SSH to Wireguard server while router running Wireguard client VPN

SSH to Wireguard server while router running Wireguard client VPN

If you are a tech-savvy user who likes to tinker with networking and security, you may have come across the terms SSH and Wireguard. SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol used to securely connect to remote servers, while Wireguard is a modern VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology known for its simplicity and high performance.

In this article, we will guide you on how to SSH into a server that has a Wireguard VPN running on it, while your router is also connected to a Wireguard VPN as a client. This scenario can be a bit tricky to set up, but with our step-by-step instructions, even an entry-level user can accomplish it.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• A server with Wireguard VPN installed and running
• A router capable of running Wireguard VPN as a client
• Basic knowledge of SSH and networking concepts

Step 1: Configure the Wireguard VPN on your router

The first step is to configure your router to connect to the Wireguard VPN as a client. This process may vary depending on your router's firmware, but the general steps are as follows:

1. Access your router's administration interface
2. Locate the VPN settings or Wireguard settings
3. Create a new Wireguard client profile
4. Enter the server's public key, IP address, and port
5. Save the settings and activate the VPN connection

Once your router is connected to the Wireguard VPN, all the traffic from your local network will be routed through the VPN tunnel.

Step 2: Configure port forwarding on your router

In order to SSH into your Wireguard server, you need to set up port forwarding on your router. Port forwarding allows incoming connections from the internet to be forwarded to a specific device on your local network.

1. Access your router's administration interface
2. Locate the port forwarding settings
3. Create a new port forwarding rule
4. Specify the external port (e.g., 22 for SSH) and the internal IP address of your Wireguard server
5. Save the settings

Now, any incoming SSH connection to your router's public IP address on port 22 will be forwarded to your Wireguard server.

Step 3: Configure SSH on your Wireguard server

To allow SSH connections to your Wireguard server, you need to configure the SSH server software on the server itself.

1. Access your Wireguard server via SSH or physical access
2. Edit the SSH server configuration file (usually located at /etc/ssh/sshd_config)
3. Find the line that starts with #Port 22 and remove the # symbol
4. Save the file and restart the SSH server

Now, the SSH server on your Wireguard server will listen on the default SSH port 22.

Step 4: SSH into your Wireguard server

Now that everything is set up, you can SSH into your Wireguard server from any external network. Here's how:

1. Open your favorite SSH client (such as PuTTY on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux)
2. Enter the public IP address of your router
3. Specify the SSH port (default is 22)
4. Provide your SSH credentials (username and password or private key)
5. Hit connect and you should be logged into your Wireguard server

That's it! You have successfully SSHed into your Wireguard server while your router is running Wireguard VPN as a client.

Remember to always keep your server and router updated with the latest security patches and follow best practices for securing SSH access.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained how to SSH into a Wireguard server while your router is connected to a Wireguard VPN as a client. By following the step-by-step instructions, even an entry-level user can achieve this setup. Now you can securely access your Wireguard server from anywhere in the world!

Explore more articles on networking, VPNs, and Wireguard to enhance your tech support knowledge and troubleshooting skills.