Using OpenVPN with DynDNS

OpenVPN is a powerful, open-source VPN (Virtual Private Network) client/server application. Using OpenVPN allows you to connect to your home or office network remotely to access files, shared printers and other devices on the network. You can use Dynamic DNS in conjunction with OpenVPN so that you are always able to securely access your remote systems.

Install OpenVPN

The first step to use OpenVPN for remote access is to download and install the application. OpenVPN provides a comprehensive guide to installing OpenVPN on their site, and also provides a Windows-specific installation and setup guide. For general network troubleshooting, see the troubleshooting section of this guide. You can test your network externally using our Open Port tool on port 1194.

Once you are successfully able to connect to your OpenVPN server externally (from outside the server network) using the IP address directly, you are ready to begin using the Dynamic DNS service to access your OpenVPN server.

Create a DynDNS Account and Dynamic DNS Host

If you have not already done so, create a free DynDNS account and log in, then create a free Dynamic DNS host for your network. You can learn more about the different settings for our Dynamic DNS hosts here. Remember, this Dynamic DNS host must be assigned to your OpenVPN server network; to help eliminate problems, you should create the host and account while you are in the OpenVPN network itself.

Install an Update Client

To keep your Dynamic DNS host up-to-date with your dynamic IP address, you need to install an update client. An update client is a software application or router function which monitors your IP for changes, and updates your host to the new IP whenever a change occurs. If you choose to use a software client, you should install it on the OpenVPN server machine itself. We offer update clients for the following operating systems:

Once you install the update client for your network and configure it, it should update your Dynamic DNS host to the OpenVPN server network. You can then test your setup by entering the new Dynamic DNS host into your OpenVPN client application, or by using our Open Port tool on port 1194, subtituting the Dynamic DNS host for your IP address. If you are locally testing your server, please be aware that loopback connections could change the results.

If OpenVPN is configured properly, and your host is assigned to the network correctly, you should be able to use the Dynamic DNS host to reach the server. Congratulations!

Troubleshooting

For a list of common networking problems and solutions, please see our Why Can't I Connect to My Server? article. The most common networking problem is incorrect port forwarding in your router; since OpenVPN uses port 1194 for its communications, so you should make sure your router's port forwarding is configured properly to redirect 1194 to your server. You can learn a plethora of information about port forwarding at PortForward.com.