This tutorial will go through the steps to install a PPTP VPN on CentOS 7 systems. A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that extends a private network (i.e. LAN) across a public network, such as the Internet. It enables communications between computers and devices across shared or public networks as if they were directly connected to the private network while benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the private network.

For those who may have trouble accessing the VPN due to a forgotten root password, you can refer to our guide on how to reset the forgotten root password on CentOS.

This is done by establishing a virtual point-to-point connection through dedicated connections, encryption, or a combination of the two. If two computers are connected through a VPN, they can communicate directly in the same way as if they were on the local network. Although the two computers could be physically very distant, the other computers on the internet cannot intercept their communication.

To further enhance your online security and privacy, consider exploring our guide on how to use a VPN, which provides essential tips and best practices for maximizing the benefits of your VPN connection.

What is Point-To-Point Tunneling (PPTP)?

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, or PPTP, is a VPN protocol that ensures proper communications between a VPN client and a VPN server. It also is available for CentOS Linux. Although this is a widely used protocol, it is rarely used nowadays by administrators. The reason for this is that this protocol doesn't come with encryption and authentication. 

For a more secure and user-friendly alternative to manage your VPN connections on CentOS, consider using Webmin. You can learn how to install Webmin on CentOS by following our detailed guide here.

First, install pptpd

yum install ppp iptables nano

cd /usr/local/src

For 64bit OS:

wget http://poptop.sourceforge.net/yum/stable/packages/pptpd-1.4.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm

rpm -Uhvpptpd-1.4.0-1.el6.x86_64.rpm

For 32bit OS:

wget http://poptop.sourceforge.net/yum/stable/packages/pptpd-1.4.0-1.el6.i686.rpm

rpm -Uhv pptpd-1.4.0-1.el6.i686.rpm

Setup pptpd

Edit IP setttings in /etc/pptpd.conf:

nano /etc/pptpd.conf 

localip 192.168.0.1 # your VPS/Dedicated Server IP address 
remoteip 192.168.0.101-200

And the following settings to /etc/ppp/options.pptpd:

ms-dns 8.8.8.8
ms-dns 4.4.4.4

Create a user to access the VPN server

Add user account in/etc/ppp/chap-secrets (assign username and password):

nano /etc/ppp/chap-secrets

vpn pptpd vpnpassword *

Suggested Addition: For more information on selecting the right VPN for your needs, check out our guide on how to choose a VPN.

Enable network forwarding in /etc/sysctl.conf

nano /etc/sysctl.conf 

net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1

To make the changes to sysctl.conf take effect, use the following command:

sysctl -p

Set up iptables

You need to add the following iptables rules to open the correct ports and properly forward the data packets:

iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 1723 -j ACCEPT

iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -p gre -j ACCEPT

iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE

For a comprehensive guide on configuring a VPN setup, including a detailed walkthrough for Windows environments, check out our post on How to Set Up a VPN in a Windows VPS.

Start PPTP VPN server

service pptpd restart

chkconfig pptpd on

Congratulations! You have successfully installed the PPTP VPN on CentOS 7. If you're looking to enhance your web development skills further, consider exploring how to install Django on CentOS 7 for creating robust web applications.

Conclusions

We hope this tutorial helped you install PPTP VPN on CentOS 7. PPTP protocol does not come with authentication or encryption, so many administrators avoid using it. However, it is quite straightforward to set up on a CentOS server distribution. Typically, the PPTP protocol is used to provide similar levels of protection, security, and remote access as other VPN products. For enhanced security, you can use the PPTP control channel over TCP and a GRE tunnel to encapsulate PPP packets, adding an extra layer of protection.

For those looking to expand their server capabilities further, consider also setting up the Ioncube Loader on your CentOS server. You can follow our guide on installing Ioncube Loader on CentOS to ensure your PHP applications run smoothly and securely.

If you are looking for more secure options, consider setting up a VPS for OpenVPN or a VPS for VPN. OpenVPN offers robust encryption and authentication, making it a more secure choice compared to PPTP. Whether you are securing your personal data or managing a remote workforce, using a VPS for OpenVPN or other VPN solutions can provide a higher level of security and flexibility.

For those interested in enhancing their server capabilities, you might also want to check out our guide on how to install MariaDB on CentOS. Setting up a database server like MariaDB can significantly improve your application's performance and security, making it a valuable addition to your setup.

Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance with VPN setups or choosing the right VPS for your needs!

People also read: