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OpenVPN - Create a new user

To follow this procedure you need administrative access to the OPNSense firewall.

Create user
  •  Navigate to:
    • System -> Access -> User
  • Click on the + (Add) button

This will open a form where you can configure the new user.

Configure User Details

Fill in the required fields:

  • Username
  • Password
  • (Optional) Description or additional details

These credentials will be used by the user to connect to the VPN.

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It's fundamental to add the user to the vpn_users group under Group membership.
Without this step, the user will not be able to access the VPN.

Create / Assign User Certificate

To allow OpenVPN authentication, a certificate must be associated with the user.

  • Navigate to:
    • Trust -> Certificates section
    • Click “+ Add”

Fill in the fields:

  • Description: name.surname
  • Issuer: select your CA (e.g. OpenVPN-auth)
  • Lifetime: 18262
  • Common name: name.surname

Save the certificate.

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Export OpenVPN Configuration

After creating the user you can now generate the client configuration file.

  • Go to:
    VPN → OpenVPN → Client Export

You will see the list of users where you can download the configuration, it will download a .ovpn file.

Install and Configure OpenVPN Client

On the user’s device:

  1. Install the OpenVPN client
    (Windows / macOS / Linux / Mobile)
  2. Import the .ovpn file
  3. Enter:
    • Username
    • Password