openvpn3

Start a new VPN session

$ openvpn3 session-start -c [path/to/config.conf]

$ openvpn3 sessions-list

$ openvpn3 session-manage -c [path/to/config.conf] -D

$ openvpn3 config-import -c [path/to/config.conf]

$ openvpn3 configs-list

openvpn3 command [options]

openvpn3 is the next-generation OpenVPN client for Linux, providing a D-Bus based architecture that allows non-root users to manage VPN connections. It separates the VPN configuration management from the session management, enabling better integration with desktop environments and system services.
The client supports importing and storing configurations persistently, managing multiple simultaneous VPN sessions, and provides granular access control through D-Bus policies. It is designed to integrate with NetworkManager and other Linux desktop components.

session-start -c config

Start a new VPN session using the specified configuration

Manage (disconnect) an active session

List all active VPN sessions

Import a VPN configuration file into the configuration manager

List all imported configurations

Manage imported configurations (rename, remove)

Display configuration details

Show session log output

Path to OpenVPN configuration file

Disconnect the session

Restart the session

Pause the session

Resume a paused session

Requires the openvpn3-linux package and associated D-Bus services. Not all OpenVPN 2.x configuration directives are supported. Configuration import stores credentials in the configuration manager; review access policies for sensitive environments.

Developed by OpenVPN Inc. as a modernized Linux client using the OpenVPN 3 Core library. Released to address limitations of the traditional OpenVPN 2.x client, particularly around privilege separation and desktop integration. The D-Bus architecture was introduced to allow unprivileged VPN management.

openvpn(8), nmcli(1), networkctl(1)