OpenVPN Connect Connection Guide for Linux

CloudConnexa OpenVPN  for CWRU Students, Faculty, and Staff only

CloudConnexa (formerly OpenVPN Cloud)  provides remote users with secure VPN connections to the campus network via a SSL encrypted tunnel. OpenVPN Connect client software requires users to authenticate using Duo Two-Factor Authentication in order to establish a VPN connection to the University network. If you have not already enrolled in Duo Security, visit https://webapps.case.edu/duo/webauth.py.

 

CloudConnexa OpenVPN Connection Guide for Ubuntu Linux

This guide walks you through downloading and installing the OpenVPN 3 Linux client on Ubuntu (debian-based) operating system.  Please follow the appropriate instruction below to download and install the OpenVPN Connect client. If you have any issues, please contact the helpdesk at 368-HELP for further assistance.

  • NOTE: There is no GUI client (OpenVPN Connect) for Linux. This is a command-line-only client.
  • OpenVPN 3 Linux is an open-source software.  OpenVPN community provide OpenVPN 3 Linux packages for Ubuntu, Debian, RHEL, and Fedora.  Please refer to the official documentation for further information (OpenVPN 3 Linux Project). 

 

 

Installing OpenVPN 3 Linux 

  1. Ensure you have the needed support packages already installed:
    1. Open the Terminal app, and type
    • #  sudo apt update && sudo apt install apt-transport-https curl -y
    1. Keep Terminal open
  2. Retrieve the OpenVPN Inc package signing key: 
    • #  mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings    ### This might not exist in all distributions
#  curl -sSfL https://packages.openvpn.net/packages-repo.gpg >/etc/apt/keyrings/openvpn.asc
  3. Add the OpenVPN Repository 
    • # DISTRO=$(lsb_release -c -s)
# echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/openvpn.asc] https://packages.openvpn.net/openvpn3/debian $DISTRO main" >>/etc/apt/sources.list.d/openvpn3.list
  4. To install OpenVPN 3 Linux, run these commands: 
    • # apt update
# apt install openvpn3-client

 

Download the OpenVPN profile for OpenVPN 3 Linux 

Note:  An OpenVPN profile (.ovpn) is uniquely created for each of your device and associated to your network ID.  Do not share this file with other users or other devices.

  1. Open the web browser and visit https://cwru.openvpn.com
  2. Log in using your CWRU network ID (e.g. abc123@case.edu)Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  3. This will open your web browser and redirect you to the Microsoft website to complete
    the single sign-on process with your Case ID(e.g. abc123@case.edu), Passphrase and
    DUO Two-factor authentication.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  4. Once you have logged in through the web portal, select "My Devices" on the leftUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  5. Click the "Add Device" button on the top right of the pageUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  6. Verify the device name and description.  Modify them if neededUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
    Note:  Avoiding using white-space and special characters (e.g @,$,&,%) for device name
  7. Click "Add Device" button
  8. Click the Download icon to down the .ovpn file for the device that you just createdUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  9. OpenVPN profile (.ovpn file) is now downloaded into your PC.  Move it to a safe folder to avoid accidental deletion.

 

Establishing a Cloudconnexa (OpenVPN Cloud) connection 

  1. Open the Terminal app, and type 
    • $ openvpn3 session-start --config /path/to/your/profile.ovpn
    • Replace "/path/to/your/profile.ovpn" with the correct path to the .ovpn file that you downloaded
  2. This will open your web browser and redirect you to the Microsoft website to complete
    the single sign-on process with your Case ID(e.g. abc123@case.edu), Passphrase and
    DUO Two-factor authentication.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

  3. Once a VPN session has started, it should be seen in openvpn3 sessions-list:

    $ openvpn3 sessions-list

 

Managing and disconnecting a Cloudconnexa (OpenVPN Cloud) connection 

  1. Once a VPN session has started, it should be seen in openvpn3 sessions-list:

  • $ openvpn3 sessions-list
  1. To restart your VPN session:
  • $ openvpn3 session-manage --config /path/to/your/profile --restart
  • Replace "/path/to/your/profile.ovpn" with the correct path to the .ovpn file that you downloaded
  1. To disconnect your VPN session: 
    • $ openvpn3 session-manage --config /path/to/your/profile --disconnect
    • Replace "/path/to/your/profile.ovpn" with the correct path to the .ovpn file that you downloaded

 

 

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Ensure your internet connection is active.
  • Verify you have correct network ID and password. 
  • Terminate openvpn3 by issuing “sudo pkill openvpn3" and try again
  • Remove and re-import OpenVPN profile
  • Visit the OpenVPN Community page for more information for additional community supports.

 
Need More Help?

Please contact UTech Help desk at help@case.edu or call 216-368-HELP for more assistance. You can also stop by the UTech Care Center located in the Lower Level of the Kelvin Smith Library at 11055 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106.

 

Source: "OpenVPN 3 Linux", OpenVPN Community Wiki, https://community.openvpn.net/Pages/OpenVPN3Linux. Accessed 5 March 2026.

 

 

Print Article