Windows – How to connect to OpenVPN from Windows native interface

The same cert can be used, as long as only one connection is initiated. For Debian and most Linux distros, all files must be placed in /etc/openvpn. Place the ".key", ".crt". "ca.crt" and if your configuration specifies "ta.key", make sure you palce it there as well.

In WIN, the configuration file for your connection has the extension ".ovpn", while for debian should be renamed to ".conf"

mv ConnectionName.ovpn ConnectionName.conf

Place this file in /etc/openvpn

You will have the following files in /etc/openvpn:

ClientName.key
ClientName.crt
ca.crt
ta.key
ConnectionName.conf

If you want to have the VPN connection start at boot, uncomment AUTOSTART="all" in /etc/default/openvon

In VMware Virtual Network setting, make sure your network card is in promiscuous mode

When you set up your VPN connection through the GUI the password is saved in the key-ring. If you save your password in the connection file, like this:

sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/MyConnectionExampleName

in this file:

    # 1 here means key-ring I  think, but with 0, the password below is  used
    password-flags=0 

    [vpn-secrets]
    password=my_secret_password