How do I get the DDNS hostname from pfSense?
In the OpenVPN settings (VPN > OpenVPN), select Client Export. If you have a static external IP address, leave the Host Name Resolution as Interface IP Address. If you have DDNS set up on pfSense, the DDNS hostname will be available in the dropdown list. If you have DDNS set up on another device, select Other and enter in the DDNS hostname.
What is pfSense and why should I use it?
Utilizing pfSense allows you to run OpenVPN on your router and offload the service to that device which is arguably the best place to have it running. OpenVPN is a little more complex to set up on pfSense than it is on a Raspberry Pi or Synology NAS, but that’s just how pfSense is.
What is the best way to run OpenVPN on a router?
I’ve created a few OpenVPN tutorials using a Raspberry Pi or Synology NAS, but out of all implementations, this is my “favorite”. Utilizing pfSense allows you to run OpenVPN on your router and offload the service to that device which is arguably the best place to have it running.
1. OpenVPN Server Setup
The easiest way to set up OpenVPN is by using the OpenVPN wizard. It will guide you through most of the process.
2. Client Export Package & User Accounts - How to Set Up OpenVPN on pfSense
Ensure that you install the openvpn-client-export package from the Package Manager ( System > Package Manager > Available Packages ).
3. OpenVPN Client Configuration
Now that the client export tool and user account are created, we can proceed in exporting our configuration file.
4. Conclusion - How to Set Up OpenVPN on pfSense
This tutorial showed how to set up OpenVPN on pfSense. Fortunately, by using the wizard and client-export tools, the process to set up a OpenVPN on pfSense is relatively straight forward. You can now create as many users as you’d like, export their own configuration file and they will be able to connect to your VPN server!