- NordVPN Unveils Fully Customizable VPN Package for OpenWrt Users
- Users can now easily deploy NordVPN across entire networks
- The move reinforces NordVPN’s commitment to transparency
NordVPN has doubled down on its commitment to the tech community, recently unveiling an open-source, headless Linux package for OpenWrt routers.
Available this month, the NordVPN Lite package makes it easy to set up VPN directly on a wide range of routers, making it easy for OpenWrt users to benefit from NordVPN protection as part of their tailored, personalized networking approach.
With this move, the undisputed best VPN provider solidifies its commitment to open source, reinforcing its philosophy of promoting transparency and trust within the community, in line with its previous open source initiatives for Linux.
What is OpenWrt?
OpenWrt is an open source Linux-based operating system for hardware routers. It provides complete control over router functions, allowing users to install custom features that go far beyond the limitations of a router’s default software.
Many operating system solutions that come pre-installed on routers do not take full advantage of the available hardware, limited by the use cases defined by their manufacturers.
Using OpenWrt, users turn their routers into what enthusiasts call “mini-computers” capable of running many services that standard firmware rarely includes, with the latest NordVPN package adding to the list.
Transparent VPN to free your internal system administrator
While setting up NordVPN has been possible on routers for some time, the new version makes setup super easy by introducing a headless package that runs in the command line, providing optimized access to their network via a simple JSON file for complete setup.
Marjus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, explains as an example: “The package uses the NordVPN API to automatically identify optimal connections to specific countries and cities, which is a much more reliable approach than manually selecting individual servers.”
Although a GUI is already in the works, the initial release aims to prioritize efficiency for tech-savvy users. “Command line tools allow rapid development without the need for a graphical interface, familiar to experienced users,” explains Briedis. “We are also developing native web UI support to improve accessibility and plan to add the package to the official OpenWrt repository soon.”
He highlights that OpenWrt’s package-based architecture allows for modular installation and seamless updates, allowing users to install the VPN as a standalone package without flashing the entire firmware.
“Such an approach makes VPN integration cleaner and more intuitive, similar to the Linux user experience on desktop environments,” he explains.
Built on Linux, designed for everyone
Although the Linux community is an obvious target group, the solution is not only aimed at Linux VPN users. “Anyone who wants to install a VPN on their router, regardless of the operating system they use, can benefit from it,” Briedis points out.
It’s important to note that NordVPN is not making the entire VPN open source: the core of the product will continue to be proprietary, with the VPN’s back-end infrastructure, logic, and authentication systems remaining closed.
However, the move still provides significant benefits to anyone for whom customization is essential, opening up the code to technical wizards to support development and building confidence in the company’s approach, while allowing the average user to easily benefit from these upgrades with minimal technical knowledge.
This release is yet another facet of NordVPN’s broader support for open source: the VPN provider recently shared the codebase of its graphical user interface (GUI) application – a move that saw huge adoption of the Linux version of its application.
If the open source community was hoping for an early Christmas present, this five-minute command-line installation of a robust, transparent, network-wide VPN might just have gotten its wish.
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