How to Use NordVPN on a QNAP NAS

Last modified date: 2022-07-19

This tutorial explains how to use NordVPN on your QNAP NAS using OpenVPN. This tutorial is also available on the NordVPN website.

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a network architecture used to enable private and encrypted communication between two endpoints over a public network. Sending data over a VPN allows the devices to act as if they were directly connected to a private network, and reduces the changes of data being intercepted.

What is a VPN service provider?

VPN service providers are VPN servers publicly established by third-party companies to provide VPN services that can connect to the public internet. Connections routed through a VPN service provider will appear to originate from the VPN server location rather than the NAS location. For example, a NAS located in Taipei might route all connections through a VPN server located in New York. Any connections routed through the VPN would appear to originate from New York.

NAS admins can use the QVPN Client to open connections to a remote VPN service provider, making data access more secure without geographical restrictions. Additionally, the NAS can use the VPN connection as the default gateway, redirecting all outgoing network traffic through the VPN service provider.

The QVPN Service can integrate with many popular OpenVPN services to provide more VPN connection options to secure virtual private networks. Refer to the specific VPN service provider documentation for details.

Note:

The QVPN service currently supports OpenVPN connections between QNAP devices configured with an OpenVPN server or client.

Downloading NordVPN Server Information

The first step is to download an OpenVPN configuration file. These files are used to configure QVPN to access the NordVPN server that best meets your needs.

Go to the NordVPN Server Recommendation tool.
Under Adjust server preferences, specify a country.

The country display updates.
Click Show available protocols.

A protocol list opens.
Identify the OpenVPN protocol that matches your needs.
Click Download Config.

NordVPN downloads the OpenVPN configuration file to your computer.

Installing QVPN

Log on to QTS as an administrator.
Open App Center, and then click .

A search box appears.
Enter QVPN.

The QVPN application appears in the search results.
Click Install.

The installation window appears.
Select a volume to install QVPN.
Click OK.

QTS installs the application.

Creating an OpenVPN Connection

The next step is to configure QVPN using the file you downloaded earlier.

Open QVPN Service.
Go to VPN Client > VPN Connection Profiles.
Click Add.
Select OpenVPN.

A File Explorer window opens.
Locate the OpenVPN configuration file on your device.
Click Open.

Configure the VPN connection settings.

Setting	User Action
Profile Name	Specify a name to help identify this profile.
Username	Specify the username to access the VPN server.
Password	Specify the password to access the VPN server.
Specify the subnet mask	Specify the subnet mask.

Optional: Select Reconnect when the VPN connection is lost.
Click Create.

Connecting to the VPN

The final step is to connect to the VPN from the QNAP device.

Open QVPN Service.
Select the VPN profile you created previously.
Click Use VPN as NAS Default Gateway.

The Use VPN as NAS Default Gateway window opens.
Click
Optional: Enable a Backup VPN.
1. Select a backup VPN profile.
2. Specify a delay.
Optional: Select Allow other network devices in the same subnet to connect to the VPN through the NAS.
Click Apply.