Set Up Your Own VPN Server
Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer (client) and the VPN server. This encrypted tunnel carries data that cannot be converted without the proper keys, and you can control to what clients have access to those keys.
A popular VPN software, an ExpressVPN uses strong encryption methods to help ensure that no spying eyes can see what you are doing. Besides Internet anonymity, VPNs can connect a user to a local area network even if they are not anywhere near it. A VPN is probably used to access a file at a business from your home.
What is the need to configure a VPN server?
A home VPN allows you to use an encrypted tunnel while connected on public Wi-Fi. You can even access country-specific services outside the country. So you could use them when you’re traveling out of your home. It would also give you access to your home network. It can share any files and allows you to access other servers from anywhere.
You could also allow other people to connect to your home network. You can easily give them access to servers that you’re hosting on your home network. This would allow you to play PC games designed for a LAN over the Internet. Although there are much easier ways to set up a temporary network for PC gaming.
The higher-end home routers often come with built-in VPN servers. You can use these router’s web interface to activate and configure the VPN server. These routers have the VPN capabilities built-in along with them.
Now, here we are to explain how to configure ExpressVPN or OpenVPN on a server and client to form a strong encrypted VPN tunnel.
Install A Router:
Replace the router’s standard Operating System with a new one. Custom router firmware is one you can flash onto your router. Some of the Operating Systems that will work are DD-WRT and OpenWrt.
You can get more features by flashing the router that supports DD-WRT, OpenWrt, or another third-party router firmware. DD-WRT have built-in VPN server support which allows you host a VPN server even on routers that don’t come with VPN server software.
While selecting a router, make sure that it is supported by the Operating system which you have. Instead, you can check your current router if it’s supported by DD-WRT. Flash the third-party firmware and enable the VPN server.
Configure Your Own Server:
You can use VPN server software on your computer or client. But make sure that you probably have to use a computer or a device which is switched ON all the time. Mainly it shouldn’t be a desktop PC which you shut it down while leaving.
Considering OpenVPN to be configured, let’s know its configuration. Install an OpenVPN server and host the VPN server on there. VPN servers are available for every operating system, from Windows to Mac and iOS to Linux. You’ll just need to forward the appropriate ports from your router to the computer running the server software.
There’s also the option of rolling your own dedicated VPN device. You could take a Raspberry Pi and install OpenVPN server software. This will turn it into a lightweight and low-power VPN server. You could also install other server software on it. This will be helpful in using it as a multi-purpose server.
Hosting Your Own VPN Server:
There’s another option which you can do it on your own. This option is between hosting your own VPN server on your own hardware versus paying a VPN provider to provide you with VPN service and a convenient app.
You could host your own VPN server with a web hosting provider. Actually, this may be more affordable and costs low for a month than a dedicated VPN provider. You’ll pay the hosting provider for server hosting and install a VPN server on the server which you are provided with.
Depending on the hosting provider, the speed of the process is achieved. Here, you add the VPN server software and get a control panel to manage it. Or it may even need pulling up a command-line to install and configure everything.
Hope, you are clear with the process to host and configure a VPN server for your network. It will lead you even when you are out of your home.
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