Mflavell: Created page with "Computer Notes > PI VPN == PiVPN on Ubuntu (VMware Setup) == This guide covers the installation of PiVPN on an Ubuntu Server VM running within VMware. This setup uses WireGuard for high-performance, secure tunneling without the complexity of a full firewall appliance. === 1. VM Prerequisites (VMware) === Before starting the installation, ensure the virtual machine is configured for network accessibility: * '''Network Adapter:''' Set to '''Bridged''' mode. This all..."

2026-05-06T16:45:39Z

Created page with "Computer Notes > PI VPN == PiVPN on Ubuntu (VMware Setup) == This guide covers the installation of PiVPN on an Ubuntu Server VM running within VMware. This setup uses WireGuard for high-performance, secure tunneling without the complexity of a full firewall appliance. === 1. VM Prerequisites (VMware) === Before starting the installation, ensure the virtual machine is configured for network accessibility: * '''Network Adapter:''' Set to '''Bridged''' mode. This all..."

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[[Computer Notes]] > PI VPN

== PiVPN on Ubuntu (VMware Setup) ==

This guide covers the installation of PiVPN on an Ubuntu Server VM running within VMware. This setup uses WireGuard for high-performance, secure tunneling without the complexity of a full firewall appliance.

=== 1. VM Prerequisites (VMware) ===
Before starting the installation, ensure the virtual machine is configured for network accessibility:
* '''Network Adapter:''' Set to '''Bridged''' mode. This allows the VM to receive its own IP address on your local network.
* '''Static IP:''' Ensure the VM has a consistent internal IP. You can set this via {{ic|/etc/netplan/}} or a DHCP reservation on your router.
* '''Resources:''' 1 vCPU and 1GB RAM is more than sufficient for a dedicated VPN VM.

=== 2. Installation Steps ===
Login to your VM via SSH or the VMware console and run the following commands:

; Update the system:
<pre>
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
</pre>

; Run the PiVPN automated installer:
<pre>
curl -L https://install.pivpn.io | bash
</pre>

=== 3. Recommended Installer Settings ===
During the text-based wizard, use these recommended settings to avoid common pitfalls:
* '''User:''' Select your local system user to hold the configuration files.
* '''Protocol:''' Choose '''WireGuard''' (highly recommended over OpenVPN for speed).
* '''Port:''' Default is '''51820''' (UDP).
* '''DNS:''' Select a provider (e.g., Google or Cloudflare) or point to a local Pi-hole if applicable.
* '''Unattended Upgrades:''' Enabled (highly recommended for security).

=== 4. Client Management ===
PiVPN uses a simple command-line interface to manage connected devices.

; To create a new client profile:
<pre>
pivpn add
</pre>

; To generate a QR code for mobile devices:
<pre>
pivpn -qr
</pre>

; To list all active clients:
<pre>
pivpn -l
</pre>

=== 5. Networking & Firewall ===
For the VPN to function, you must allow traffic through the Ubuntu firewall and your physical router.

; Configure UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):
<pre>
sudo ufw allow 51820/udp
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw enable
</pre>

; Router Configuration:
Forward '''UDP Port 51820''' from your router's WAN/Public IP to the '''Internal IP''' of your VMware VM.

=== 6. Troubleshooting Commands ===
If you encounter issues, use the built-in self-check tool:
* {{ic|pivpn -d}} — Runs a full diagnostic of the network and service status.
* {{ic|pivpn -c}} — Shows currently connected clients and data transfer stats.

[[Category:Networking]]
[[Category:Self-Hosted]]

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