Several VPN protocols are available nowadays for site-to-site connections. One of the most common among them is definitely the OpenVPN Protocol. OpenVPN is one of the most popular virtual private network (VPN) protocols for creating VPN tunnels to establish secure network connections. Some questions may arise to the users, What exactly is OpenVPN? How does it work? Should you use it? Let’s find out.

What is VPN Protocol?

Your online activities can be kept private by using a virtual private network (VPN) protocol. This offers a secure tunnel for data transmission. Every VPN employs a protocol, which is made up of a collection of rules that specify how data is sent over tunnels. While some protocols concentrate on delivering quicker bandwidth for online gaming and streaming, others prioritize security and encryption.

What is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that creates an encrypted connection between devices. This is the designed way to secure internet traffic. With robust encryption, multi-network configuration capabilities, and authentication, it provides a high level of security. It was designed to be flexible, enabling a range of VPN configurations, such as remote client access and site-to-site connections.

History of OpenVPN

James Yonan developed OpenVPN in 2001 as an open-source VPN protocol. The goal was to provide a safe and adaptable substitute for established protocols like PPTP and L2TP. It was first made available in 2002 under the GNU GPL and immediately became well-known because of its robust encryption, cross-platform interoperability, and firewall-busting capabilities. In 2003, Yonan established OpenVPN Technologies Inc. to provide paid services in addition to open-source software. OpenVPN has developed into a top VPN service over time by implementing cutting-edge features including TLS-based security, two-factor authentication, and AES-256 encryption. The demand for cloud-based VPN services was met in 2019 with the debut of OpenVPN Cloud, and in 2019 OpenVPN 3 was released, further improving its support for mobile platforms and modularity.

Features and Details 

Security, performance, and transmission modalities are OpenVPN’s key qualities. OpenVPN is known for its better security protocols, but its server-side complexity can sometimes cause speed issues. This small drawback, nevertheless, does not take away from its usefulness.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) offers faster but less dependable transmission. While Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) offers slower but more dependable data delivery. OpenVPN offers both types of data transmission.

In addition to these, OpenVPN provides more features like:

Support for Internet Protocol (IP) subnetworks 

Virtual ethernet adapters 

Adaptive link compression 

Traffic shaping 

The ability to traverse firewalls securely

Users can opt for static-key-based encryption, which provides conventional security. Alternatively, they can choose certificate-based public key encryption for enhanced protection, adding an extra layer of security.

How Does It Work 

Data exchange between the VPN client and server is made secure through the use of OpenVPN. Data encapsulation and encryption, VPN tunnel formation, data traffic transfer, and client and server authentication are all included in this procedure. 

In addition to securing TCP and UDP communication, OpenVPN offers a variety of authentication techniques and encryption algorithms. It’s a safe and favored option for many VPN configurations because of all the adjustability.

UDP vs TCP

Two protocols that are part of the Transport Layer Protocols are Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Whereas UDP is a member of the Internet Protocol suite, sometimes known as the UDP/IP suite, TCP is a connection-oriented protocol. It is an unstable, connectionless protocol in contrast to TCP. 

When it comes to online gaming, UDP is preferable because it eliminates lag. When sending media such as images, films, etc., TCP is preferable since it guarantees that the data being sent is accurate. Generally speaking, TCP and UDP are both helpful when it comes to the task that we have given you. It’s hard to determine which is superior because both have benefits over the works we are doing.

OpenVPN Ports

Depending on the VPN connection’s underlying protocol, OpenVPN uses two types of ports. UDP port 1194 is used by OpenVPN by default. It frequently uses TCP port 443 when it runs on the TCP protocol. Since HTTPS traffic also uses this port, it can mix in with ordinary SSL traffic, making it more difficult for firewalls to restrict traffic.

OpenVPN Platform Support

OpenVPN’s broad platform support makes it a versatile choice for diverse enterprise network environments.

OpenVPN is compatible with the following operating systems:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• FreeBSD
• OpenBSD
• NetBSD
• Solaris
• QNX
• Maemo
• Synology NAS devices
• ChromeOS
• Routers with firmware such as DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Tomato
• Network appliances using OPNSense and pfSense

The protocol’s web-based configuration features provide further flexibility, allowing administrators to manage VPN settings via a web browser, facilitating deployment and maintenance. 

It is worth noting that, while the OpenVPN protocol is compatible with these platforms, it frequently requires the installation of additional software to function. This could involve third-party clients or the configuration of network settings within the device’s OS.

OpenVPN Connection For Your OS 

Please follow the steps below to set up the OpenVPN connection.

Windows PC

1: Open your browser and navigate to https://openvpn.net/community-downloads/

2: Click Downloads, then click the link corresponding to your Windows version.

3: Download and run the installer.

4: Please enter the OpenVPN software

5: Click on FILE, then click on BROWSER and import the server ovpn file.

6: Please check the server setting, then click on CONNECT.

7: If it shows connected, the OpenVPN connection is established successfully.

MacBook

1: Open your web browser and navigate to https://openvpn.net/client-connect-vpn-for-mac-os/

2: Click on the Downloads option to download the OpenVPN connect for macOS.

3: Once your download is complete, select the installer for your operating system and install the OpenVPN software.

4: Please enter the OpenVPN software, click on FILE, click on BROWSER, and import the server ovpn file.

5: Please check the server setting, then click on CONNECT

6: If it shows connected, the OpenVPN connection is established successfully.

Benefits 

• Good firewall compatibility.
• Supports perfect forward secrecy.
• Cost advantages.
• Supports various cryptographic algorithms.
• Easily bypasses firewalls.
• Well supported and versatile.
• Runs on almost all platforms.
• Reliability.

Drawbacks

• Blocked by some proxy servers.
• Lengthy and complex setup.
• Needs third party software for setup.
• Server limitations.
• May be blocked by firewalls.
• Requires installation.

What can OpenVPN be used for?

The OpenVPN protocol is versatile and has many different applications. The most common OpenVPN uses include:

As a protocol:

When used as a protocol, OpenVPN is extremely effective at safeguarding your entire device. It has good speed, strong security, and can be utilized with industry-leading encryption. It is also one of the most widely utilized protocols in router configurations.

As software:

OpenVPN software is an excellent approach to get around network constraints when VPN services are restricted. Whether it’s your business network that prohibits VPN service downloads or country-wide barriers like China’s Great Firewall, which prevents access to VPN pages entirely.

Enabling and securing remote access:

Establishing a VPN tunnel and encrypting data in transit make OpenVPN ideal for enabling and safeguarding remote access to internal networks. Companies, universities, and other institutions can use OpenVPN to enable and control remote network access.

Establishing site-to-site VPN connections:

Similar to remote access, organizations can use OpenVPN to securely link entire networks or several remote offices via the internet. It connects business offices and data centers, allowing them to securely share resources, platforms, and data.

How Secure Is OpenVPN 

The short answer is yes, with a condition. The security of your OpenVPN setup is mostly determined by how the VPN server’s administrator configured it. It is possible to configure OpenVPN in a less secure manner. Static keys are less secure than public key infrastructure (PKI), although both are viable options.

It uses SSL/TLS to protect data and has access to the OpenSSL library for additional security features. The OpenVPN protocol includes complete forward secrecy, which ensures that even in the event of a data breach, not all data will be compromised. Furthermore, OpenVPN supports both TCP and UDP protocols, allowing you to switch between TCP and UDP as needed.

Best OpenVPN For You

OpenVPN compatible VPNs offer several advantages that make them a popular choice among privacy-conscious users. These include enhanced security, flexibility, reliability, bypassing geo-restrictions, and many more. So, you should choose the best option available. This is where Enova VPN walks in. It has more than 250 servers and you can change the settings according to your preferences. There is also a global streaming option with ad-free feature. The good thing about Enova VPN is that you can use it on multiple devices at the same time. So, this is a good option if you want to share with friends and family. You can get in-depth details about these features by visiting Enova VPN.

Final Thoughts

OpenVPN is a solid, reliable, and adaptive VPN solution designed for both people and companies. Its open-source nature and cross-platform interoperability make it one of the most popular options for protecting internet connections. Whether you’re concerned about your online privacy or need secure access to faraway networks, OpenVPN offers a powerful, adaptable solution.