VPN help and understanding

[MBHS]

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete newbie to servers, but have a good working knowledge of windows and linux (kubuntu).

I've recently installed Amahi 9 on Fedora server 23 and I'm really impressed with it. So far I have got the connectivity and DNS working and can access files on the drive shares on all LAN clients (windows/linux/android). I'm using the router DHCP as I don't think it can be turned off.

I now want to try and get access to my files remotely.
I have set port 1194 UDP to be forwarded to the IP of the HDA but have got myself in a tangle with the VPN process and info. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information, particularly between the different versions of the software and the OS.
Could anyone please help me get my head around any of the following:

[*]What does the VPN check in the console actually do/tell me? Currently it fails.
[*]Do I need to install any software/app on the server itself?
[*]I thought Amahi advertised free VPN, but the 2 apps I can see are paid for?
[*]Are the 2 VPN apps mentioned above for the client to access the server or required ON the server?
[*]Some forums/help guides use port forwarding but not the 1194 port. Is this for older versions?
[*]Can I remote access my files with a different protocol? FTP for example?

Sorry for the list of (hopefully) easy to answer questions,
Kind regards,
M

[bigfoot65]

[*]What does the VPN check in the console actually do/tell me? Currently it fails.

Not sure I follow. Please elaborate.

[*]Do I need to install any software/app on the server itself?

The client software to access the HDA via VPN needs installed on the client (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, etc). What do you want to use as a client to access the HDA remotely?

[*]Are the 2 VPN apps mentioned above for the client to access the server or required ON the server?

What apps?

[*]Some forums/help guides use port forwarding but not the 1194 port. Is this for older versions?

Only need to forward port 1194, unless your ISP blocks it.

[*]Can I remote access my files with a different protocol? FTP for example?

No. In order to access with FTP, you would need to install an FTP server on the HDA.

Hope this helps.

[MBHS]

Hi,
Thanks for the really quick and informative reply!
I have elaborated below:

[*]What does the VPN check in the console actually do/tell me? Currently it fails.
Not sure I follow. Please elaborate.

When I log into the HDA console (from a LAN client) there is an Open VPN check link. There is a red/green light next to the option. When I click it, it has a think and then comes back saying it isn't working. I'm not sure what this is testing. Is it just assessing whether the port is forwarding correctly, or is it looking to see if the correct software is installed on the server etc?

[*]Do I need to install any software/app on the server itself?
The client software to access the HDA via VPN needs installed on the client (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, etc). What do you want to use as a client to access the HDA remotely?

O.k, so I need client software. Do I also need to install on the HDA too? I'm completely open to suggestions here - both for the best client and the recommended software. Ideally free, at least to test if I can get access. I have seen the wiki regarding NeoRouter. Will this work for Amahi 9? As I understand it, this is installed on both the client and the server. I have windows/linux/android devices that could be used.

[*]Are the 2 VPN apps mentioned above for the client to access the server or required ON the server?
What apps?

IPSec VPN and Open VPN

Regards,
M

[bigfoot65]

Do I also need to install on the HDA too?

I get it now, you did not install the openvpn App on the HDA. That is needed for VPN to work with any client.

The check VPN on the Amahi website typically only reports accurate results when the port is forwarded and the app is installed.

You can choose the ipsec-vpn App and use it instead if preferred. I feel OpenVPN is the better choice myself.

There are convenience fees for some Amahi apps due to the maintenance and work that goes into creating them. Since Amahi is mostly FREE, we feel this is a small price to pay. There is no commercial sponsorship or funding for Amahi, just the founder using his own financial resources to keep it all going.

I have seen the wiki regarding NeoRouter. Will this work for Amahi 9?

No idea as it's not supported. It was contributed by a user and not tested for Amahi 9. If you try it and have success, we can make a note that it's compatible.