Why does SSH stop working after setting up a VPN?

I lost SSH access to my Brokkr server after setting up a VPN. What should I do?

Solution

This is a common issue when using VPNs like NordVPN, as they can change your iptables and disrupt SSH access. Follow these steps to resolve it:

1. Check your VPN configuration

• Is NordVPN configured to auto-connect on boot? If so, disabling auto-connect might prevent the issue.
• Which VPN protocol are you using? OpenVPN is known to cause this issue more frequently than other protocols. Try switching to UDP or TCP and see if the problem persists.

2. Restart your NordVPN client

• This can often restore SSH access without needing further steps.

3. Whitelist the SSH port in iptables

• This requires some technical knowledge, but it allows you to specifically allow SSH traffic through the VPN tunnel.
• You can find detailed instructions on how to do this in the resources section below.

4. Contact Support

If none of the above steps work, please contact Hydra Host support at [email protected]

Additional Resources

• Stack Exchange thread on OpenVPN SSH connectivity
• NordVPN Support

Important Tips

• Always back up your server data before making any significant configuration changes
• When using a VPN, be aware of potential security risks and take appropriate precautions

By following these steps, you should be able to restore SSH access to your Brokkr server after setting up a VPN.