---
title: OpenVPN Quickstart
canonical: https://openvpn.net/community-docs/openvpn-quickstart/
product: Community Docs
---

# OpenVPN Quickstart

While this HOWTO will guide you in setting up a scalable client/server VPN using an X509 PKI (public key infrastructure using certificates and private keys), this might be overkill if you are only looking for a simple VPN setup with a server that can handle a single client.

## Static key advantages

- Simple setup.
- No X509 PKI (public key infrastructure) to maintain.

## Static key disadvantages

- Limited scalability — one client, one server.
- Lack of **perfect forward secrecy** — key compromise results in total disclosure of previous sessions.
- Secret key must exist in plaintext form on each VPN peer.
- Secret key must be exchanged using a pre-existing secure channel.

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Prev: [OpenVPN 2.x How-To](https://openvpn.net/community-docs/how-to.md)
Next: [Installing OpenVPN](https://openvpn.net/community-docs/installing-openvpn.md)
Index: https://openvpn.net/community-docs/llms.txt