OpenVPN vs. WireGuard: A Modern VPN Solution for DevOps Professionals
In the fast-paced world of DevOps, security and efficiency are top priorities, especially when it comes to maintaining private networks. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been the go-to solution for ensuring secure communications across the internet. For years, OpenVPN has been the industry standard. But now, a new player has entered the field: WireGuard. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between OpenVPN and WireGuard, then take a look at a demo of a proprietary VPN server product built on WireGuard.
The Evolution of VPN Technology: From OpenVPN to WireGuard
OpenVPN: A Legacy Solution with Deep Roots
OpenVPN has been a dominant player in the VPN space since its release in 2001. With a 23-year history, OpenVPN has proven to be a reliable and secure protocol. However, it has some downsides, particularly when it comes to performance and ease of use.
OpenVPN operates by creating a secure tunnel between two endpoints using SSL/TLS for encryption. While it is robust, the protocol is quite complex and requires considerable resources to run efficiently. Setting up and managing OpenVPN can be cumbersome, especially for DevOps teams who need to juggle multiple environments and configurations.
OpenVPN still relies on older protocols like RADIUS for authentication, and while you can integrate modern identity providers like OpenID Connect (OIDC) and SAML, doing so often requires third-party tools and custom setups. The configuration can also involve manual certificate management, which can become a headache for scaling teams.
WireGuard: The Newer, Faster, and Simpler Option
WireGuard, on the other hand, is the new kid on the block, having been introduced in recent years. What sets WireGuard apart from OpenVPN is its simplicity and efficiency. While OpenVPN relies on older, more complex cryptographic algorithms, WireGuard uses modern encryption that is both faster and more secure.
Unlike OpenVPN, WireGuard is integrated directly into the Linux kernel, meaning it operates at a lower level and with less overhead. This results in faster connection times and lower resource usage. One of the major benefits of WireGuard is its minimal codebase—about 10% the size of OpenVPN’s—which reduces the attack surface and makes it easier to maintain and audit for security vulnerabilities.
The beauty of WireGuard is in its simplicity. Rather than managing complicated certificates, WireGuard uses a simple key pair exchange, which dramatically reduces the administrative burden. This makes it an excellent option for DevOps professionals who need a lightweight, easy-to-configure VPN solution.
OpenVPN vs. WireGuard: Key Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into some of the key differences between OpenVPN and WireGuard:
1. Performance:
- OpenVPN: Known for its stability but can be slow due to the overhead associated with SSL/TLS encryption.
- WireGuard: Faster, with quicker connection times and less CPU usage, thanks to its kernel-level integration and efficient encryption algorithms.
2. Complexity:
- OpenVPN: More complex to configure, especially when integrating modern authentication protocols like OIDC or SAML. Requires manual certificate management.
- WireGuard: Simple and lightweight. No need for complex certificate management. Uses key pair authentication for secure connections.
3. Security:
- OpenVPN: Still secure and regularly updated, but its large codebase means more potential vulnerabilities.
- WireGuard: Smaller codebase, making it easier to audit and maintain. Uses modern encryption algorithms, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.
4. Use Case:
- OpenVPN: A good choice for legacy systems or environments where compatibility with a wide range of devices is required.
- WireGuard: Ideal for modern DevOps environments, offering simplicity, speed, and ease of use.
Demo: A Proprietary VPN Server Product Built on WireGuard
On a recent episode of The Cloud & DevOps Pod, we demoed a proprietary VPN server product built on WireGuard, designed to address some of the limitations they experienced with OpenVPN. Let’s take a closer look at the demo and how this product solves common VPN challenges. Key Features of the Proprietary VPN Server
1. OIDC Integration:
Unlike traditional VPN setups that require manual certificate management, this VPN product integrates with modern identity providers like Azure AD, OneLogin, and Okta via OIDC. This makes it easier to manage user access without dealing with the complexity of certificates.
2. User Management:
The VPN server allows for seamless onboarding and offboarding of users through its integration with identity providers. Users can download their VPN configuration files directly after authenticating via OIDC, and administrators can easily suspend or revoke access when necessary.
3. TLS Integration:
A key feature is the automatic integration with Let’s Encrypt for TLS certificates. This means that the VPN server can generate and manage HTTPS certificates without requiring manual intervention, making it much easier to maintain a secure setup.
4. Lightweight and Efficient:
The product runs on very small instances, such as ARM64 machines with minimal memory. This makes it an ideal solution for companies looking to save on cloud infrastructure costs without sacrificing performance.
5. Quick Connection Times:
One of the most impressive aspects of the demo was the quick connection time. Unlike OpenVPN, where connections could take several seconds to establish, the WireGuard-based server connected almost instantly. This speed is a significant benefit for DevOps teams that frequently switch between environments.
Live Demo of the Product
During the demo, we walked through the process of setting up the VPN server on a minimal instance, starting the necessary services, and connecting a client via WireGuard.
1. Starting the Services:
The hosts first started the root service that manages the WireGuard VPN interface and then started the REST API, which handles user authentication. They noted the benefits of running services as non-root users for enhanced security.
2. Generating Keys and Configurations:
With the VPN server running, users can authenticate via OIDC and download their VPN configuration files. The private keys are generated dynamically, ensuring that no sensitive data is stored on the server.
3. Connecting a Client:
Once authenticated, the host connected a client using the official WireGuard app. The connection was established almost instantly, with minimal latency, even when connecting from different geographic locations.
4. Security Considerations:
One notable feature is that the server does not store private keys, which adds an extra layer of security. Additionally, user access can be revoked in real-time by suspending or deleting their account in the identity provider.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right VPN Solution for Your DevOps Team
Both OpenVPN and WireGuard are viable VPN solutions, but WireGuard stands out as the superior choice for modern DevOps environments. Its simplicity, speed, and security make it an excellent option for teams looking to streamline their VPN setup without sacrificing performance.
Our proprietary VPN server product built on WireGuard, as demonstrated in the podcast, showcases how a modern VPN solution can dramatically simplify user management and improve connection times, all while maintaining robust security standards. For DevOps teams looking to reduce overhead and improve performance, WireGuard—and products based on it—offer a powerful alternative to traditional VPN solutions like OpenVPN.
