How to Configure and Use NordVPN on Synology 5.1

If your Synology NAS device runs on DiskStation Manager 5.1 version, you can easily configure the OpenVPN client of NordVPN on it. Here we've provided a step-by-step guide on how to configure and use NordVPN on Synology 5.1. Have a look. 

1. First, visit the NordVPN website.

2. Next, click the Grab the Deal button and pick a subscription on the upcoming screen.

3. You need to enter your payment details to complete the purchase.

4. Now, you'll receive a confirmation of your subscription. 

5. You've to log into your Synology NAS.

6. Choose the Control Panel option next.

7. Move on to the Network option now.

8. On the upcoming screen, create a new VPN profile.

9. Select the OpenVPN option on the pop-up window and click Next. 

10. Now, click here to download the suitable CA certificates for further steps.

11. After that, enter the below details as mentioned- 

• Profile Name – Any name you want
• Server Address – Enter the NordVPN server hostname or IP address for the VPN server in your preferred location

• User name – NordVPN service username
• Password – NordVPN service password

• Port – 1194 (recommended)
• Protocol – UDP (recommended)
• Certificate – Upload the CA certificate for the server you've picked

12. Click Next once done.

13. Now, the Advanced Settings screen will pop up; check all the boxes next to available options and hit Apply.

14. You'll return to the list of Network profiles next.

15. At this point, if you want to connect your recently created VPN profile, you'll receive an error message.

16. To avoid that, you have to manually edit your OpenVPN profile. 

17. For that, you need to SSH as root and enable SSH from the Terminal & SNMP option.

18. Now, open a terminal window on the device you're using and enter the below command- 

ssh root@(ip of your synology)

19. After that, change directories by typing in the below command and pressing the Enter button at the end of it. 

cd /usr/syno/etc/synovpnclient/openvpn
ls -al

20. You'll get three files now, i.e., ca.cert, client_, and ovpnclient.conf.

21. You need to add another file in this section that will contain the tls-auth key.

22. For that, type in the below command and replace the connection_id with your one- 

vi tls_auth_connection_id.key

23. Now, you've to return to the directory where the extracted CA certificates are stored; you'll get the tls-auth.key files there. 

24. Select the one key file corresponding to the VPN server you're going to use; open it in a text editor and copy the content.

25. Now, open a terminal window and press A; then paste the content you've copied earlier within the terminal window.

26. Next, press the Escape button and type in :wq.

27. If you're using the ls -al command instead, you'll get a different output like the image below.

28. After that, finish the client_(connection_id) file. 

29. For that, you've to open the file first with vi and then paste the below content; don't forget to replace the tls-auth.key with the name of the key file you've created before. 

cipher AES-256-CBC
remote-cert-tls server
auth SHA512
tls-auth tls_auth_o1430912123.key 1
tun-mtu 1500
tun-mtu-extra 32
mssfix 1450
persist-key
persist-tun
ping 15
ping-restart 0
ping-timer-rem
log-append /volume1/tmp/NordVPN.log

30. Now, save the file by pressing the Escape button and typing :wq.

31. Next, you've to return to your web browser window and click Connect.

32. You'll see your status soon to be turning into Connecting.

33. Now, NordVPN will be connected to your Synology NAS.

34. To disconnect, simply click the Disconnect button on the Synology Network list.

That's all! Now you know how to set up and use NordVPN on Synology 5.1 NAS devices. If you've further queries, drop us a comment through the below button. Thanks for reading!