VPN Server Solutions

[hobla]

Up to macOS 10.12 Sierra it used to be easy with Server.app – we get 60-70 megabytes per second through a gigabit line on 10.12 Server with L2TP. What are you using instead?

I've looked into Wireguard, super fast (85 MB/s) but the setup is tedious. ZeroTier is reasonably fast (45 MB/s) and supports Bonjour, plus it's easy to install – reliability is not 100%, sometimes it just doesn't work. The Synology VPN client is too slow.

There are a few more: Tunnelblick, OpenVPN Enabler, Ubiquiti's EdgeRouter X (reported speeds seem low tho) – what are you using? Thanks for sharing.

 

[Marco Klobas]

I used to use the already mentioned OpenVPN Enabler with success. Tailscale could be another solution.

 

[genexx]

I would use a Router.........

 

[bogdanw]

Similar thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/vpn-server-for-catalina.2331598/

 

[dimme]

I have a raspberry PI as my vpn server. I used to use OSX server but that is option is gone now. The PI is running L2TP and integrates with the Mac nicely

 

[ladytonya]

I have a MacBook Pro and have been using OpenVPN for years. All of a sudden, I can't connect with my office's VPN. IT set me a connection up through the Settings but that's not a reliable connection, it keeps dropping. My IT people aren't very Mac knowledgable so we're really frustrated at this point. I'm running Ventura 13.3.1, is OpenVPN just completely no longer an option? Are there not any workarounds? I have go to be able to connect to my office VPN to do my job!

 

[bogdanw]

IT set me a connection up through the Settings but that's not a reliable connection, it keeps dropping.

OpenVPN in Settings? I knew L2TP, IPSec & IKEv2 are supported. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-a-vpn-connection-on-mac-mchlp2963/mac
Tunnelblick can be used for OpenVPN https://tunnelblick.net/downloads.html

 

[gilby101]

I have a MacBook Pro and have been using OpenVPN for years.

What software were you using for the OpenVPN connection? As @bogdanw says, there is no OpenVPN client included with macOS.

 

[hobowankenobi]

I have a MacBook Pro and have been using OpenVPN for years. All of a sudden, I can't connect with my office's VPN. IT set me a connection up through the Settings but that's not a reliable connection, it keeps dropping. My IT people aren't very Mac knowledgable so we're really frustrated at this point. I'm running Ventura 13.3.1, is OpenVPN just completely no longer an option? Are there not any workarounds? I have go to be able to connect to my office VPN to do my job!

The IT folks should be able to recommend the a VPN client based on the VPN server they use. Hard to know, as it may vary. At least they could give you the requirements. You can install OpenVPN.

 

[ssmed]

I have a MacBook Pro and have been using OpenVPN for years. All of a sudden, I can't connect with my office's VPN. IT set me a connection up through the Settings but that's not a reliable connection, it keeps dropping. My IT people aren't very Mac knowledgable so we're really frustrated at this point. I'm running Ventura 13.3.1, is OpenVPN just completely no longer an option? Are there not any workarounds? I have go to be able to connect to my office VPN to do my job!

More expensive, but commercial software e.g. VPNTRacker is comprehensive, reliable and very well documented and more reliable than DIY in the system settings.

VPN Tracker - #1 VPN Client for Mac - Supports IPSec, PPTP, OpenVPN & L2TP

VPN Tracker is the #1 VPN client for Mac. VPN Tracker supports 300+ VPN devices and connects you to IPSec, PPTP, OpenVPN & L2TP. Try it free.

www.vpntracker.com

 

[ssmed]

Up to macOS 10.12 Sierra it used to be easy with Server.app – we get 60-70 megabytes per second through a gigabit line on 10.12 Server with L2TP. What are you using instead?

I've looked into Wireguard, super fast (85 MB/s) but the setup is tedious. ZeroTier is reasonably fast (45 MB/s) and supports Bonjour, plus it's easy to install – reliability is not 100%, sometimes it just doesn't work. The Synology VPN client is too slow.

There are a few more: Tunnelblick, OpenVPN Enabler, Ubiquiti's EdgeRouter X (reported speeds seem low tho) – what are you using? Thanks for sharing.

I would get a specific device and if its for commercial use one with security updates and 2-factor authenitification.

 

[ladytonya]

According to our IT guy, the OpenVPN client dropped support of self signed cert. He had me temporarily set up using the a VPN connection in System Settings. It worked. Sometimes. But was extremely unstable. He is definitely NOT a Mac guy so every time he changes something in the office, he seems to create new issues with my connection. I gave him. I suggested OpenVPN Enabler for Ventura, which I had read about online. He didn't know that Ventura was the name of the current MacOS. He ended up using Tunnelblick and it works flawlessly! I seriously with he would just give me the VPN setting and let me do my own thing, especially since he is so incredibly clueless when it comes to Macs! That or my office needs to get me a laptop to use exclusively for work. Anyway, problem is solved. At least until the next time he decides to play around with the network.