Choosing OpenVPN Server Method

OpenVPN Server is supported in two different configurations on Wave IP. Choose the best option for the Wave IP install.

Vertical OpenVPN: Off-Wave

This option lets the Wave IP automatically configure and control the OpenVPN deployment. It is the preferred method for using OpenVPN Server. Use this method when there is a single Wave IP per OpenVPN server and the Vertical OpenVPN server image is being used.

OpenVPN: Custom Deployment

This option only configures the phone to work with OpenVPN. The Wave IP does not attempt to configure the OpenVPN Server. The administrator must do all configuration and maintenance tasks manually on the OpenVPN Server. Use this method when multiple Wave IPs are being used with a single OpenVPN server or if a non-standard OpenVPN server is being used. 

Multiple Wave Deployment

In general, multiple OpenVPN servers should be deployed when multiple Wave IPs are deployed.  Using one OpenVPN server for many Wave IPs has several issues. This makes sense for a number of reasons:

  1. The OpenVPN server is as close as possible in the network to the Wave IP. This reduces routing and bandwidth issues. If a single OpenVPN server handles Wave IPs at multiple locations, then all phone traffic will have to travel to the location of the OpenVPN server. This can mean additional traffic transiting the WAN.
  2. A 1:1 deployment means that each Wave IP can actively manage its OpenVPN server reducing management effort. Creating a VPN user results in immediate configuration of all setup on the server. 
  3. Multiple Wave IPs aren't dependent on a single point of failure.

Using multiple OpenVPN servers should result in a much lower TCO.