How to install OUTLINE VPN

Ever tried setting up a VPN? Well, setting up a virtual private network has not been particularly easy.

But this time, we will talk about Outline VPN. It is known to be an easy install option compared to other existing VPN.

Created by Jigsaw, Outline VPN is an open-source VPN. The VPNs are not only secure but can also be effortlessly set up. Outline VPN was made mainly for journalists and news organizations, but this doesn’t have to stop you from taking advantage of the VPN.

Organizations can set up a VPN without complications on their own server, via Outline. This gives a certain power to the organization since it can provide safer access to the internet and communicate privately.

Why is outline VPN server so easy to set up?

It is because of these three simple aspects. Firstly, it used Docker containers. The outline and docker combination is what makes the VPN installation easy. Secondly, it takes only a single command for installation. And thirdly, it can be installed jointly with other web servers and apps.

Now let’s get to the actual goal of this article, setting up the Outline VPN.

Before starting, you are required to have a VPS, a working Docker installation, a non-root sudo–enabled user and a local computer running Windows or Linux.

If you have not installed Docker, follow this step. If you have already installed, then skip this step.

Step 1. Installing Docker

Installing Docker service takes only a moment. Use this one-line command to begin the installation.

$ sudo curl -sS https://get.docker.com/ | sh

The script will be updated and the appropriate Docker repositories will be added to install the Docker packages. After this, you may have to start the Docker service.

$ sudo systemctl start docker
$ sudo systemctl enable docker

As a final check, verify that the Docker service is running ;

$ sudo sudo systemctl status docker
● docker.service - Docker Application Container Engine
   Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/docker.service; disabled; vendor preset: disabled)
  Drop-In: /etc/systemd/system/docker.service.d
           └─firewalld.conf
   Active: active (running) since Mon 2020-03-26 14:36:26 IST; 4s ago
     Docs: https://docs.docker.com
 Main PID: 31232 (dockerd)

Step 2. Installing the Outline VPN server

With the above installation, you can now run the Outline server installation script :

$ sudo wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Jigsaw-Code/outline-server/master/src/server_manager/install_scripts/install_server.sh | bash

You might notice a lot of output scripts – necessary programs are verified and two Docker containers are downloaded and started. After the installation, you will see a similar-looking output ;

{
  "apiUrl": "https://123.456.78.9:12345/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
  "certSha256": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
}

Good job! You have successfully installed  VPN sever. Make sure you keep this information safe. You will need it in the following step.

Step 3. Setting up your VPN, using Outline Manager

So, there is a desktop app called Outline manager. This app helps users configure their Outline VPN server. Download and install the appropriate version of this manager on your local computer.

Now, open the Outline Manager app and scroll down to Set up Outline anywhere and select the Get started option.

Two steps will pop up on your screen. You have already completed the first step! So, for the second step, all you have to do is copy the bracketed text you got as the output from step 2 into the field and click on Done.

Once connected, you will notice that you already have a key named My access key.

A click on the Get connected button will give you a walkthrough on the installation and configuration of the VPN client for your platform.

Once you are finished connecting to the VPN, try visiting a website that will tell you your IP address. If this IP matches with the IP of your VPS, then give yourself credits – you are browsing through your VPN!

Step 4. Let us get to the best part, sharing your VPN. Outline VPN has this feature too!

To add a new user, firstly, you need to create an additional Outline server key. Find and click the Add key. Click on the Share button to generate a URL. Now, you can share this URL with whomever you choose! If in case of a breach, remember you can always delete the key.

Outline is proving to be very useful. Everybody is looking forward to what other developments can do. You just got to know how easy it is to set up VPN on your server.

Have more questions? Hit us up in the comments!