QNAP TurboNAS VPN Server: Useful Feature?

MyCloudNAS integrated

The QNAP VPN Server is seamless integrated with the QNAP MyCloudNAS service and Auto Router Configuration. Complicated port forwarding settings for PPTP and OpenVPN are therefore simplified.

I decided to install the VPN server on my QNAP TS-419P+ and see how it worked.

Server Configuration

Configuration is possible using either tried and true PPTP or Open VPN.  Since PPTP is a lighter install on the client side and still delivers 128 bit encryption, I opted for that route.  This leaves the VPN server able to operate with PC’s, Mac’s, iPad’s and Android devices without installing a dedicated client.  Note that Open VPN supports more robust encryption, and I’d recommend looking at that if you want the most robust encryption, don’t want to use this with mobile devices and are comfortable with a slightly more complex client-side installation.

Here is how you set up the QNAP NAS PPTP VPN server.  First, log into the administrative interface for your QNAP and navigate to Application Servers.  Click on VPN Service.

Click on VPN Server Settings.  Under General Settings, choose the ethernet port that you want to use.  I only have one port in production right now, so I chose Ethernet 1, the one that is in use.  Under PPTP Settings, click Enable PPTP VPN Server.  Click on Advanced Settings to tweak the max number of clients, authentication options in use and encryption level.  Scroll to the bottom of the window and click Apply.  Congratulations, you have configured the PPTP VPN sever for use!

Now onto client configuration.  Click on VPN Client Management.

Here, you create new users.  (Guess which one lives in the UK?  ).  Click on Add VPN User, fill in the details and password requested, and save.  Client user ID’s are now configured for use.  You are now ready to configure devices.  Here, I use the iPad as an example.