Deploy Access Server on Azure — Choose Your Licensing Model
Deploy OpenVPN Access Server on AWS — choose from three Marketplace licensing options: BYOL (bring your own license), PAYG (pay-as-you-go, billed through AWS), or Tiered (pre-licensed for a fixed connection count). Guidance on which model fits your use case.
Overview
You can deploy Access Server on Microsoft Azure in several ways, depending on how you want to deploy and manage your Access Server instance.
You can start from the Access Server Hub for a guided deployment, generate an Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template, install Access Server on your own Linux virtual machines, deploy with Docker, or choose an Access Server offering from the Azure Marketplace.
Use this page to compare the available options and choose the deployment path that fits your needs.
Choose an Azure deployment option
Access Server Link
Use Access Server Link, shown as Azure Launcher in the Access Server Hub, for a guided deployment from your OpenVPN account.
Access Server Link simplifies deployment and connects the new Access Server instance with the Access Server Hub.
Choose the option if you:
Want a guided deployment experience.
Want to start your deployment from the Access Server Hub.
Want to manage your Access Server deployment and subscription through your OpenVPN account.
ARM Template
Use an ARM template to automate the creation of Access Server and its required Azure resources.
From the Access Server Hub, select your subscription and Azure deployment settings, then use the generated ARM template to deploy it to your Azure account.
Choose this option if you:
Already have or want to purchase an Access Server subscription directly from OpenVPN.
Want Azure Resource Manager to create the required Azure resources.
Want to deploy into your own Azure environment.
Prefer to start the deployment from the Access Server Hub rather than the Azure Marketplace.
Linux on Azure
Use Linux on Azure if you want to create your own supported Linux virtual machine in Azure and install Access Server with the installation script.
Choose this option if you:
Want to manage the underlying Linux virtual machine yourself.
Already have Azure infrastructure where you want to install Access Server.
Prefer a standard Linux installation instead of a preconfigured Azure Marketplace image.
Deployment options are supported on Ubuntu, Debian, and Red Hat.
Docker on Azure
Use Docker on Azure if you want to run Access Server as a Docker container in your Azure environment.
The Access Server Hub provides the docker pull and docker run commands needed to deploy the container.
Choose this option if your environment already uses Docker or you prefer a container-based deployment.
Deploy from Azure Marketplace
Azure Marketplace provides two Access Server purchasing and licensing options.
Choose Azure Marketplace if you prefer to start the deployment from your Microsoft Azure account and purchase or deploy Access Server through Azure Marketplace.
Azure PAYG
Choose the SaaS Contract (Pay As You Go) offering if you want to purchase Access Server through Azure Marketplace.
Choose PAYG if you:
Prefer to purchase Access Server through Azure Marketplace.
Want Access Server charges included with your Azure billing.
Don't want to purchase and activate a separate Access Server subscription directly from OpenVPN.
Microsoft Azure handles billing for the Access Server Marketplace subscription and the Azure resources used by your deployment.
Azure BYOL
Choose Azure BYOL if you want to use an Access Server subscription purchased directly from OpenVPN.
With BYOL, you deploy the Access Server virtual machine from Azure Marketplace and activate it with an OpenVPN subscription.
Choose Azure BYOL if you:
Already have an Access Server subscription.
Want to purchase and manage your Access Server subscription through OpenVPN.
Want to manage your Azure infrastructure costs separately from your Access Server subscription.
Want the flexibility of an OpenVPN subscription that isn't tied to Azure Marketplace billing.
OpenVPN bills you for your Access Server subscription, and Microsoft Azure bills you separately for the Azure resources used by your deployment.
Compare the Azure Marketplace licensing options
Licensing option | Access Server billing | Azure infrastructure billing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
PAYG | Microsoft Azure | Microsoft Azure | Customers who prefer to purchase and manage Access Server through Azure Marketplace. |
BYOL | OpenVPN | Microsoft Azure | Customers who already have or want to manage an Access Server subscription directly through OpenVPN. |
Where should I start?
Use the Access Server Hub if you want to:
Deploy with Access Server Link.
Generate an ARM template for an automated Azure deployment.
Install Access Server manually on a Linux instance.
Deploy Access Server with Docker.
Choose an Azure Marketplace offering from the OpenVPN deployment page.
Use Azure Marketplace directly if you already work primarily in Azure and want to choose between the PAYG and BYOL Access Server offerings.
For a guided deployment from your OpenVPN account, use Access Server Link. If you want to automate deployment of Access Server resources into your Azure environment with an existing OpenVPN subscription, use the ARM Template option.