SoftEther - Multi Protocol VPN Project

SoftEther VPN is an open-source multi-protocol VPN and it supports various protocols such as SSL VPN, L2TP/IPsec, Open VPN, and Microsoft Secure Socket Tunnelling etc. NAT traversal is the main useful feature of the SoftEther VPN. The NAT traversal is a technique of establishing and maintaining Internet protocol connections across gateways that implement network address translation (NAT).

This feature is very useful to run VPN servers on computers that are behind gateways, routers, and firewalls. The Firewalls performing deep packet inspection are unable to detect Soft Ether’s VPN transport packets as a VPN tunnel because HTTPS is used to camouflage the connection.

DIFFERENT OPERATION MODES

VPN Server

In this mode, Soft Ether VPN acts as a server and it listens and accepts the remote connections from the client or VPN Bridge with several VPN Protocols as mentioned above.

VPN Client

SoftEther VPN Client is a VPN client program which has the virtualized function of an Ethernet network adapter. A computer with installed Soft Ether VPN Client can establish a VPN connection to the VPN Server.

VPN Bridge

SoftEther VPN Bridge is a VPN program for building a site-to-site VPN. To build a site-to-site VPN network, we have to install Soft Ether VPN Server on the central site, and has to install Soft Ether VPN Bridge on one or more remote sites. A VPN Bridge connects to the central VPN Server by cascade connection.

The above are the basic notes for understanding the application and its features. The coming section will demonstrate how can we configure the VPN.

INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION OF SOFTETHER VPN

Download and Install SoftEther VPN Server

The SoftEther VPN works with almost all Operating Systems including FreeBSD. Here I am using Windows 10 to demonstrate the VPN. I had already downloaded the setup files from SoftEther website.

Click the link for download - http://www.softether-download.com/en.aspx?product=softether

Open SoftEther site and select the suitable version as the below image (I already mentioned above that I am using Windows 10 so this is the right selection for this demo)

After the download, we can start the installation

Select SoftEther VPN Server – We are going to set up our Windows 10 desktop pc as VPN Server for accept VPN Client request.

Accept the license agreement and continue the installation

Installation path – leave it as default

Click Finish and start the SoftEther VPN Server Manager

The VPN Server configuration begins from here.

Step 1 – Edit the localhost (This Server)

Step 2 – Enter the setting name as you want and also set administration mode password, Host Name, and Port

Set Host Name – localhost and Port - 5555 (SE-VPN Port)

Step 3 – Select ‘Remote Access VPN’ from the window

Step 4 – Set Administrator Password for localhost

Step 5 – Click and Yes

Step 6 – Copy the required details for future use

Step 7 – Type Virtual Hub Name

Step 8 – Enable the first option L2TP over IPsec

Step 9 – Disable VPN Azure

Step 10 – Select Local Bridge Adapter (Network Adapter) and Create Users

Step 11 – User Created

Step 12 – Understand the Secure NAT and enable if you require.

The SoftEther VPN Server configuration is almost done. In this demo is explained only the Remote Access VPN. The advanced configuration will post in the coming articles.
The next part is to configure the VPN Client, for doing this we have to download VPN Client from the site. I had already downloaded it.

The next part is to configure VPN Client so download VPN Client from SoftEther site. I had already downloaded the setup.

Download and Install SoftEther VPN Client

Step 1 – Launch the setup file

Step 2 – Select SoftEther VPN Client

Step 3 – Set the installation directory or leave it to default

Step 4 – Wait till finished the installation

Step 5 – Open VPN Client Manager after the installation

Step 6 – Create a New Virtual Adapter and type the name before Add New VPN Connection

Step 7 – Type the Setting Name, Remote Host, Port and User Name, Password in the right field and save the settings.

Step 8 – Click the VPN connection and connect to the server

Step 9 – VPN Connection Established

Topic Conclusion

The VPN has many features. A good VPN can provide anonymity to the User and interconnectivity of LAN in a different location so this helps the Users to stay safe from the internet and other cyber-attack but to some extent only. In this article, I explained the open-source VPN and the basic connectivity through WAN. Keep touch to know more about the VPN Services.