8 Best-Selling OpenVPN Books Millions Trust

Discover authoritative OpenVPN books by leading experts like M. Feliner, Jan Just Keijser, and others. These best-selling guides offer practical, proven techniques for VPN setup, security, and troubleshooting.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in a technical field like OpenVPN. With VPN usage surging worldwide, knowing how to build and secure private networks using OpenVPN is more important than ever. These books have been embraced widely because they offer proven, practical solutions that network professionals and enthusiasts rely on to manage VPNs securely and efficiently.

The experts behind these works bring decades of experience in Linux, network security, and system administration. Markus Feilner's clear explanations, Jan Just Keijser's real-world recipes, and Eric Crist's detailed troubleshooting insights reflect deep engagement with OpenVPN's evolving landscape. Their combined expertise ensures that readers gain authoritative knowledge grounded in industry practice.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific OpenVPN needs might consider creating a personalized OpenVPN book that combines these validated approaches for a uniquely relevant learning experience.

Best for foundational OpenVPN setup
Markus Feilner is a seasoned Linux expert from Regensburg, Germany, with decades of experience in open source software. His background as a trainer, consultant, author, and journalist uniquely positions him to explain complex topics like VPNs with clarity and authority. This book reflects his deep engagement with Linux and networking technologies, aiming to equip you with practical skills to build and manage OpenVPN setups effectively.
2006·272 pages·OpenVPN, Networking, Security, VPN, Encryption

What makes M. Feliner's book a steady go-to in VPN literature is how it balances foundational knowledge with clear, practical guidance. The author, a seasoned Linux expert, distills complex VPN and encryption concepts into digestible pieces, walking you through everything from installation on various operating systems to advanced configurations like proxy tunneling and OpenVPN scripting. For instance, chapters on creating x509 certificates and configuring firewalls provide hands-on examples that demystify what often feels like arcane territory. If you’re managing secure networks or just starting with VPNs, this book lays out the essentials without overwhelming you, though a basic understanding of Linux helps you get the most from it.

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Best for advanced configuration recipes
Jan Just Keijser is an open source professional with extensive IT experience since 1989, specializing in UNIX/Linux platforms and network programming. His long-term involvement with OpenVPN since 2004 and role as a senior scientific programmer at Nikhef underpin the practical insights shared in this book. Drawing from years of community support and real-world application, he offers a resource grounded in deep expertise that addresses the needs of system administrators and networking experts who require reliable OpenVPN solutions.
Openvpn 2 Cookbook book cover

by Jan Just Keijser··You?

2011·356 pages·OpenVPN, Networking, Security, VPN Configuration, Network Administration

The methods Jan Just Keijser developed while deeply engaged with OpenVPN since 2004 form the foundation of this book, which is structured as a practical cookbook for system administrators and networking professionals. You’ll find detailed recipes addressing common challenges and configurations with OpenVPN, such as secure tunnel setups, certificate management, and troubleshooting network issues. This isn’t for beginners; you should come with a basic understanding of OpenVPN and network administration to fully benefit. If you manage VPNs or want to deepen your hands-on skills with OpenVPN’s complexities, this book offers targeted solutions without unnecessary theory.

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Best for custom VPN solutions
This AI-created book on OpenVPN techniques is crafted based on your experience level and the specific VPN challenges you face. By sharing your background and goals, you receive a tailored guide focused on the OpenVPN methods most relevant to you. This approach makes learning more efficient, skipping generic content to concentrate on what truly matters for your VPN setup and security needs.
2025·50-300 pages·OpenVPN, OpenVPN Basics, VPN Security, Network Configuration, Encryption Protocols

This personalized book explores the proven techniques and battle-tested OpenVPN methods that address your unique VPN challenges. It delves into core concepts of secure VPN deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting, tailored to match your background and specific goals. By focusing on your interests, it reveals practical ways to navigate OpenVPN’s complexities, combining widely validated knowledge with insights shaped by your needs. This tailored guide ensures you gain a focused understanding of OpenVPN’s secure tunnels, encryption, authentication, and network integration. Readers will engage with content that not only examines essential OpenVPN operations but also adapts to their technical experience, providing an efficient pathway to mastering VPN management.

Tailored Guide
Battle-Tested Methods
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for deep VPN security skills
Eric Crist is a seasoned expert in networking and system administration, known for making complex networking concepts accessible. His extensive experience in secure network solutions drove him to write this detailed guide on OpenVPN. With a focus on practical applications, he equips you with the knowledge to build and manage secure private networks, leveraging his clear, methodical approach to ensure you can confidently deploy and troubleshoot OpenVPN setups across diverse environments.
Mastering Openvpn book cover

by Eric Crist, Jan Just Keijser··You?

2015·364 pages·VPN, OpenVPN, Networking, Security, Authentication

Eric Crist, a seasoned networking and system administration expert, developed this guide to address the growing need for secure private networks. You’ll learn how to configure OpenVPN with multiple authentication methods, manage certificates through a built-in PKI, and deploy VPNs across various devices including mobile platforms. The book covers nuances like routed versus bridged networking modes and integrates monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting techniques, making it a solid choice if you’re comfortable with TCP/IP and looking to deepen your VPN skills. It’s particularly beneficial for network engineers and system administrators aiming to strengthen network security with hands-on OpenVPN expertise.

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Best for scalable VPN deployments
Jan Just Keijser is an open source professional from Utrecht with decades of IT experience, ranging from system administration to network programming. Currently a senior scientific programmer at Nikhef in Amsterdam, he has specialized in virtual private networking since discovering OpenVPN in 2004. His extensive background and ongoing work in high-performance computing systems uniquely position him to provide deep insights into OpenVPN's advanced features, making this book a valuable tool for professionals seeking to master complex VPN environments.
OpenVPN Cookbook, Second Edition book cover

by Jan Just Keijser··You?

2017·400 pages·OpenVPN, VPN, Networking, Security, Encryption

After analyzing extensive use cases and evolving VPN technologies, Jan Just Keijser developed a resourceful guide that goes beyond basic OpenVPN setup. The book walks you through configuring scalable VPN server farms capable of handling thousands of dynamic connections, diving deep into encryption, authentication, and OpenSSL certification nuances. You get hands-on recipes for managing IPv6 and even IPv64 connections, plus troubleshooting techniques for complex network environments. This book suits IT professionals and system administrators who need to secure and optimize high-demand OpenVPN deployments rather than casual users.

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Best for solving VPN connectivity issues
This book stands out as a focused resource for anyone working with OpenVPN, addressing the practical challenges of troubleshooting this widely used VPN software. Its approach is grounded in real technical tasks like analyzing logs and packet data to pinpoint issues that could affect your network’s security and uptime. By tackling common problems from authentication to script errors, it offers a clear path to smoother VPN operations, making it a valuable tool for network professionals seeking to maintain robust private connections.
2017·178 pages·OpenVPN, Networking, Troubleshooting, Security, IPv4

Drawing from his extensive experience in network security, Eric F Crist wrote this guide to tackle the persistent challenges OpenVPN users face. You’ll learn concrete troubleshooting methods like packet sniffing, log parsing, and handling OpenSSL errors, all explained with real-world application in mind. The book breaks down operating system-specific faults and dives into IPv4 and IPv6 networking issues, offering practical fixes to enhance your VPN’s reliability and performance. If you manage or maintain secure private networks, this book provides focused insights to help you quickly identify and resolve connectivity problems without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for rapid VPN setup plans
This AI-created book on OpenVPN setup is crafted based on your experience, interests, and goals. It focuses on guiding you through a step-by-step VPN launch tailored to your skill level, ensuring you get exactly the information you need to build and secure your own VPN. By customizing the content to your background and objectives, this book helps you avoid generic advice and jump straight into practical, meaningful actions that fit your specific context.
2025·50-300 pages·OpenVPN, VPN Basics, OpenVPN Setup, Network Security, Certificate Management

This personalized book explores the essential steps to launch your own OpenVPN setup within 30 days, focusing on rapid, clear, and practical actions tailored to your background. It examines key concepts from VPN basics to advanced security configurations, guiding you through individualized, step-by-step procedures that match your specific goals. By concentrating on your interests and experience level, it reveals how to build a secure VPN environment efficiently while addressing challenges unique to your setup. This tailored learning experience combines widely validated knowledge with a personalized focus, enabling you to understand, configure, and secure OpenVPN with confidence and speed.

Tailored Guide
Stepwise VPN Launch
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for quick server deployment beginners
Jen Harvey Hugg is a technology expert with extensive experience in network security and server management. She has authored several guides aimed at helping novices and professionals alike to navigate complex technical processes with ease. Her practical knowledge makes this book an accessible resource for anyone looking to build a secure, private OpenVPN server quickly and confidently.
2017·145 pages·OpenVPN, VPN, Networking, Server Management, Cloud Computing

What if everything you knew about setting up a VPN was wrong? Jen Harvey Hugg cuts through the complexity to show you how anyone can set up a secure OpenVPN server quickly, even on a smartphone. The book walks you through installing and configuring OpenVPN on Amazon Web Services, securing it with tools like Apache and OSSEC, and managing network traffic to block ads. You’ll also gain practical skills in Linux command line basics and cloud infrastructure. If you want a hands-on introduction to building your own VPN without getting lost in technical jargon, this guide fits the bill perfectly.

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Best for Linux and Android VPN setup
Adrian Offerman holds advanced degrees in computer engineering and psychology, bringing over two decades of experience as an IT consultant and journalist specializing in Linux and open source software. His extensive background in networking and security informs this practical guide, designed to help you build a secure OpenVPN infrastructure on Linux and Android platforms with confidence and clarity.
2014·100 pages·OpenVPN, Networking, Security, Linux Configuration, VPN Setup

Drawing from Adrian Offerman's dual expertise in computer engineering and psychology, this guide takes a practical approach to setting up an OpenVPN server and clients within Linux and Android environments. You’ll gain hands-on experience configuring network components like private IPs, firewalls, and DNS resolving, complemented by clear instructions, configuration examples, and security considerations. The book is tailored for those with some Linux and networking knowledge aiming to establish a private, secure VPN infrastructure, whether for personal use or small organizations. Chapters navigate through real configuration tasks, such as generating PKI credentials and enabling IP forwarding, offering you a solid foundation in OpenVPN deployment.

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Best for hands-on VPN server control
J Harvey is a technology expert with extensive experience in networking and cloud computing, specializing in VPN solutions. Drawing on his deep knowledge of VPN infrastructure, he authored this book to help you take control by launching and managing your own OpenVPN server. His background ensures the material covers both foundational and advanced topics, from basic setup to securing web servers and using intrusion detection software, making it a valuable guide for anyone interested in mastering their VPN environment.
2019·145 pages·VPN, OpenVPN, Networking, Linux Tools, Cloud Computing

What started as a personal challenge to simplify VPN setup became a detailed guide by J Harvey, a seasoned technology expert in networking and cloud computing. This book walks you through launching your own private OpenVPN server with ad-blocking capabilities, then digs into advanced topics like securing Apache web servers, intrusion detection, and troubleshooting network performance. Whether you’re aiming to strengthen your understanding of Linux command line tools or explore Amazon Web Services in a networking context, this book offers practical insights. If you want hands-on control over your VPN infrastructure and a solid grasp of related security and networking concepts, this is a straightforward resource to consider.

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Popular OpenVPN Methods, Personalized

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Trusted by thousands mastering OpenVPN worldwide

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Conclusion

The collection of these 8 best-selling OpenVPN books highlights clear themes: practical, battle-tested methods; authoritative insights from seasoned professionals; and a focus on both foundational and advanced VPN topics. If you prefer proven methods, start with "Openvpn" by M. Feliner for solid fundamentals. For validated approaches addressing complex setups, consider "OpenVPN Cookbook, Second Edition" and "Mastering Openvpn."

For hands-on troubleshooting, "Troubleshooting OpenVPN" offers targeted problem-solving techniques. If you want quick deployment, "The 7 Minute Server" and "DIY VPN" provide accessible entry points. Alternatively, you can create a personalized OpenVPN book to combine proven methods with your unique needs.

These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in securing their networks and mastering OpenVPN. Whether you're a seasoned admin or just starting, these books offer paths that have stood the test of time and practical use.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Openvpn" by M. Feliner if you're new to VPNs. It covers foundational concepts clearly and helps you get comfortable with OpenVPN basics before moving on.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to OpenVPN?

Not all. "The 7 Minute Server" and "DIY VPN" are beginner-friendly and walk you through quick and accessible setups. Others target users with some networking experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational guides like "Openvpn," then explore configuration-focused books such as "Openvpn 2 Cookbook." Finally, deepen skills with "Mastering Openvpn" and troubleshooting aids.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your needs. For broad understanding, start with one foundational book. For specific challenges, choose books focused on configuration or troubleshooting.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast OpenVPN changes?

While some books are older, their core principles and practical configurations remain relevant. For the latest features, combining these with up-to-date resources or personalized content helps.

How can personalized OpenVPN books complement these expert guides?

Personalized books build on expert methods by tailoring content to your background and goals. They combine proven strategies with your unique context for efficient learning. Learn more here.

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