This guide contains the information about the Linux system Debian 9, Debian 8 and other Linux versions. We can provide limited support for these.

Debian 9 (Stretch)

The versions of the OpenVPN program and the corresponding integrations for the Network Manager contained in the regular package sources are too old. However, newer versions are included in the so-called backports.

• If you do not use backports yet, add the following line
  deb http://deb.debian.org/debian stretch-backports main
  to the file /etc/apt/sources.list.
• Install OpenVPN software and Network Manager plugin from backports:
  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install openvpn/stretch-backports network-manager-openvpn/stretch-backports
• Installing the graphical components:
  • GNOME: Install the graphical editor plugin component from the backports:
    sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn-gnome/stretch-backports
  • KDE: Unfortunately, there is no sufficiently up-to-date version of plasma-nm in the backports either. However, starting and stopping the VPN connection should still be possible. However, you have to import the OpenVPN profile on the command line as described below using nmcli. Alternatively, you can also use the GNOME Network Manager interface under KDE.

Debian 8 (Jessie)/Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial Xerus) or older

The versions of the OpenVPN program and the related integrations for the Network Manager included in the official package sources are too old. However, at least current versions of the OpenVPN program can be obtained as a package from the OpenVPN project, but unfortunately you have to do without the Network Manager integration.

• Add the release key of the OpenVPN project to your package management:
  wget -O - https://build.openvpn.net/debian/openvpn/stable/pubkey.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
• Add the repository of the OpenVPN project to your package manager:
  echo "deb http://build.openvpn.net/debian/openvpn/stable $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/openvpn.net.list
• Install the OpenVPN program
  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install openvpn

Other Linux variants

Of course, the OpenVPN service also works with other Linux variants, provided that sufficiently up-to-date software is available there. You need

• Version 2.4 or newer of the OpenVPN program.
• Version 1.8.10 or newer of the Network Manager OpenVPN plugin for Network Manager support (optional).
• For the graphical user interface (optional):
  • GNOME: Version 1.8.10 or newer of the Network Manager OpenVPN GNOME plugin.
  • KDE: Version 5.11.95 or newer of KDE Plasma.