Get started

Ovira is a web panel for running VPN servers. The panel stores your clients, plans and settings. The servers that carry the traffic are called nodes, and one server can be both the panel and a node. This section takes you from an empty Linux server to a client that is connected.

What you need

• A server running Ubuntu 22.04 or newer (22.04, 24.04, 26.04), on amd64 or arm64, with systemd.
• Root access, and a public IPv4 address.
• Outbound HTTPS from the server, so the installer can download Ovira and, later, the panel can check for updates.
• A TCP port for the panel (the installer offers 2053), and the ports of the inbounds you create later. The installer opens its own ports in ufw or firewalld when one of them is active. A firewall at your hosting provider is yours to open.
• Optional: a domain whose A record points at the server. Without one the panel uses the server's IP address for HTTPS.

A node is a second server that the panel controls. You do not need one to start, because the panel's own server can run inbounds.

The order of the first steps

1. Install the panel. One command, a few questions, and a printed address and password.
2. Sign in for the first time. Check the address, turn on two-factor sign-in.
3. Set up HTTPS if you skipped it or the certificate failed.
4. Add a node when you want more servers, or keep this server as a node.
5. Create your first client. An inbound, a client, a link, a working connection.

The remaining pages cover updating, moving the panel to a new server and removing Ovira.

Related pages

• Using the panel describes every screen once the panel is running.
• How Ovira works explains the parts and how they talk to each other.
• Choosing a protocol helps you decide between OpenVPN, WireGuard and OpenConnect.