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How to Choose the Right Amazon AMI Image for Access Server on AWS Marketplace

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How to determine which Amazon AMI image to choose for Access Server. | OpenVPN

Question: Which Amazon AMI option should I pick for my Access Server?

Answer:

You can find several listings when you search for "OpenVPN" on the AWS Marketplace:

Question: What are the differences between BYOL (subscription license) and tiered (AWS license) options?

Answer:

We offer two types of AMI images on the AWS Marketplace:

  1. BYOL (Bring Your Own License):

    • Manage your license directly through OpenVPN.

    • How it works: After launching the AMI in AWS, you activate the VPN server with a subscription purchased on the Access Server Portal.

    • Benefits:

      • Start with two free connections to test your setup.

      • Scale as needed by purchasing and managing the number of connected devices on the Access Server Portal.

      • Choose between monthly and annual subscription plans for more control over costs.

      • AWS charges apply only to the instance size, with no built-in device limits.

  2. AWS License:

    • Manage your billing all through AWS.

    • How it works: Select the image with the set number of VPN connections you need (e.g., 5, 10, 25, etc.).

    • Benefits:

      • Consolidate all costs in your AWS bill as the AWS license includes the specified number of connections.

      • Launch and manage the instance without needing to buy separate subscriptions.

      • Stop instance billing by stopping the server in AWS.

Question: Which option is right for me?

Answer:

  • Choose a subscription license if you:

    • Want more flexibility in scaling your VPN connections up or down.

    • Prefer paying for connections through the Access Server Portal (monthly or annually).

    • Are comfortable managing the subscription separately from AWS charges.

  • Choose an AWS license if you:

    • Want to consolidate all your costs (instance usage and VPN connections) into a single AWS bill.

    • Don’t need frequent changes to the number of connected devices.

    • Prefer the simplicity of one-stop billing through AWS.

Question: Can I change the number of connections with the AWS license option?

Answer:

No, with an AWS license, if you need to increase or decrease the number of VPN connections, you must launch a new instance with a different tiered (e.g., upgrading from 10 to 25 connections). You will need to migrate your configuration to the new instance.

Question: What happens when I stop an instance?

Answer:

  • Subscription license: When you stop an instance, AWS billing pauses for that instance, but your OpenVPN subscription remains active.

  • AWS license: Both the instance billing and the connected device licensing charges through AWS stop when you stop the instance.

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