OpenVPN
 | |
| Original author(s) | James Yonan |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | OpenVPN Technologies, Inc. |
| Initial release | April 10, 2002[1] |
| Stable release |
2.6.10 (March 20, 2024) [±] |
| Preview release | 2.5.0 Beta 1 (August 12, 2020) [±] |
| Written in | C |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Type | Network management software |
| License(s) | GNU General Public License |
| Website | OpenVPN.net |
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It uses a custom security protocol[2] that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. It is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls. It was written by James Yonan and is published under the GNU General Public License (GPL).[3]
OpenVPN allows peers to authenticate each other using a pre-shared secret key, certificates, or username/password. When used in a multiclient-server configuration, it allows the server to release an authentication certificate for every client, using signature and certificate authority. It uses the OpenSSL encryption library extensively, as well as the SSLv3/TLSv1 protocol, and contains many security and control features.
Product history
While traveling around Central Asia and other parts of the world around 2000, author James Yonan became concerned about the security of telecommuting for the company he was working for. After noticing a philosophical division in the development of existing open-source VPN options, Yonan was inspired to create OpenVPN.[3] On March 14, 2002, Yonan created a SourceForge project[4] and released version 1.1.0 almost a month later.[1]
On April 17, 2005, version 2.0 was released.[5]
In July 2009, OpenVPN received an "A" ranking — the highest possible ranking — from security review service Veracode for its 2.0.9 release.[6]
Features
See this datasheet (PDF) for an explanation of OpenVPN's features and advantages.
Hardware/software requirements
Please refer to this page for step-by-step instructions on configuring an OpenVPN 2.0 client/server VPN and any necessary dependencies for the software's installation.
Videos, screenshots, and other media
OpenVPN Technologies offers a series of instructional videos, which can be found on the site.
Entities using OpenVPN
Further reading
- "OpenVPN How-To Guides". OpenVPN Technologies, Inc.. http://openvpn.net/index.php/access-server/docs/admin-guides.html.
- "Book suggestions on the topic of OpenVPN". OpenVPN Technologies, Inc.. http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/books.html.
External links
- OpenVPN project page on SourceForge
- OpenVPN Wiki
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yonan, James (10 April 2002). "Openvpn-announce - OpenVPN 1.1.0 released". SourceForge.net. http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=03cf01c1e052%24b9a960f0%241000000a%40mocha&forum_name=openvpn-announce. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "OpenVPN - Security Overview". OpenVPN Technologies, Inc. http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/security-overview.html. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dunston, Duane (10 November 2003). "OpenVPN: An Introduction and Interview with Founder, James Yonan". LinuxSecurity.com. http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/117363/49/. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "OpenVPN". SourceForge.net. http://sourceforge.net/projects/openvpn/. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "OpenVPN - 2.0.x Change Log". OpenVPN Technologies, Inc. http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/change-log/70-20-change-log.html. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "OpenVPN Receives Veracode's Highest Possible "A" Security Rating". IT Business Net. 22 July 2009. http://internet.itbusinessnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=804205. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
