How to setup VPN Server in Linode

This guide will help you to set up a VPN gateway with the popular cloud infrastructure provider Linode using UTunnel VPN.

UTunnel facilitates easy VPN gateway deployment with many cloud providers including Linode. To make server deployment even easier and hassle-free for Linode users, we have made UTunnel VPN One-Click App available in the Linode marketplace.

Please find the detailed instructions below on how to set up your Linode VPN gateway using UTunnel:

1. Log in to your Linode account and click on the StackScripts menu on the left side of the page.

4. Select Region, Linode Plan of your choice and click on Create button on right side of the page.

5. Note down the newly created Linode's IP address when the deployment is completed and it's ready to use.

The first stage ends here. Next, you have to login to UTunnel dashboard and proceed with Access Gateway creation and complete the payment.

1. Login to UTunel dashboard and  navigate to the CREATE button in the Create an Access Gateway section.

2. You will land on the Create Access Gateway page. Here you can provide your billing address details. This step is optional. You can either provide the details and click on the Proceed button or select the Skip button to do it later from the Billing tab on your dashboard.

3. The next step is to select On-Premise option and enter the Access Gateway details as given below:

• Package: You can select from Basic or Standard subscription options
• Access Gateway Type: Select On-Premise
• Access Gateway Name: An easily identifiable name of your choice
• IP address: Enter your server IP address
• VPN accounts: Select the number of VPN users you want to allow access to this VPN gateway
• Coupon: Enter if you have any coupon available

After configuring your Access Gateway specifications, continue to click on the Proceed button.

4.  You will be directed to the Order Summary page which displays the details of your order. Click on the PROCEED button.

5. Now enter your credit card details as required on the screen and click on the Start Your Trial/Pay Now option.

6. You will be directed to the Access Gateway Overview page where you can see the status of Access Gateway creation.

7. Once the Access Gateway is created, you can see the registration token displayed on the Access Gateway Overview page. You are advised to copy the registration token to a safe place, as it is required to register and deploy the Access Gateway.

8. Now it's the time to connect to your server via SSH. You will need sudo access to complete the below steps. After the successful login, execute the below commands. Remember to replace the string 'REGISTRATION_TOKEN' in the first command with the actual token you obtained in the above step.

sudo /utunnel/bin/utnservice update

sudo /utunnel/bin/utnservice register REGISTRATION_TOKEN

Now it's time to start the UTunnel Service on your server. Run the following command for the same.

sudo /utunnel/bin/utnservice start

9. Make sure that inbound connections to the following ports are allowed to accept VPN connections.

Ports used for OpenVPN connections

• TCP 443
• UDP 443
• UDP 53 (if scramble VPN is enabled)

Ports used for IPSEC connections

• UDP 4500
• UDP 500

Ports used for managing UTunnel services like live sessions, firewalls, and site-to-site tunneling.

• TCP 38081
   

Now your Linode VPN gateway would be ready to accept VPN connections. Invite users to your Access Gateway and start using VPN services.