SSH into Ubuntu, then run on VPN?

[RANDOMstring6677 0]

Hi, I'm trying to understand how to SSH into a server (like a DO droplet with Ubuntu 20.04, headless), and then activate the VPN. Would I get immediately disconnected? Can I a) make an exception so that only SSH avoids the VPN (like split tunnel?) b) Could I use port forwarding to open port back to my port 22, and assuming I can find the correct IP, I can then do like $: SSH user@airvpnIP -p 65536 ... knowing this goes back to port 22??

tl;dr I don't want my server's IP exposed, but want to SSH into it and run a VPN 

PS how do I install and run in Ubuntu using Bash only, can't find an easy guide for this?

[OpenSourcerer 1435]

First, forward a port with a DDNS name set, remote port random, local port 22.
Then run the VPN via systemd service. See the Suite download page and the documentation.
Connect using ddnsname.airdns.org:remoteport.

[NaDre 157]

22 hours ago, RANDOMstring6677 said:

Hi, I'm trying to understand how to SSH into a server (like a DO droplet with Ubuntu 20.04, headless), and then activate the VPN. Would I get immediately disconnected? Can I a) make an exception so that only SSH avoids the VPN (like split tunnel?) b) Could I use port forwarding to open port back to my port 22, and assuming I can find the correct IP, I can then do like $: SSH user@airvpnIP -p 65536 ... knowing this goes back to port 22??

tl;dr I don't want my server's IP exposed, but want to SSH into it and run a VPN 

PS how do I install and run in Ubuntu using Bash only, can't find an easy guide for this?

You would lose your SSH connection when OpenVPN or Wireguard change the default gateway in the routing table. But you can avoid this by doing some configuration first.

See this:

https://github.com/tool-maker/VPN_just_for_torrents/wiki/Maintaining-SSH-Access-Using-a-VPN-on-a-Remote-Linux-Server

EDIT: By the way, if you are not very experienced with Linux on VPS providers, I suggest you remove "UFW" ("Uncomplicated Firewall") if it is installed. The default Ubuntu installation at Digital Ocean might include this. The last VPS I set up at VULTR did. And it took me a while to realize this was blocking just about everything for no good reason. If you want a more restrictive firewall, add it back in once you have your stuff working.

EDIT2 : To install or remove software without a GUI using bash/SSH use the "apt-get" and/or the "apt" command.