As the technological world advances, the need for secure communication grows more crucial by the day. VPNs, or “Virtual Private Networks,” have become pivotal in maintaining online security.
However, there are many ways in which network providers and institutions can block a VPN connection. You can circumvent these blocks by setting up your very own VPN over HTTPS with SoftEther.
Here’s how SoftEther works, how it differs from popular VPN services, and how to install your own SoftEther VPN on an Ubuntu Linux Server.
What Is SoftEther and VPN Over HTTPS
Most VPN service providers use astandardized set of ports and protocols. These connections are easily blocked at the firewall level or by forcing traffic through a web proxy server.
If your local network firewall is preventing VPN connections, how can you overcome it? The answer lies in routing the VPN tunnel over HTTPS. ASoftEther VPNuses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) as the transport protocol. SoftEther creates a secure VPN that can pass through almost every firewall or proxy server.
This is made possible because HTTPS traffic, which is essentially web traffic, is not typically blocked by firewalls. This ensures a reliable and uninterrupted connection.
SoftEther, which stands for “Software Ethernet,” is an open-source, cross-platform, and multi-protocol VPN solution. This little-known platform was developed by the University of Tsukuba and is characterized by flexibility and robustness.
you’re able to install SoftEther clients using VPN over HTTPS on Windows and Linux.
How to Install and Configure SoftEther on Ubuntu Linux
SoftEther is known to run best on CentOS Linux, but it can be adapted to run just fine on Ubuntu. The online support environment for Ubuntu is huge, which is why it’s a great choice to host your SoftEther VPN.
While this guide is quite straightforward, some knowledge of Linux systems is required to get it up and running. A few prerequisites should also be in place before you start.
SoftEther VPN Prerequisites
Installing SoftEther on Ubuntu Server
Fire up your Ubuntu server and login as root.
The first step is to update your software and repositories.
Now we need to install the required dependencies for the SoftEther software.
Then download the SoftEther server. You’ll need to browse for the latest version of the software using the Lynx terminal based browser.
To do that, first install lynx.
Now open the SoftEther download page inside the browser.
Use the arrow keys to browse for the latest version. Highlight the latest version and hit enter.
Highlight “Linux” and hit enter.
Now highlight “SoftEther_VPN_Server” and hit enter.
Finally, select the version your architecture supports (most likely this will be 64bit_-_Intel_x64) and hit enter one last time.
Now highlight the .tar.gz file and press “d”. The file will now download.
Finally, Select “Save to disk” and then press “q” to quit the Lynx browser.
Next step is to extract the archive. Note that your file name might be different if you have downloaded a newer version.
Navigate to the newly created vpnserver directory
Next, issue the make command to compile the software.
You should see the following output at the end of the process:
The next step is to move the newly compiled software and directory to /usr/local.
Now, set the right permissions on the vpnserver directory.
Next, we must create some files to ensure the SoftEther server runs when the Ubuntu server is rebooted. The inbuilt nano text file editor can be used to create and edit the files.
Now copy and paste the following into the file, and save it (ctrl-o, ctrl-x):
Create a new directory and set permissions on the newly created service.
Next, create a new file called “vpnserver.service” in the “/lib/systemd/system” directory
Copy and paste the following into the file, save and close it.
Enable the SoftEther service to start on reboot.
Now start the SoftEther VPN service.
You should see the following output:
Next, enable the server script to start on reboot.
Configuring the SoftEther Server
SoftEther has a handy built-in configuration script to make set up a breeze. To start the script we change the working directory and execute the script.
You will see the following choices:
Select 1, and press enter twice, and you should see the following output:
Before we continue we need to set an admin password
This is where the admin password for EtherSoft is set, enter your (new) password and confirm.
The Next step is creating a hub, and setting a password (different to the admin password). You can call the hub whatever you like, in this example we have used “VPN”.
Now we configure the hub “VPN” that was just created.
Your prompt should show:
Now, we create the virtual LAN, which assigns IP addresses to remote clients.
The output should now show:
Next we create the first user for the VPN.
Next, set a password for the VPN user.
In the next step, the SoftEther multi-protocol platform is configured.
You will now be asked several questions regarding which services to turn on. you’re able to use the answers below:
Please note, the IPSec key will be used for L2TP connections, so please make it as complex as possible.
Congratulations, configuration is completed. Type “exit” to quit.
Enabling and Configuring UFW Firewall for SoftEther
If your Ubuntu server was fresh before starting, you’ll need toenable and configure the built-in UFW firewall.
First Set the default policy.
Now issue the following commands to open the ports required for SoftEther
Enable and start the firewall.
Set UFW to start on reboot.
Finishing Touches and Resources
Congratulations, your SoftEther VPN is now ready for use. At this stage it’s a good idea to reboot the server and ensure all services are running before attempting a client connection.
To check the status of the SoftEther VPN server use the command:
To check the status of the UFW firewall use the command:
To connect your Windows PC to your HTTPS SoftEther VPN, the client can be downloaded from theSoftEther website. There you can also findSoftEther’s instructionson how to install and connect the software.
Additional information regarding connecting other operating systems can also be found in thetutorial section of the SoftEther website.
Conclusion
A SoftEther VPN installed on your own Ubuntu server offers numerous benefits, especially in terms of flexible and secure networking.
This little-known VPN software solution can be deployed and used worldwide, and it can circumvent even the toughest VPN blocking techniques. So please spread the word, and enjoy this adaptable and versatile VPN solution.
Q: Is SoftEther VPN safe?
SoftEther uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption to keep your online data indecipherable and safe. SoftEther is also open source, allowing anyone to audit its code and highlight bugs or security vulnerabilities. You can also use your desired VPN protocol with SoftEther, meaning you can choose the option that you feel is safest.
Q: Is SoftEther VPN Fast?
The speed of SoftEther VPN will often rely on the protocol you use with it and the quality of your home or office’s internet connection. Some users find SoftEther VPN slow, while others have no problem with connection speed. You’ll likely have to test SoftEther VPN out for yourself, possibly on different protocols, to see if you can attain a good speed.
