To run an IKEv2 VPN with strongSwan, use a Linux host with a stable public DNS name, install the swanctl/VICI-based packages, create a trusted certificate authority and gateway certificate, define the connection in swanctl.conf, then enable forwarding, firewall rules and address pools. The certificate’s subjectAltName must exactly match the server name clients enter. After loading the configuration, verify both the IKE security association and the child traffic security association from each client.
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What you need before installing strongSwan
strongSwan is the VPN daemon; IKEv2 negotiates the encrypted tunnel and IPsec carries the traffic. This guide uses the current VICI control interface and swanctl. The older stroke interface, ipsec command and ipsec.conf/ipsec.secrets files are deprecated and are no longer built by default in current documentation.
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- A stable public IPv4 address, or working IPv6 reachability, and a DNS name such as
vpn.example.com. - UDP ports 500 and 4500 allowed through every upstream firewall or security group. Port 4500 is used for NAT traversal.
- A plan for the VPN address pool, internal routes and DNS servers.
- A certificate authority (CA), a gateway private key and a gateway certificate. Clients must trust the CA certificate.
Use a DNS name whenever possible. If users connect by IP address, that exact IP address must appear in the certificate’s subjectAltName. A certificate whose common name merely resembles the address is not sufficient.
Choose how clients will authenticate
Decide this before writing the connection because the remote section and required plugins depend on it.
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| Method | What the client has | Operational trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Server certificate plus EAP password | A username and password, commonly EAP-MSCHAPv2 | Broad support on Windows, Apple devices and Android; protect the credential store and rate-limit login attempts. |
| EAP-TLS | A client certificate and private key, in addition to the trusted CA | Strong machine or user authentication, but issuing, revoking and replacing client certificates takes more administration. |
| Certificate authentication | A client certificate signed by your CA | Suitable for managed devices; every device needs certificate enrollment and lifecycle handling. |
| RADIUS-backed EAP | Credentials validated by an existing RADIUS service | Centralizes identity and policy; install and configure the eap-radius plugin and account for RADIUS availability. |
The examples below show password EAP for general client coverage, then identify the changes for certificate clients. Do not enable an authentication method unless its strongSwan plugin is installed and configured for your distribution.
Install the current strongSwan components
Package names vary between Linux distributions and releases. Install the strongSwan daemon, swanctl, the PKI utility, and the plugin that implements your selected EAP method. On Debian-family systems, package names commonly include the following; confirm the exact names in your distribution’s package index:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install strongswan-swanctl strongswan-pki
libcharon-extra-pluginsFor EAP-MSCHAPv2, install the package that provides the EAP-MSCHAPv2 method; for RADIUS, install the package providing eap-radius. Some distributions combine these plugins in a single package, while others split them. Start the daemon using your distribution’s service manager and check its status before loading a connection.
sudo systemctl enable --now strongswan
sudo systemctl status strongswanIf your distribution names the service differently, use that service name rather than creating a second daemon instance. Keep the host patched and restrict administrative access independently of the VPN.
Create the CA and gateway certificate
The CA signs the gateway certificate and, when using certificate-based clients, the client certificates too. Keep the CA private key offline if your operating model allows it. The gateway private key should be readable only by root and the VPN service account.
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Generate a CA key and self-signed certificate
sudo install -d -m 700 /etc/swanctl/private /etc/swanctl/x509ca /etc/swanctl/x509
cd /etc/swanctl/private
sudo pki --gen --type rsa --size 4096 --outform pem > ca-key.pem
sudo chmod 600 ca-key.pem
sudo pki --self --ca --lifetime 3650
--in ca-key.pem --dn "CN=Example VPN CA" --outform pem
> /etc/swanctl/x509ca/ca-cert.pemThe ten-year lifetime in this example is an administrative choice, not a requirement. Choose a validity period that fits your renewal and revocation process.
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cd /etc/swanctl/private
sudo pki --gen --type rsa --size 3072 --outform pem > server-key.pem
sudo chmod 600 server-key.pem
sudo pki --issue --cacert /etc/swanctl/x509ca/ca-cert.pem
--cakey ca-key.pem
--dn "CN=vpn.example.com"
--san vpn.example.com
--flag serverAuth --lifetime 825 --outform pem
> /etc/swanctl/x509/server-cert.pem
sudo chmod 600 server-key.pemReplace vpn.example.com everywhere with the real name. The serverAuth extended-key-usage flag identifies the certificate for gateway authentication. The SAN is decisive: Apple clients require the server name to exactly match the value entered in their Server field, and Windows validation likewise depends on a matching SAN. If clients use an IP address, issue the certificate with that IP as a SAN and configure that same address as the server.
Copy ca-cert.pem to each client through a protected channel. Never distribute ca-key.pem or server-key.pem.
Issue client certificates for EAP-TLS or certificate authentication
For a certificate client, generate a separate key and certificate for every device or user. Give each certificate a unique identity and the client-authentication extended-key-usage value. Store the resulting private key in a device-protected credential store and revoke a certificate when its device is lost. The exact certificate packaging steps differ by client, so test import and private-key protection on each platform before enrolling a fleet.
Place material in the swanctl directory
The default layout separates private keys, CA certificates and gateway certificates:
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/etc/swanctl/
├── conf.d/ # optional connection fragments
├── private/server-key.pem
├── x509/server-cert.pem
└── x509ca/ca-cert.pemUse restrictive permissions on private, and verify ownership and mode after package upgrades. Keep configuration backups free of private keys unless they are encrypted and access-controlled.
Write swanctl.conf
Create /etc/swanctl/swanctl.conf. This template uses a server certificate, EAP-MSCHAPv2 for users, a virtual IPv4 pool and optional IPv6 support. Replace every example identity, subnet and DNS address.
connections {
ikev2-vpn {
version = 2
pools = vpn-pool
local {
auth = pubkey
certs = server-cert.pem
id = vpn.example.com
}
remote {
auth = eap-mschapv2
eap_id = %any
}
children {
net {
local_ts = 0.0.0.0/0, ::/0
remote_ts = dynamic
esp_proposals = aes256-sha256
}
}
}
}
pools {
vpn-pool {
addrs = 10.20.0.0/24
addrs = 2001:db8:20::/64
dns = 10.20.0.1
dns = 2001:db8:1::53
}
}The gateway id must be the DNS name contained in the gateway certificate SAN. remote_ts = dynamic permits the client’s assigned virtual address. The pools block supplies addresses and, where supported by the client, DNS servers.
Full tunnel versus split tunnel
The 0.0.0.0/0, ::/0 local traffic selectors request a full tunnel: client internet traffic enters the VPN. That requires forwarding and usually NAT to an internet-facing interface. To use split tunneling, replace them with only the networks that should traverse the VPN, for example:
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local_ts = 10.50.0.0/16, 192.168.40.0/24
remote_ts = dynamicSplit tunneling reduces VPN bandwidth and keeps unrelated traffic local, but clients will not use the VPN for destinations outside those selectors. Ensure the listed networks do not overlap the client’s local LAN.
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Using certificate-authenticated clients
For client certificates, change the remote authentication method to the certificate mode supported by your installed plugins and define the acceptable CA or identities. A typical pattern is:
remote {
auth = pubkey
cacerts = ca-cert.pem
id = %any
}Use the exact option names documented by the strongSwan version installed on your host, then test with one certificate before enrolling more devices. For RADIUS, retain the EAP method appropriate to the RADIUS plugin and add the plugin’s RADIUS server and shared-secret settings outside the connection snippet.
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Configure forwarding, routes, firewall and NAT
strongSwan negotiates encryption; it does not automatically make the Linux host route packets to your LAN or the internet. Enable forwarding and persist it through reboot:
sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
sudo sysctl -w net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding=1Add equivalent settings to your distribution’s persistent sysctl configuration. Permit inbound UDP 500 and 4500 on the public interface, IPsec traffic between the VPN interface/policy and the internal networks, and forwarding from the VPN pool to permitted destinations. If full-tunnel clients should reach the internet through this host, masquerade the VPN pool on the egress interface. If clients should reach an internal LAN, add return routes for the VPN pool on internal routers, or apply carefully scoped NAT when routing cannot be changed.
Firewall syntax differs substantially between nftables, firewalld and iptables. Implement the policy in the tool already used by the server rather than mixing rule sets. Confirm that an upstream cloud firewall, home router or carrier-grade NAT also permits UDP 500/4500. DNS delivery is a separate concern: the DNS address in the pool must be reachable through the selected traffic selectors and must answer queries from the VPN subnet.
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Load and inspect the configuration
- Check that the files exist in the expected directories and that the daemon can read the private key.
- Load the configuration with
swanctl:
sudo swanctl --load-all
sudo swanctl --list-conns
sudo swanctl --list-authoritiesIf a load operation reports an unknown keyword, compare the option with the documentation for the installed strongSwan release. A configuration accepted by one plugin set may fail when that plugin is absent.
- Watch daemon logs while making the first client connection. Use your distribution’s journal or log viewer and filter for IKE, authentication, certificate and CHILD_SA messages.
- After connecting, inspect live state:
sudo swanctl --list-sasA successful connection has an established IKE_SA and at least one established CHILD_SA. The child association should show the negotiated traffic selectors and the client’s virtual address. If the IKE_SA exists but no CHILD_SA does, investigate selectors, pool allocation and firewall policy.
Connect supported clients
Windows 7 and newer
Windows’ Agile VPN implementation supports IKEv2 and MOBIKE. Create a new VPN connection in Settings or the Network control panel, choose the built-in VPN provider, enter the exact gateway DNS name, select IKEv2, and choose the sign-in method matching the server. For EAP-MSCHAPv2, enter the user name and password and trust the CA certificate in the appropriate computer or user trusted-root store. For certificate authentication, import the client certificate with its private key and select certificate-based sign-in. The server name must match the gateway certificate SAN or validation will fail.
iPhone and iPad
In Settings, open General, VPN & Device Management, VPN, then Add VPN Configuration and choose IKEv2. Enter the gateway in Server and the same identity in Remote ID unless your certificate and policy intentionally use a different, matching identity. Choose user authentication for EAP credentials or certificate authentication for EAP-TLS, and install the CA certificate through a trusted management channel. The server value must exactly match the certificate SAN.
macOS
Open System Settings, VPN, Add VPN Configuration, and select IKEv2. Enter the gateway under Server Address, set the remote identity to the certificate identity, and select the configured user or certificate authentication. Import the CA into the system or login keychain as appropriate. Test with the same DNS name used in the certificate rather than an alternate alias.
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Android and NetworkManager
The strongSwan Android client can import a profile containing the gateway name, IKEv2 settings, authentication method and CA. Install the CA through the client’s certificate-import workflow and enter EAP credentials only in the protected profile store. On Linux desktops, NetworkManager’s strongSwan plugin exposes equivalent gateway, identity, certificate and EAP fields. Use the same selectors and pool assumptions as the server; a desktop profile requesting different traffic selectors can produce a CHILD_SA negotiation failure.
Troubleshoot the failures that occur most often
| Symptom | Likely cause | Checks and correction |
|---|---|---|
| No response from the gateway | UDP 500/4500 blocked, wrong public address or NAT path | Check DNS resolution, upstream firewall/security-group rules and the host firewall. Confirm packets reach the server before changing certificates. |
| “No trusted certificate” or identity mismatch | Client does not trust the issuing CA, or the SAN does not match the entered server | Install the correct CA certificate and connect with the exact SAN DNS name or IP. Do not rely on the common name alone. |
| Authentication rejected | Wrong EAP method, credentials, client certificate or missing plugin | Verify the remote method, plugin package and account. For EAP-TLS, verify the client certificate chain and client-authentication usage. |
| IKE_SA established, CHILD_SA fails | Traffic selectors or ESP proposals do not overlap | Compare client and server selectors, remove accidental LAN overlap and use a proposal supported by both peers. |
| Connected but no internet or LAN access | Forwarding, return routes, NAT or firewall policy missing | Check forwarding counters, route tables and NAT rules. Ensure internal routers know the VPN pool or apply a deliberate, scoped NAT rule. |
| Connected but DNS fails | Unreachable DNS server, blocked UDP/TCP 53 or incorrect pool DNS | Test the advertised resolver from the VPN subnet and verify that DNS traffic is included in the selected routes. |
| Works on one network but not another | NAT traversal or MOBIKE path change exposes filtering or MTU issues | Confirm UDP 4500 is permitted and inspect logs after roaming. Keep MOBIKE enabled on clients that support it. |
Change one variable at a time. Capture the exact daemon error and the negotiated identities before replacing a working certificate or broadening firewall access.
Security and maintenance checklist
- Keep the CA private key offline or in a tightly restricted signing environment.
- Use separate client certificates and identities; revoke a lost or retired device instead of sharing one certificate.
- Restrict permissions on all private keys and back up encrypted copies of required configuration.
- Limit the VPN pool and traffic selectors to networks users actually need.
- Apply host updates and verify after upgrades that the required VICI, EAP and PKI plugins are still installed.
- Monitor failed authentication, unusual connection volume and pool exhaustion.
- Renew the gateway certificate before expiry and distribute the replacement CA or certificate chain through a controlled process.
- Document whether each profile is full tunnel or split tunnel, which DNS servers it receives and which internal routes are allowed.
A strongSwan deployment is complete only when certificate validation, IKE negotiation, child selectors, address assignment, forwarding, DNS and return routing all work together. Validate each client platform separately, because a profile that succeeds on one operating system can still expose a certificate, EAP or selector mismatch on another.
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