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Installing Access Server with the Installation Script

Abstract

How to use the Access Server installation script to configure repositories, install dependencies, and customize your installation with command-line options.

ℹ️ Overview

This topic explains how to use the Access Server installation script to install and configure Access Server on a supported Linux system. The script simplifies the installation process by automating key tasks like detecting the operating system, setting up the necessary repositories, installing required dependencies, and installing the Access Server package.

The installation script is available through the Access Server portal once you've signed in with your OpenVPN.net account. You can also use the script to install a specific Access Server version or perform a downgrade to an earlier version if needed.

📝 What is the Installation Script?

The installation script for Access Server is a simple, automated way to install the Access Server package on a Linux system. It is available from the Access Server portal after signing in with your OpenVPN.net account. The script handles the setup of repositories, installation of dependencies, and configuration of necessary modules like DCO (Data Channel Offload), all while simplifying the process for system administrators.

⚙️ What the Installation Script Does

When you run the installation script, it performs the following tasks:

  1. Detects Your OS: The script automatically detects the server's operating system (Ubuntu, Debian, RHEL, etc.), ensuring the correct installation method is chosen based on your system.

  2. Sets Up the Repository: Based on your detected OS, the script automatically configures the appropriate repository for your system.

  3. Installs Dependencies: The script installs any necessary dependencies for Access Server to run smoothly, such as networking libraries, security packages, and other supporting software.

  4. Installs the Access Server Package: The script installs the Access Server package, setting up the VPN server with a default configuration.

  5. Installs the DCO Module (optional): This installs an optional, high-performance kernel module to optimize performance. If there isn't support for this for your OS or you don't wish this to be installed, it can be excluded.

⬇️ Installing Specific Access Server Versions or Downgrades

You can use the installation script to install a specific version of Access Server by using the --as-version flag. If you need to perform a downgrade to a previous version of Access Server, you can specify the desired version using this flag.

Refer to this tutorial for the steps to downgrade:

💻 Command-Line Parameters

The installation script allows various command-line parameters to customize the installation process. Below are the available options:

Option

Description

-y, --yes

Automatically answers 'yes' to all prompts and runs the installation non-interactively. If an undesirable situation occurs, the installation will abort.

--without-dco

Disables the installation of the OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) module.

--as-version=VERSION

Specifies the version of Access Server to install. Replace VERSION with the desired version.

-h, --help

Displays a short usage summary.

-v, --version

Displays the version of the script being used.

📖 Manual Installation Options

There is an option for manual installation for users who require a more customized installation or wish to configure Access Server manually. This method provides a more granular approach, allowing you to control every installation and configuration process aspect.

For a detailed guide on how to perform a manual installation, refer to Installation.