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    VPN Setup Guide

    ZeroTier VPN Setup

    Set up a software-defined networking platform using ZeroTier on your RamNode VPS. Create secure peer-to-peer networks with centralized management and authentication.

    Ubuntu 24.04+
    ZeroTier VPN
    ⏱️ 15-20 minutes
    1

    What is ZeroTier?

    ZeroTier is a software-defined networking platform that creates secure peer-to-peer networks. Unlike traditional VPNs that route all traffic through a central server, ZeroTier creates direct encrypted connections between devices while maintaining centralized network management and authentication.

    Key Features

    • Software-defined networking
    • Peer-to-peer connections
    • Centralized management
    • Cross-platform support

    Benefits

    • Easy setup and management
    • NAT traversal capabilities
    • Scalable architecture
    • Free tier available
    2

    Prerequisites

    Before beginning the ZeroTier installation, ensure you have the following:

    3

    Initial VPS Setup and Security

    First, let's make sure your VPS is properly configured and secured:

    Update your system
    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

    Configure Basic Firewall

    Configure UFW firewall
    # Install UFW if not already installed
sudo apt install ufw -y

# Set default policies
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing

# Allow SSH (adjust port if you've changed it)
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp

# Allow ZeroTier
sudo ufw allow 9993/udp

# Enable firewall
sudo ufw --force enable

# Check status
sudo ufw status verbose

    Security Note

    Make sure SSH access is properly configured before enabling the firewall to avoid being locked out of your VPS.

    4

    Create ZeroTier Account

    Before installing ZeroTier on your VPS, you'll need a ZeroTier account to manage your networks:

    1. 1Visit my.zerotier.com and create a free account
    2. 2Verify your email address
    3. 3Log in to the ZeroTier Central dashboard

    Free Tier Includes

    • • Up to 25 devices per network
    • • Unlimited networks
    • • Basic support
    • • All core features
    5

    Install ZeroTier on Your VPS

    Install the ZeroTier client on your RamNode VPS:

    Install ZeroTier using the official script
    curl -s https://install.zerotier.com | sudo bash

    Alternative Manual Installation

    If you prefer to install manually:

    Manual installation steps
    # Add ZeroTier GPG key
curl -s 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zerotier/ZeroTierOne/master/doc/contact%40zerotier.com.gpg' | gpg --import

# Add ZeroTier repository
echo 'deb https://download.zerotier.com/debian/jammy jammy main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/zerotier.list

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Install ZeroTier
sudo apt install zerotier-one -y
    Verify installation
    # Check ZeroTier service status
sudo systemctl status zerotier-one

# Check ZeroTier version
zerotier-cli info
    6

    Create a ZeroTier Network

    Now create a new network through the ZeroTier Central dashboard:

    1. 1Log in to ZeroTier Central
    2. 2Click "Create A Network"
    3. 3Note down the 16-character Network ID (you'll need this)
    4. 4Give your network a descriptive name
    5. 5Configure the IPv4 address range (default is usually fine)

    Network ID Format:

    Network IDs are 16 hexadecimal characters, like: a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8

    7

    Join Your VPS to the Network

    Connect your VPS to the ZeroTier network you just created:

    Join the network
    # Replace NETWORK_ID with your actual network ID sudo zerotier-cli join NETWORK_ID
    Check connection status
    zerotier-cli listnetworks

    Authorize the Device

    By default, new devices need to be authorized before they can communicate on the network:

    1. 1. Go back to ZeroTier Central in your browser
    2. 2. Click on your network
    3. 3. Scroll down to the "Members" section
    4. 4. You should see your VPS listed with its ZeroTier address
    5. 5. Check the "Auth?" checkbox to authorize the device
    6. 6. Optionally, give it a descriptive name
    Verify the connection
    # Check if you have received an IP address zerotier-cli listnetworks # The network should show as ONLINE with an assigned IP
    8

    Configure Network Settings

    Configure your ZeroTier network settings through the web interface:

    9

    Connect Additional Devices

    Connect other devices to your ZeroTier network:

    Remember

    Each device needs to be authorized in ZeroTier Central before it can communicate on the network. This provides an additional security layer.

    10

    Advanced Configuration

    Configure advanced features for your ZeroTier network:

    11

    Testing Your ZeroTier Network

    Verify that your ZeroTier network is working correctly:

    Check network status
    # List all ZeroTier networks
zerotier-cli listnetworks

# Check peers (other devices on the network)
zerotier-cli listpeers
    Test connectivity between devices
    # Ping another device on the network (replace with actual ZeroTier IP)
ping 192.168.195.2

# Test SSH to another device
ssh user@192.168.195.2

# Check routing table
ip route show | grep zt

    Connection Tests

    Basic Tests
    • • Ping between devices
    • • SSH connectivity
    • • File transfer (scp/rsync)
    • • Web service access
    Performance Tests
    • • Network speed (iperf3)
    • • Latency measurement
    • • Connection stability
    • • NAT traversal check
    12

    Troubleshooting Common Issues

    13

    Security Best Practices

    Follow these security guidelines to keep your ZeroTier network secure:

    Network Security

    • Use private networks (not public)
    • Regularly review authorized devices
    • Implement flow rules for access control
    • Use descriptive device names

    System Security

    • Keep ZeroTier client updated
    • Secure ZeroTier Central account with 2FA
    • Monitor network activity logs
    • Use strong passwords for connected services

    Security Reminders

    • • Never share your Network ID publicly
    • • Deauthorize devices that are no longer needed
    • • Regularly audit your network members
    • • Consider using flow rules to segment network access

    Success!

    You now have a fully functional ZeroTier network running on your RamNode VPS. This setup provides you with a secure, software-defined network that can connect devices anywhere in the world as if they were on the same local network.

    ZeroTier's peer-to-peer architecture means that once devices are connected, they can communicate directly with each other, providing excellent performance while maintaining security through encryption and centralized authentication.

    Remember to regularly review your network members and keep your ZeroTier client updated. With proper management, this setup will provide reliable, secure networking for all your connected devices.

    For advanced features and enterprise options, visit the ZeroTier documentation or explore their commercial offerings.