AirVPN as a Windows Service on WHS

[Mikester 8]

Hi,

I'm thinking about signing up, but first I'd like to verify something:

I would like to install AirVPN as a Windows Service on a NAS running Windows Home Server v1 (that OS is based on Windows Server 2003). My understanding is that this is possible by installing OpenVPN as a service, and then copying an AirVPN configuration file.

Needless to say, I'm also connecting from my other machines to that NAS - I use it to store files and my music library. In fact that NAS does not have a keyboard nor a monitor (apparently it's possible to add those, but that requires some hardware surgery and is anything but straightforward).

So basically my question is: If I install AirVPN as a service on that machine, will the fact that it now runs a VPN render it invisible to other machines on my home network? I'm guessing no, since the VPN should only affect Internet connections, but I'd rather make sure.

Thanks!

[athelstan 11]

Hi Mikester

Yes, you can install OpenVPN as a service on WHS1 without it affecting connectivity with your other machines, as long as you're not using local addresses in the 10.x.y.z range on your LAN which conflict with AirVPN. Note that when running OpenVPN as a service, OpenVPN GUI shows the service status, not the connection status, and that you should have only one .ovpn configuration file in the \config folder - you can store others in a subfolder.

OpenVPN will only tunnel internet traffic originating from WHS over the VPN, and, optionally, expose services running on WHS to incoming connections over the VPN. If you're planning to use WHS as a VPN gateway for your other machines, additional steps are involved.

As you have no keyboard/monitor you'll need to use a remote desktop connection to the WHS Administrator account to access the WHS desktop. With some work, it's possible to set up remote control, monitoring and logging of the VPN connection from one or more of your other Windows machines.

[Mikester 8]

Thanks! Local addresses are in the usual 192.168.0.x range, so that shouldn't be a problem. For now I only want the WHS traffic going through the VPN (I have uTorrent running as a service), though who knows if at some point I won't decide to get some more machine going through it as well (though by then I may have a DD-WRT router...)

[athelstan 11]

Hi Mikester

OpenVPN service + uTorrent service over AirVPN on WHS1 works fine. There are guides on p2p and port forwarding here https://airvpn.org/faq/ . If you're relying on the WHS Windows Firewall, be sure to disable UPnP in uTorrent, and block the BitTorrent port outbound on your router, to prevent traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops.

[athelstan 11]

Sorry, ignore that nonsensical reference to your router. You may have to take other steps to prevent leakage on VPN failure.

[Mikester 8]

Thanks. I did notice some chatting about port forwarding etc. while browsing. Gotta get a handle on that before I set this all up. It will probably be a weekend thing.