4 OpenVPN Books That Elevate Your VPN Skills

What if everything you knew about setting up VPN servers was wrong? Lin Song, PhD, draws from over a decade of open source development to challenge conventional VPN installation methods in this guide. You learn how to deploy IPsec VPN with IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard on cloud platforms or Raspberry Pi devices, including client configuration for multiple operating systems. The book breaks down complex topics like running IPsec on Docker and troubleshooting, making it suitable for developers and IT professionals aiming to secure their networks through self-hosted solutions. If you're looking for a purely theoretical overview, this might not be for you, but if hands-on setup and customization interest you, this book delivers.

What if everything you knew about setting up VPNs was incomplete? Eric Crist, with decades of hands-on networking and system administration experience, delves deep into OpenVPN's architecture and practical deployment. You learn to differentiate VPN protocols, build your own PKI, integrate authentication systems like LDAP, and troubleshoot complex issues such as MTU problems and iptables configurations. The book's detailed chapters on using "tun" and "tap" devices and deploying OpenVPN across diverse platforms make it clear who benefits most: network professionals with a solid TCP/IP background ready to secure private networks confidently. It’s a technical companion rather than a beginner's primer, ideal if you want to move beyond surface-level VPN knowledge.

This tailored OpenVPN Blueprint provides a personalized framework that addresses the detailed setup and management of OpenVPN environments, aligned closely with your specific networking context and security goals. It focuses on customizing configuration strategies, authentication mechanisms, and client-server interactions to fit particular infrastructure requirements, cutting through generic advice. The book explores advanced VPN deployment techniques, including encryption options, troubleshooting, and performance tuning, offering a tailored approach that fits your unique technical background and objectives. By concentrating on practical application within your environment, it enhances your capability to implement secure and efficient VPN solutions while avoiding irrelevant or overly broad guidance.

When Jan Just Keijser first discovered the nuances of OpenVPN, he realized much of the conventional guidance overlooked critical customization and security details. This book dives deep into configuring, managing, and securing OpenVPN networks, including advanced features like IPv6 support, load-balanced server farms, and integration with OpenSSL encryption and authentication modules. You’ll gain precise skills in setting up scalable VPN environments tailored to diverse needs, understanding both common and undocumented options. Whether you’re troubleshooting multi-client networks or optimizing security protocols, this book suits IT professionals who need hands-on, technical mastery without fluff or oversimplification.

When Jen Harvey Hugg realized many users struggled with setting up secure VPN servers, she crafted this guide to demystify the process. Drawing from her deep experience in network security and server management, she walks you through installing and hardening an OpenVPN server on Amazon Web Services, covering everything from basic networking to configuring Apache HTTP servers and intrusion detection. You’ll gain hands-on familiarity with Linux command line tools and learn to block advertising networks on connected devices. This book suits novices eager to build their own VPN as well as professionals seeking a straightforward deployment reference.