Best way to set up a VPN server on M1 Macs (Monterey)

What is the current best way to set up a VPN server so I can tap in from remote and use my home connection as if I’m local from a device elsewhere…?

I’ve seen a ton of tutorials, but all seem outdated. Is there a current easy way to do it with M1 Macs on Monterey…?

I would use WireGuard https://docs.oakhost.net/tutorials/wireguard-macos-server-vpn/

Get a firewall to do it is the easiest answer.

Looking forward to the answer to this.

The learning curve on this area of tech expertise is very steep.

I am my own IT for my small business, I have a Mac mini M1 running as a share server. It was a nightmare managing permissions - techtool 6 and advice from this subreddit finally saved me.

I’d love to be able to access the server over the internet, but just tackling the permissions issues I suffered when switching from “Sierra” to Big Sur has taken all my enthusiasm and energy.

I have a Mac mini 2012 working as a Server - but have virtual box with a centOS 8 running OpenVPN.
If you manage to get VB installed on Monterey, then you might be good.

If doing this at the firewall isn’t practical for you, something like PiVPN might be good for you. You’d get a RaspberryPi, forward the appropriate port on your router and then run the PiVPN script and it will set up a VPN server for you. I believe it supports both OpenVPN and Wireguard these days.

Why not run vpn software from your Mac at home and remote into it with Screens or Chrome Remote Desktop? Why the desire to home bake it all? When you remote in the Mac is still using your home network.

Not sure if the best way, but IMO the simplest:

https://www.cutedgesystems.com/software/OpenVPNEnablerForMonterey/

Worked for me on Mac mini M1 running Monterey.

It’s actually much better to setup your router as a VPN server, then you can connect to it and then be on your local, private network.

There may be some other Mac way to do this but I can’t believe it’d be better than a good, inexpensive router such as Fortinet or PFSense

That says it’s a VPN client… I want to run a VPN server so I can tap in remotely… (I have a few places that won’t let me login from other IP addresses so I need my home IP address to show if I’m on to go…)

Edit: I should scroll down one page before commenting. =) I stand corrected. It mentions the server below. Thank you!

If my internal network is in the 10.0.0.1 range, do I need to have a separate network or do I tap into this…? I don’t want to have any IP address conflicts… Thanks!

+1 we dropped in a Ubiquiti Security Gateway (cheap, second hand, few years old) and it runs our VPN no stress.

Many other simpler and cheaper options.

This is what I do. Can confirm the wireguard client works in Monterey.

I did this for Mojave and Catalina :frowning:
Just cannot get it to work w M1 MacMini Monterey :frowning:
r/darrarski did you tweak your macs nat?

True, a router would be better, but I lack that equipment at the moment to do it properly.

I don’t think I tweaked anything, besides just following the instructions. I have a pretty simple setup. NAT with a basic router that is a gateway to the internet. I might set up some port forwarding though. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the details.

Unless your Mac is connected directly to the internet and your router has the correct ports forwarded to it, I think you’re outta luck

The internal network is in the 10.0.0.2-255 range internally, with the gateway being 10.0.0.1. So my subnet is 10.0.0.0/24 then?

The port forward feature is currently not allowing me to add new ports at Comcast, but I can set up the DMZ (bad security practice, I know, but at least I can get to the VPN if everything else is set up correctly while I wait for them to fix port forwards or get my own router.)

It is wired directly in with ethernet.

Dude, save your shekels and buy an inexpensive router that does this gracefully. What you’re trying to do is pretty mickey mouse IMO