A full-featured SSL/TLS-based VPN technology
The OpenVPN open source community project is a full-featured open source SSL/TLS VPN technology that accommodates a wide range of configurations and authentication models. Starting with the fundamental premise that complexity is the enemy of security, OpenVPN offers a lightweight alternative to other VPN technologies.
The security model is based on SSL/TLS, the industry standard for secure communications over the internet. It implements OSI layer 2 or 3 secure network extension using the SSL/TLS protocol, supports flexible client authentication methods based on certificates, smart cards, and/or 2-factor authentication.
Due to the continuous research of higher performance, it was extended with kernel acceleration on a number of platforms. The idea is to keep the fast path (the data channel) in kernelspace and thus eliminate any overhead brought by the userspace processing. This solution is called DCO: Data Channel Offload.
Through the FOSS Sustainability Fund, OpenVPN open source community project will focus on growing its core contributor base, improving documentation and plans, and ensuring core infrastructure is community-owned.
