Qubes OpenVPN using Network Manager

[maximilize]

I think Network Manager is really nice to use since the status of the connection is always visible on the taskbar. Also switching networks is very easy.

I just published my solution using Network Manager here: https://github.com/maximilize/qubes-openvpn-vm

Sorry to make an issue here about this case, but I think some people might be interested in.

[tasket]

Network Manager is covered by the Qubes vpn doc. However, importing ovpn files is usually not recommended because historically NM hasn't imported configs accurately (this has been my experience with all vpn services I've tried, although import has worked for some people with a minority of services). For this reason, a couple vpn services offer NM-format configs with an installer script, and many more services offer proprietary vpn client programs (which invoke OpenVPN) as a way to bypass NM's numerous vpn bugs.

The Qubes-vpn-support approach is to help people use vendor-supplied ovpn configs with OpenVPN directly, changing only a handful of parameters that are known create problems (mostly ensuring that disconnection and re-connection occur in a timely and predictable manner). Of course the failsafes are also important, although these are independent of the ovpn configs. A multi-connection GUI is probably in the cards this year as well.