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How to Configure and Use NordVPN on EdgeRouter & Ubiquiti
Last updated May 17, 2024
You can configure NordVPN on an EdgeRouter running EdgeOS firmware version 2.0.9 or newer. This will result in complete digital security across all devices connected to the EdgeRouter and let you secure as many devices as the router can support.
To configure it, you can use a Windows or a Linux machine with slight differences in the steps for each operating system. If you're using an older firmware version, you'll have to install updates from the official Ubiquiti website before proceeding with the VPN setup.
In this article, we will teach you how to configure and use NordVPN on a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter.
How to Configure NordVPN on EdgeRouter
You can configure NordVPN on an EdgeRouter by manually adjusting your chosen server's '.ovpn' file and uploading it to the router's interface along with your service credentials. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Sign up for a NordVPN subscription from your computer using any Web browser.
2. Visit your NordVPN Account Dashboard from your preferred Web browser.
3. Choose 'NordVPN' followed by 'Set up NordVPN manually.'
4. Copy your username and password credentials from the 'Service credentials (manual setup)' box.
5. Create a new .txt file on your PC titled 'nordvpnauth.txt.'
6. Open it and paste your NordVPN service credentials in separate lines.
7. Open the NordVPN server tool to select a server in your desired location.
8. Click on the 'Show available protocols' option and choose 'Download config' next to OpenVPN UDP.
9. Modify the .ovpn server configuration file as mentioned below:
- Change 'auth-user-pass' into
auth-user-pass /config/openvpn/nordvpnauth.txt- Add an additional line
route-nopull10. Save the file next, and it should look like this:
client
dev tun
proto udp
remote 5.180.62.90 1194
resolv-retry infinite
remote-random
nobind
tun-mtu 1500
tun-mtu-extra 32
mssfix 1450
persist-key
persist-tun
ping 15
ping-restart 0
ping-timer-rem
reneg-sec 0
comp-lzo no
remote-cert-tls server
auth-user-pass /config/openvpn/nordvpnauth.txt
route-nopull
verb 3
pull
fast-io
cipher AES-256-CBC
auth SHA512
<ca>
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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==
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
</ca>
key-direction 1
<tls-auth>
#
# 2048 bit OpenVPN static key
#
-----BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1-----
e685bdaf659a25a200e2b9e39e51ff03
0fc72cf1ce07232bd8b2be5e6c670143
f51e937e670eee09d4f2ea5a6e4e6996
5db852c275351b86fc4ca892d78ae002
d6f70d029bd79c4d1c26cf14e9588033
cf639f8a74809f29f72b9d58f9b8f5fe
fc7938eade40e9fed6cb92184abb2cc1
0eb1a296df243b251df0643d53724cdb
5a92a1d6cb817804c4a9319b57d53be5
80815bcfcb2df55018cc83fc43bc7ff8
2d51f9b88364776ee9d12fc85cc7ea5b
9741c4f598c485316db066d52db4540e
212e1518a9bd4828219e24b20d88f598
a196c9de96012090e333519ae18d3509
9427e7b372d348d352dc4c85e18cd4b9
3f8a56ddb2e64eb67adfc9b337157ff4
-----END OpenVPN Static key V1-----
</tls-auth>11. Access your router via SSH (UNIX-like device users can enter the command below).
ssh ubnt@routersIPaddress12. Enter the username and password of your EdgeRouter.
13. Windows users need to download this app and perform the below commands:
sudo -i
cd /config/
mkdir openvpn
chmod 770 openvpn14. If you're using Linux, disconnect from SSH and copy the .ovpn file along with nordvpnauth.txt.
15. Paste these into the /config/openvpn directory via SCP, and it should look like this:
scp nordvpnauth.txt ubnt@routersIPaddress:/config/openvpn
scp de978.nordvpn.com.udp1194.ovpn ubnt@routersIPaddress:/config/openvpn16. If you're using Windows, upload these files via SFTP (the default port for SFTP is 22).
17. Next, run the following commands for your router:
configure
set interfaces openvpn vtun0 config-file /config/openvpn/de978.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn
set interfaces openvpn vtun0 description 'OpenVPN VPN tunnel'
commit
set service nat rule 5000 description 'OpenVPN Clients'
set service nat rule 5000 log disable
set service nat rule 5000 outbound-interface vtun0
set service nat rule 5000 source address 192.168.1.0/24
set service nat rule 5000 type masquerade
commit
set protocols static table 1 interface-route 0.0.0.0/0 next-hop-interface vtun0
set firewall modify SOURCE_ROUTE rule 10 description 'traffic from 192.168.1.0/24 to vtun0'
set firewall modify SOURCE_ROUTE rule 10 source address 192.168.1.0/24
set firewall modify SOURCE_ROUTE rule 10 modify table 1
set interfaces ethernet eth1 firewall in modify SOURCE_ROUTE
commit
save18. Check the connection log by entering the below command:
run show log19. Now, scroll down until you find the Initialization Sequence Completed.
20. If you want to disable the VPN, use the following commands:
configure
set interfaces openvpn vtun0 disable
commit
save21. To re-enable the VPN, use the below commands:
configure
delete interfaces openvpn vtun0 disable
commit
save22. To change the VPN server, you’ve to upload a new file to your router and use the commands below:
configure
set interfaces openvpn vtun0 config-file /config/openvpn/new_file.ovpn
commit
SaveFinal Thoughts
Configuring NordVPN on an EdgeRouter has several benefits. Most importantly, it lets you secure all devices connected to your Wi-Fi, including those that don't natively support VPN apps. For instance, you'll be able to use NordVPN on Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more. However, note that NordVPN only supports EdgeOS versions 2.0.9 and above.
Furthermore, in certain situations, such as when you're away from home, you'll still want to protect your devices using NordVPN's native app. For that, take a look at our guide on how to download and install NordVPN on various devices.
That’s all! Now you know how to configure and use NordVPN on EdgeRouter and Ubiquiti. Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below. Thanks for reading!