Astrill Application:OpenVPN Features: Difference between revisions

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'''DNS Options''' is one of the OpenVPN features that will give you options which DNS servers you want to use when connected to VPN. We always recommend using Astrill DNS for best performance and privacy protection.
'''DNS Options''' is one of the OpenVPN features that will give you options which DNS servers you want to use when connected to VPN. We always recommend using Astrill DNS for best performance and privacy protection.
[[File:Openvpn_dns-option.jpg]]
# Click on '''SETTINGS''' menu then choose '''DNS Options...'''.
# By default, it is set to '''Astrill DNS''' as recommended.
# Click the drop down arrow to show the other DNS servers available.
# You can try using '''Google DNS''' for example.
# Once '''Google DNS''' is selected, it will automatically set '''DNS 1''' and '''DNS 2''' to google dns.
# Click '''OK''' to save.


== OpenVPN Options ==
== OpenVPN Options ==

Revision as of 07:27, 9 June 2017

Site Filter

Site Filter is one of the OpenVPN features that will give you options which sites you want to go through VPN.


Openvpn site-filter.jpg


  1. Site Filter feature is under the Settings Menu.
  2. Once you click on the Site Filter feature, you will see it is set to "Tunnel all sites" mode as default.
  3. Site Filter modes, click on the drop down arrow button to show the Site Filter modes.


Tunnel all sites

This mode will allow all sites to go through VPN and is best for your privacy protection. This mode is more secure among other options since all sites are encrypted and protected.


Openvpn site-filter-tunnel all.jpg


  1. To choose Tunnel all sites mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Site Filter.
  2. By default it is set to Tunnel all sites mode.
  3. Click OK, now all sites will go through VPN even the local sites.

Tunnel only those sites

This mode will allow you to specify the only sites that you wish to tunnel through VPN. You will have to specify a list of IP addresses(one per line). You can use IP blocks in CIDR format as well, e.g. 12.13.14.0/24.


Openvpn tunnelonly.jpg


  1. To choose Tunnel only these sites mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Site Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Site filter modes.
  3. Choose Tunnel only these sites.
  4. Specify the list of IP addresses that you wish to tunnel through VPN (Shown IP from the image is just an example).
  5. Click OK to save.
  6. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Exclude these sites

This mode will allow you to specify the sites that you do not want to tunnel through VPN. You will have to specify a list of IP addresses(one per line as well). You can use IP blocks in CIDR format as well, e.g. 12.13.14.0/24.


Openvpn exclude-these.jpg


  1. To choose Exclude these sites mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Site Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Site filter modes.
  3. Choose Exclude these sites.
  4. Specify the list of IP addresses that you wish to exclude through VPN (Shown IP from the image is just an example).
  5. Click OK to save.
  6. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Only International sites

This mode will allow you to unlock geo-locked contents, for example streaming TV, and all local sites will load directly thus their speed will not be affected.


Openvpn only-international.jpg


  1. To choose Only international sites mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Site Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Site filter modes.
  3. Choose Only international sites.
  4. Click OK to save.
  5. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Unblock sites

If you are located in China, use this mode to tunnel only blocked sites through VPN. All other sites will go directly.


Openvpn unblock-sites.jpg


  1. To choose Tunnel only these sites mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Site Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Site filter modes.
  3. Choose Unblock sites.
  4. Specify the list of IP addresses that you wish to tunnel through VPN (Shown IP from the image is just an example).
  5. Click OK to save.
  6. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Application Filter

Application Filter is one of the OpenVPN features that will give you options which applications you want to go through VPN.


Openvpn app-filter.jpg


  1. Application Filter feature is under the Settings Menu.
  2. Once you click on the Application Filter feature, you will see it is set to "Tunnel all apps" mode as default.
  3. Application Filter modes, click on the drop down arrow button to show the Application Filter modes.



Tunnel all apps

This mode will allow all applications to go through VPN and is best for your privacy protection. This mode is more secure among other options since all applications are protected.


Tunnel-all-apps.jpg


  1. To choose Tunnel all apps mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Application Filter.
  2. By default it is set to Tunnel all apps mode.
  3. Click OK, now all applications will go through VPN.

Tunnel only these apps

This mode will allow you to specify the only application/s you wish to go through VPN.


Openvpn tunnel-only-apps2.jpg


  1. To choose Tunnel only these apps mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Application Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Application filter modes and then choose Tunnel only these apps.
  3. Click the Add or + button and select a program that you want to tunnel (Example: Skype).
  4. To remove from the list, highlight the app or choose the app and click the "x" button.
  5. Click OK to save.
  6. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Exclude these apps

Exclude these apps, this mode will allow you to exclude selected application/s to go through VPN.


Openvpn exclude-these-apps.jpg



  1. To choose Exclude these apps mode, go to SETTINGS menu then choose Application Filter.
  2. Click the drop down arrow to show the other Application filter modes.
  3. Choose Exclude these apps.
  4. Click the Add or + button and select a program that you want to exclude (Example: Skype).
  5. To remove from the list, highlight the app or choose the app and click the "x" button.
  6. Click OK to save.
  7. A message box will appear that you need to disconnect from the server, click OK. This message is shown if you're currently connected to a server, otherwise no such message will show.

Note :-

Application Filter doesn't support UDP protocol. So you need to use the program which support TCP or use Site Filter for filtering such programs.

Port Forward

This function forwards a port from VPN IP(external IP) to your computer. This is useful for Bittorent download programs.


Openvpn port-forwarding.jpg


  1. Click on SETTINGS menu then choose Port Forward.
  2. By default, Port Forward is not enabled.
  3. Tick the Enable Port Forwarding box to enable this feature.
  4. A specific port will be assigned to you automatically once enabled.
  5. Click OK to save changes.



Note :

Only starred servers from the servers list supports port forwarding and P2P applications.

DNS Options

DNS Options is one of the OpenVPN features that will give you options which DNS servers you want to use when connected to VPN. We always recommend using Astrill DNS for best performance and privacy protection.


Openvpn dns-option.jpg



  1. Click on SETTINGS menu then choose DNS Options....
  2. By default, it is set to Astrill DNS as recommended.
  3. Click the drop down arrow to show the other DNS servers available.
  4. You can try using Google DNS for example.
  5. Once Google DNS is selected, it will automatically set DNS 1 and DNS 2 to google dns.
  6. Click OK to save.

OpenVPN Options

This OpenVPN features will allow you to choose OpenVPN mode whether UDP or TCP mode and connection port for better speed and stability.


OpenVPN Options OpenVPN Options Default


OpenVPN modes Oo4.jpg


Oo5.jpg


  1. OpenVPN Options is under the Settings menu.
  2. By default, OpenVPN mode is set to Fast (UDP).
  3. By default, the Connection Port is set to 8292.
  4. By default, the MSS size value is set to 1400. MSS Size is only enabled in Fast (UDP) mode. If you have problem with connection speed, you can lower it's value to 1300 or 1200.
  5. By default, the Keep connection alive check box is unchecked. You can check this box if you want to keep the connection with VPN server alive. You can use this option only if you experience frequent disconnection.
  6. Click on the drop down arrow on Mode to show other OpenVPN modes. It has Fast (UDP) and Reliable (TCP).
  7. For reliability, you can choose Reliable (TCP) mode.
  8. Set the Connection Port to 443.
  9. You will notice that the MSS Size box will be disabled if you choose (Reliable) TCP mode.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Click OK, you have to disconnect from the server and then reconnect for the changes to take effect.