Video tutorial at https://youtu.be/WoRyW4tyxo0
Since the beginning of the pandemic, roboticists have been struggling to use their lab resources and do networking in a secure way. By using a VPN we can set up a network which mimics having all your devices on the same network in your lab. A VPN will encrypt all traffic allowing you to securely control simulation computers or robots remotely as long as you have an internet connection.
The first thing we need to set up is a VPN server. This is a computer that will manage who can connect and will route all VPN traffic. In this tutorial I will use digital ocean to set up the vpn server. For $5 a month we can create a linux node that we can use as our VPN server.
If you are a currently a student you can redeem $50 worth of free credits by using the github student developer pack. This is enough to host a VPN server for 10 months! Github Student Developer Pack
If you are not a student, you can use my affiliate link which will grant you $100 of credits for 60 days. This isn't as good as the student discount, but at least we can host a VPN for 2 months free. Digital Ocean $100 for 60 days credit
In the top left corner click new project. Fill out relevant information. Then click Get Started with a Droplet.
A basic ubuntu 20.04 node will be perfect for this application.
- select the data center closest to your location
- add your ssh key by following the instructions under
New SSH Key
We should be ready to create our droplet!
We will be using the easy install script.
follow the bellow tutorial https://nextsouls.com/how-to-install-openvpn-using-script-installer/
On the VPN Server we can re-run the install script to generate client connect files.
sudo apt install openvpn
sudp openvpn --config ${client.ovpn}
connect via gui
You can also connect to your vpn via the ubuntu settings. Go to Network and click the plus next to VPN.
Then click import from file
add your .ovpn file and click add.
Download client: https://openvpn.net/download-open-vpn/
import openvpn profile
