How to Setup an L2TP/IPsec VPN Client on Linux

L2TP (which stands for Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) is a tunneling protocol designed to support virtual private networks (VPN connections) over the internet. It is implemented in most if not all modern operating systems including Linux and VPN-capable devices.

The L2TP does not provide any authentication or encryption mechanisms directly to traffic that passes through it, it is usually implemented with the IPsec authentication suite (L2TP/IPsec) to provide encryption within the L2TP tunnel.

In this article, we will show how to set up an L2TP/IPSec VPN connection in Ubuntu and its derivatives and Fedora Linux.

This guide assumes that the L2TP / IPsec VPN server set received following VPN connection details organization company system administrator .

Gateway IP address or hostname
Username and Password
Pre-shared Key (Secret)

How to Setup L2TP VPN Connection in Linux

To add an L2TP/IPsec option to the NetworkManager, you need to install the NetworkManager-l2tp VPN plugin which supports NetworkManager 1.8 and later. It provides support for L2TP and L2TP/IPsec.

To install the L2TP module on Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions, use the following PPA.

$ sudo add - apt - repository ppa is get : nm - l2tp / network - manager - l2tp 
 $ sudo apt - update 
 $ sudo apt - install network - manager - l2tp   network - manager - l2tp - gnome 

On RHEL/CentOS and Fedora Linux, use the following dnf command to install L2TP module.

# dnf install xl2tpd
# dnf install NetworkManager-l2tp
# dnf install NetworkManager-l2tp-gnome
OR
# yum install xl2tpd
# yum install NetworkManager-l2tp
# yum install NetworkManager-l2tp-gnome

package installation complete , clickNetwork Manager icon, then go to Network Settings.

Access Network Settings

Next, add a new VPN connection by clicking on the (+) sign.

Add New VPN Connection

Then select Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) option pop – window .

Select Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol

Next, enter the VPN connection details (gateway IP address or hostname, username and password) you received from the system administrator, in the following window.

Add VPN Details

Next, click IPsec Settings to enter the pre-shared key for the connection. Then enable IPsec tunnel to L2TP host, enter (or copy and paste the) the Pre-shared key and click Ok.

Add Pre-shared Key

After that, click Add. Now your new VPN connection should be added.

VPN Connection Created

, turn VPN connection start . connection details correct , connection established successfully .

Enable VPN Connection
Enabled VPN Connection

Last but not least, test if the VPN is working fine. You can check your computer’s public IP address to confirm this from a web browser: it should now point to the IP of the gateway.

Confirm Your VPN Connection

That’s the end of this article. If you have any queries or thoughts to share, reach us via the feedback form below.