Setting up Ubuntu built-in VPN client

This guide explains how to configure the Ubuntu built-in NetworkManager L2TP VPN client to connect to your VPN gateway.

Installing required packages

Run the following commands to update your package list and install the L2TP plugin for NetworkManager:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y network-manager-l2tp network-manager-l2tp-gnome

Setting up a new VPN connection

1. Click the network connection icon in the top-right corner of the desktop and click Settings.

2. In Settings, select the Network tab on the left. Click the + button next to the VPN label to add a new VPN connection.

3. Choose Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) as the tunneling protocol.

4. Fill in the connection details using your user credentials:

   • Gateway: your VPN gateway IP address
   • User name: your Login
   • Password: your Password

   Click the user symbol in the password field and select Store the password only for this user.

5. Click IPsec Settings… to open the IPsec configuration panel.

   • Check Enable IPsec tunnel to L2TP host.
   • Enter your Shared Secret in the Pre-shared key field.
   • Click Advanced and set:
     • Phase1 Algorithms: ike=aes128-sha1-modp2048
     • Phase2 Algorithms: esp=aes128-sha1
   • Click OK.

6. Open the IPv4 tab and scroll to Routes. Add a route as shown below, then click Add. Save the connection by clicking Add.

7. Toggle the VPN connection on in Settings → Network → VPN to confirm it connects successfully.