

:warning: DO NOT run these scripts on your PC or Mac! They should only be used on a server!

Installation

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.

To install the VPN, please choose one of the following options:

Option 1: Have the script generate random VPN credentials for you (will be displayed when finished).

wget https://get.vpnsetup.net -O vpn.sh && sudo sh vpn.sh

Option 2: Edit the script and provide your own VPN credentials.

wget https://get.vpnsetup.net -O vpn.sh
nano -w vpn.sh
[Replace with your own values: YOUR_IPSEC_PSK, YOUR_USERNAME and YOUR_PASSWORD]
sudo sh vpn.sh

Note: A secure IPsec PSK should consist of at least 20 random characters.

Option 3: Define your VPN credentials as environment variables.

# All values MUST be placed inside 'single quotes'
# DO NOT use these special characters within values: \ " '
wget https://get.vpnsetup.net -O vpn.sh
sudo VPN_IPSEC_PSK='your_ipsec_pre_shared_key' \
VPN_USER='your_vpn_username' \
VPN_PASSWORD='your_vpn_password' \
sh vpn.sh

You may optionally install WireGuard and/or OpenVPN on the same server. If your server runs CentOS Stream, Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux, first install OpenVPN/WireGuard, then install the IPsec VPN.

<details> <summary> Click here if you are unable to download. </summary>

You may also use curl to download. For example:

curl -fL https://get.vpnsetup.net -o vpn.sh
sudo sh vpn.sh

Alternative setup URLs:

https://github.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/raw/master/vpnsetup.sh
https://gitlab.com/hwdsl2/setup-ipsec-vpn/-/raw/master/vpnsetup.sh

If you are unable to download, open vpnsetup.sh, then 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.

</details> <details> <summary> I want to install the older Libreswan version 4. </summary>

It is generally recommended to use the latest Libreswan version 5, which is the default version in this project. However, if you want to install the older Libreswan version 4:

wget https://get.vpnsetup.net -O vpn.sh
sudo VPN_SWAN_VER=4.15 sh vpn.sh

Note: If Libreswan version 5 is already installed, you may need to first Uninstall the VPN before installing Libreswan version 4. Alternatively, download the update script, edit it to specify SWAN_VER=4.15, then run the script.

</details>

Customize VPN options

Use alternative DNS servers

By default, clients are set to use Google Public DNS when the VPN is active. When installing the VPN, you may optionally specify custom DNS server(s) for all VPN modes. Example:

sudo VPN_DNS_SRV1=1.1.1.1 VPN_DNS_SRV2=1.0.0.1 sh vpn.sh

Use VPN_DNS_SRV1 to specify the primary DNS server, and VPN_DNS_SRV2 to specify the secondary DNS server (optional).

Below is a list of some popular public DNS providers for your reference.

Provider	Primary DNS	Secondary DNS	Notes
Google Public DNS	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4	Default in this project
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1	See also: Cloudflare for families
Quad9	9.9.9.9	149.112.112.112	Blocks malicious domains
OpenDNS	208.67.222.222	208.67.220.220	Blocks phishing domains, configurable.
CleanBrowsing	185.228.168.9	185.228.169.9	Domain filters available
NextDNS	Varies	Varies	Ad blocking, free tier available. Learn more.
Control D	Varies	Varies	Ad blocking, configurable. Learn more.

If you need to change DNS servers after VPN setup, see Advanced usage.

Note: If IKEv2 is already set up on the server, the variables above have no effect for IKEv2 mode. In that case, to customize IKEv2 options such as DNS servers, you can first remove IKEv2, then set it up again using sudo ikev2.sh.

Customize IKEv2 options

When installing the VPN, advanced users can optionally customize IKEv2 options.

<details open> <summary> Option 1: Skip IKEv2 during VPN setup, then set up IKEv2 using custom options. </summary>

When installing the VPN, you can skip IKEv2 and only install the IPsec/L2TP and IPsec/XAuth ("Cisco IPsec") modes:

sudo VPN_SKIP_IKEV2=yes sh vpn.sh

(Optional) If you want to specify custom DNS server(s) for VPN clients, define VPN_DNS_SRV1 and optionally VPN_DNS_SRV2. See Use alternative DNS servers for details.

After that, run the IKEv2 helper script to set up IKEv2 interactively using custom options:

sudo ikev2.sh

You can customize the following options: VPN server's DNS name, name and validity period of the first client, DNS server for VPN clients and whether to password protect client config files.

Note: The VPN_SKIP_IKEV2 variable has no effect if IKEv2 is already set up on the server. In that case, to customize IKEv2 options, you can first remove IKEv2, then set it up again using sudo ikev2.sh.

</details> <details> <summary> Option 2: Customize IKEv2 options using environment variables. </summary>

When installing the VPN, you can optionally specify a DNS name for the IKEv2 server address. The DNS name must be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN). Example:

sudo VPN_DNS_NAME='vpn.example.com' sh vpn.sh

Similarly, you may specify a name for the first IKEv2 client. The default is vpnclient if not specified.

sudo VPN_CLIENT_NAME='your_client_name' sh vpn.sh

By default, clients are set to use Google Public DNS when the VPN is active. You may specify custom DNS server(s) for all VPN modes. Example:

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 can choose to protect client config files using a random password.

sudo VPN_PROTECT_CONFIG=yes sh vpn.sh

</details> <details> <summary> For reference: List of IKEv1 and IKEv2 parameters. </summary>

IKEv1 parameter*	Default value	Customize (env variable)**
Server address (DNS name)	-	No, but you can connect using a DNS name
Server address (public IP)	Auto detect	VPN_PUBLIC_IP
IPsec pre-shared key	Auto generate	VPN_IPSEC_PSK
VPN username	vpnuser	VPN_USER
VPN password	Auto generate	VPN_PASSWORD
DNS servers for clients	Google Public DNS	VPN_DNS_SRV1, VPN_DNS_SRV2
Skip IKEv2 setup	no	VPN_SKIP_IKEV2=yes

* These IKEv1 parameters are for IPsec/L2TP and IPsec/XAuth ("Cisco IPsec") modes.
** Define these as environment variables when running vpn(setup).sh.

IKEv2 parameter*	Default value	Customize (env variable)**	Customize (interactive)***
Server address (DNS name)	-	VPN_DNS_NAME	✅
Server address (public IP)	Auto detect	VPN_PUBLIC_IP	✅
Name of first client	vpnclient	VPN_CLIENT_NAME	✅
DNS servers for clients	Google Public DNS	VPN_DNS_SRV1, VPN_DNS_SRV2	✅
Protect client config files	no	VPN_PROTECT_CONFIG=yes	✅
Enable/Disable MOBIKE	Enable if supported	❌	✅
Client cert validity	10 years (120 months)	VPN_CLIENT_VALIDITY****	✅
CA & server cert validity	10 years (120 months)	❌	❌
CA certificate name	IKEv2 VPN CA	❌	❌
Certificate key size	3072 bits	❌	❌

* These IKEv2 parameters are for IKEv2 mode.
** Define these as environment variables when running vpn(setup).sh, or when setting up IKEv2 in auto mode (sudo ikev2.sh --auto).
*** Can be customized during interactive IKEv2 setup (sudo ikev2.sh). Refer to option 2 above.
**** Use VPN_CLIENT_VALIDITY to specify the client cert validity period in months. Must be an integer between 1 and 120.

In addition to these parameters, advanced users can also customize VPN subnets during VPN setup.

</details>