Chapter 7. Setting up a WireGuard VPN

1. WireGuard reads the destination IP from the packet and compares it to the list of allowed IP addresses in the local configuration. If the peer is not found, WireGuard drops the packet.
2. If the peer is valid, WireGuard encrypts the packet using the peer’s public key.
3. The sending host looks up the most recent Internet IP address of the host and sends the encrypted packet to it.

1. WireGuard decrypts the packet using the private key of the remote host.
2. WireGuard reads the internal source address from the packet and looks up whether the IP is configured in the list of allowed IP addresses in the settings for the peer on the local host. If the source IP is on the allowlist, WireGuard accepts the packet. If the IP address is not on the list, WireGuard drops the packet.

Procedure

1. Install the wireguard-tools package:

   # dnf install wireguard-tools

2. Create a private key and a corresponding public key for the host:

   # wg genkey | tee /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.private.key | wg pubkey > /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.public.key

   You will need the content of the key files, but not the files themselves. However, Red Hat recommends keeping the files in case that you need to remember the keys in future.

3. Set secure permissions on the key files:

   # chmod 600 /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.private.key /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.public.key

4. Display the private key:

   # cat /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.private.key
   YFAnE0psgIdiAF7XR4abxiwVRnlMfeltxu10s/c4JXg=

   You will need the private key to configure the WireGuard connection on the local host. Do not share the private key.

5. Display the public key:

   # cat /etc/wireguard/$HOSTNAME.public.key
   UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=

   You will need the public key to configure the WireGuard connection on the remote host.

Procedure

1. Add a NetworkManager WireGuard connection profile:

   # nmcli connection add type wireguard con-name server-wg0 ifname wg0 autoconnect no

   This command creates a profile named server-wg0 and assigns the virtual interface wg0 to it. To prevent the connection from starting automatically after you add it without finalizing the configuration, disable the autoconnect parameter.

2. Set the tunnel IPv4 address and subnet mask of the server:

   # nmcli connection modify server-wg0 ipv4.method manual ipv4.addresses 192.0.2.1/24

3. Set the tunnel IPv6 address and subnet mask of the server:

   # nmcli connection modify server-wg0 ipv6.method manual ipv6.addresses 2001:db8:1::1/32

4. Add the server’s private key to the connection profile:

   # nmcli connection modify server-wg0 wireguard.private-key "YFAnE0psgIdiAF7XR4abxiwVRnlMfeltxu10s/c4JXg="

5. Set the port for incoming WireGuard connections:

   # nmcli connection modify server-wg0 wireguard.listen-port 51820

   Always set a fixed port number on hosts that receive incoming WireGuard connections. If you do not set a port, WireGuard uses a random free port each time you activate the wg0 interface.

6. Add peer configurations for each client that you want to allow to communicate with this server. You must add these settings manually, because the nmcli utility does not support setting the corresponding connection properties.

   1. Edit the /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/server-wg0.nmconnection file, and append:

      [wireguard-peer.bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=]
      allowed-ips=192.0.2.2;2001:db8:1::2;

      • The [wireguard-peer.<public_key_of_the_client>] entry defines the peer section of the client, and the section name contains the public key of the client.

      • The allowed-ips parameter sets the tunnel IP addresses of the client that are allowed to send data to this server.

        Add a section for each client.

   2. Reload the server-wg0 connection profile:

      # nmcli connection load /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/server-wg0.nmconnection

7. Optional: Configure the connection to start automatically, enter:

   # nmcli connection modify server-wg0 autoconnect yes

8. Reactivate the server-wg0 connection:

   # nmcli connection up server-wg0

Verification

1. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 51820
   
   peer: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.2/32, 2001:db8:1::2/128

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

2. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   20: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.1/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 2001:db8:1::1/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::3ef:8863:1ce2:844/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Procedure

1. Start the nmtui application:

   # nmtui

2. Select Edit a connection, and press Enter.
3. Select Add, and press Enter.
4. Select the WireGuard connection type in the list, and press Enter.

5. In the Edit connection window:

   1. Enter the name of the connection and the virtual interface, such as wg0, that NetworkManager should assign to the connection.
   2. Enter the private key of the server.

   3. Set the listen port number, such as 51820, for incoming WireGuard connections.

      Always set a fixed port number on hosts that receive incoming WireGuard connections. If you do not set a port, WireGuard uses a random free port each time you activate the interface.

      

   4. Click Add next to the Peers pane:

      1. Enter the public key of the client.
      2. Set the Allowed IPs field to the tunnel IP addresses of the client that are allowed to send data to this server.

      3. Select OK, and press Enter.

         

   5. Select Show next to *IPv4 Configuration, and press Enter.

      1. Select the IPv4 configuration method Manual.
      2. Enter the tunnel IPv4 address and the subnet mask. Leave the Gateway field empty.

   6. Select Show next to IPv6 Configuration, and press Enter.

      1. Select the IPv6 configuration method Manual.
      2. Enter the tunnel IPv6 address and the subnet mask. Leave the Gateway field empty.

   7. Select OK, and press Enter

      
6. In the window with the list of connections, select Back, and press Enter.
7. In the NetworkManager TUI main window, select Quit, and press Enter.

Verification

1. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 51820
   
   peer: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.2/32, 2001:db8:1::2/128

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

2. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   20: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.1/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 _2001:db8:1::1/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::3ef:8863:1ce2:844/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Procedure

1. Select the Networking tab in the navigation on the left side of the screen.
2. Click Add VPN in the Interfaces section.
3. If the wireguard-tools and systemd-resolved packages are not already installed, the web console displays a corresponding notification. Click Install to install these packages.
4. Enter the name of the WireGuard device that you want to create.

5. Configure the key pair of this host:

   • If you want use the keys that the web console has created:

     1. Keep the pre-selected Generated option in the Private key area.
     2. Note the Public key value. You require this information when you configure the client.

   • If you want to use an existing private key:

     1. Select Paste existing key in the Private key area.
     2. Paste the private key into the text field. The web console automatically calculates the corresponding public key.

6. Set a listen port number, such as 51820, for incoming WireGuard connections.

   Always set a fixed port number on hosts that receive incoming WireGuard connections. If you do not set a port, WireGuard uses a random free port each time you activate the interface.

7. Set the tunnel IPv4 address and subnet mask of the server.

   To also set an IPv6 address, you must edit the connection after you have created it.

8. Add peer configurations for each client that you want to allow to communicate with this server:

   1. Click Add peer.
   2. Enter the public key of the client.
   3. Leave the Endpoint field empty.
   4. Set the Allowed IPs field to the tunnel IP addresses of the clients that are allowed to send data to this server.
   
9. Click Add to create the WireGuard connection.

10. If you want to also set a tunnel IPv6 address:

    1. Click on the WireGuard connection’s name in the Interfaces section.
    2. Click edit next to IPv6.
    3. Set the Addresses field to Manual, and enter the tunnel IPv6 address and prefix of the server.
    4. Click Save.

Verification

1. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 51820
   
   peer: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.2/32, 2001:db8:1::2/128

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

2. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   20: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWERUP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.1/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 2001:db8:1::1/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::3ef:8863:1ce2:844/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Procedure

1. Open the WireGuard port for incoming connections in the firewalld service:

   # firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=51820/udp --zone=public

2. If clients should route all traffic through the tunnel and use the WireGuard server as the default gateway, enable masquerading for the public zone:

   # firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-masquerade

3. Reload the firewalld rules.

   # firewall-cmd --reload

Procedure

1. Select the Networking tab in the navigation on the left side of the screen.
2. Click Edit rules and zones in the Firewall section.
3. Enter wireguard into the Filter services field.

4. Select the wireguard entry from the list.

   
5. Click Add services.

6. If clients should route all traffic through the tunnel and use the WireGuard server as the default gateway, enable masquerading for the public zone:

   # firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-masquerade
   # firewall-cmd --reload

   Note that you cannot enable masquerading in firewalld zones in the web console.

Verification

1. Select the Networking tab in the navigation on the left side of the screen.
2. Click Edit rules and zones in the Firewall section.
3. The list contains an entry for the wireguard service and displays the UDP port that you configured in the WireGuard connection profile.

4. To verify that masquerading is enabled in the firewalld public zone, enter:

   # firewall-cmd --list-all --zone=public
   public (active)
     ...
     ports: 51820/udp
     masquerade: yes
     ...

Procedure

1. Add a NetworkManager WireGuard connection profile:

   # nmcli connection add type wireguard con-name client-wg0 ifname wg0 autoconnect no

   This command creates a profile named client-wg0 and assigns the virtual interface wg0 to it. To prevent the connection from starting automatically after you add it without finalizing the configuration, disable the autoconnect parameter.

2. Optional: Configure NetworkManager so that it does not automatically start the client-wg connection:

   # nmcli connection modify client-wg0 autoconnect no

3. Set the tunnel IPv4 address and subnet mask of the client:

   # nmcli connection modify client-wg0 ipv4.method manual ipv4.addresses 192.0.2.2/24

4. Set the tunnel IPv6 address and subnet mask of the client:

   # nmcli connection modify client-wg0 ipv6.method manual ipv6.addresses 2001:db8:1::2/32

5. If you want to route all traffic through the tunnel, set the tunnel IP addresses of the server as the default gateway:

   # nmcli connection modify client-wg0 ipv4.gateway 192.0.2.1 ipv6.gateway 2001:db8:1::1

   Routing all traffic through the tunnel requires that you set, in a later step, the allowed-ips on the this client to 0.0.0.0/0;::/0.

   Note that routing all traffic through the tunnel can impact the connectivity to other hosts based on the server routing and firewall configuration.

6. Add the client’s private key to the connection profile:

   # nmcli connection modify client-wg0 wireguard.private-key "aPUcp5vHz8yMLrzk8SsDyYnV33IhE/k20e52iKJFV0A="

7. Add peer configurations for each server that you want to allow to communicate with this client. You must add these settings manually, because the nmcli utility does not support setting the corresponding connection properties.

   1. Edit the /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/client-wg0.nmconnection file, and append:

      [wireguard-peer.UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=]
      endpoint=server.example.com:51820
      allowed-ips=192.0.2.1;2001:db8:1::1;
      persistent-keepalive=20

      • The [wireguard-peer.<public_key_of_the_server>] entry defines the peer section of the server, and the section name has the public key of the server.
      • The endpoint parameter sets the hostname or IP address and the port of the server. The client uses this information to establish the connection.

      • The allowed-ips parameter sets a list of IP addresses that can send data to this client. For example, set the parameter to:

        • The tunnel IP addresses of the server to allow only the server to communicate with this client. The value in the example above configures this scenario.
        • 0.0.0.0/0;::/0; to allow any remote IPv4 and IPv6 address to communicate with this client. Use this setting to route all traffic through the tunnel and use the WireGuard server as default gateway.
      • The optional persistent-keepalive parameter defines an interval in seconds in which WireGuard sends a keep alive packet to the server. Set this parameter if you use the client in a network with network address translation (NAT) or if a firewall closes the UDP connection after some time of inactivity.

   2. Reload the client-wg0 connection profile:

      # nmcli connection load /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/client-wg0.nmconnection

8. Reactivate the client-wg0 connection:

   # nmcli connection up client-wg0

Verification

1. Ping the IP addresses of the server:

   # ping 192.0.2.1
   # ping6 2001:db8:1::1

2. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 51820
   
   peer: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     endpoint: server.example.com:51820
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.1/32, 2001:db8:1::1/128
     latest handshake: 1 minute, 41 seconds ago
     transfer: 824 B received, 1.01 KiB sent
     persistent keepalive: every 20 seconds

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

   Note that the output has only the latest handshake and transfer entries if you have already sent traffic through the VPN tunnel.

3. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   10: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.2/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 2001:db8:1::2/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::73d9:6f51:ea6f:863e/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Procedure

1. Start the nmtui application:

   # nmtui

2. Select Edit a connection, and press Enter.
3. Select Add, and press Enter.
4. Select the WireGuard connection type in the list, and press Enter.

5. In the Edit connection window:

   1. Enter the name of the connection and the virtual interface, such as wg0, that NetworkManager should assign to the connection.

   2. Enter the private key of the client.

      

   3. Click Add next to the Peers pane:

      1. Enter the public key of the server.

      2. Set the Allowed IPs field. For example, set it to:

         • The tunnel IP addresses of the server to allow only the server to communicate with this client.
         • 0.0.0.0/0,::/0 to allow any remote IPv4 and IPv6 address to communicate with this client. Use this setting to route all traffic through the tunnel and use the WireGuard server as default gateway.
      3. Enter the host name or IP address and port of the WireGuard server into the Endpoint field. Use the following format: <hostname_or_IP>:<port_number>
      4. Optional: If you use the client in a network with network address translation (NAT) or if a firewall closes the UDP connection after some time of inactivity, set a persistent keep alive interval in seconds. In this interval, the client sends a keepalive packet to the server.

      5. Select OK, and press Enter.

         

   4. Select Show next to IPv4 Configuration, and press Enter.

      1. Select the IPv4 configuration method Manual.
      2. Enter the tunnel IPv4 address and the subnet mask. Leave the Gateway field empty.

   5. Select Show next to IPv6 Configuration, and press Enter.

      1. Select the IPv6 configuration method Manual.
      2. Enter the tunnel IPv6 address and the subnet mask. Leave the Gateway field empty.
   6. Optional: Select Automatically connect.

   7. Select OK, and press Enter

      
6. In the window with the list of connections, select Back, and press Enter.
7. In the NetworkManager TUI main window, select Quit, and press Enter.

Verification

1. Ping the IP addresses of the server:

   # ping 192.0.2.1
   # ping6 2001:db8:1::1

2. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 51820
   
   peer: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     endpoint: server.example.com:51820_
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.1/32, 2001:db8:1::1/128
     latest handshake: 1 minute, 41 seconds ago
     transfer: 824 B received, 1.01 KiB sent
     persistent keepalive: every 20 seconds

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

   Note that the output contains only the latest handshake and transfer entries if you have already sent traffic through the VPN tunnel.

3. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   10: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.2/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 2001:db8:1::2/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::73d9:6f51:ea6f:863e/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Procedure

1. Select the Networking tab in the navigation on the left side of the screen.
2. Click Add VPN in the Interfaces section.
3. If the wireguard-tools and systemd-resolved packages are not already installed, the web console displays a corresponding notification. Click Install to install these packages.
4. Enter the name of the WireGuard device that you want to create.

5. Configure the key pair of this host:

   • If you want use the keys that the web console has created:

     1. Keep the pre-selected Generated option in the Private key area.
     2. Note the Public key value. You require this information when you configure the client.

   • If you want to use an existing private key:

     1. Select Paste existing key in the Private key area.
     2. Paste the private key into the text field. The web console automatically calculates the corresponding public key.
6. Preserve the 0 value in the Listen port field.

7. Set the tunnel IPv4 address and subnet mask of the client.

   To also set an IPv6 address, you must edit the connection after you have created it.

8. Add a peer configuration for the server that you want to allow to communicate with this client:

   1. Click Add peer.
   2. Enter the public key of the server.
   3. Set the Endpoint field to the hostname or IP address and the port of the server, for example server.example.com:51820. The client uses this information to establish the connection.

   4. Set the Allowed IPs field to the tunnel IP addresses of the clients that are allowed to send data to this server. For example, set the field to one of the following:

      • The tunnel IP addresses of the server to allow only the server to communicate with this client. The value in the screen capture below configures this scenario.
      • 0.0.0.0/0 to allow any remote IPv4 address to communicate with this client. Use this setting to route all traffic through the tunnel and use the WireGuard server as default gateway.
   
9. Click Add to create the WireGuard connection.

10. If you want to also set a tunnel IPv6 address:

    1. Click on the WireGuard connection’s name in the Interfaces section.
    2. Click Edit next to IPv6.
    3. Set the Addresses field to Manual, and enter the tunnel IPv6 address and prefix of the client.
    4. Click Save.

Verification

1. Ping the IP addresses of the server:

   # ping 192.0.2.1

   WireGuard establishes the connection when you try to send traffic through the tunnel.

2. Display the interface configuration of the wg0 device:

   # wg show wg0
   interface: wg0
     public key: bnwfQcC8/g2i4vvEqcRUM2e6Hi3Nskk6G9t4r26nFVM=
     private key: (hidden)
     listening port: 45513
   
   peer: UtjqCJ57DeAscYKRfp7cFGiQqdONRn69u249Fa4O6BE=
     endpoint: server.example.com:51820
     allowed ips: 192.0.2.1/32, 2001:db8:1::1/128
     latest handshake: 1 minute, 41 seconds ago
     transfer: 824 B received, 1.01 KiB sent
     persistent keepalive: every 20 seconds

   To display the private key in the output, use the WG_HIDE_KEYS=never wg show wg0 command.

   Note that the output has only the latest handshake and transfer entries if you have already sent traffic through the VPN tunnel.

3. Display the IP configuration of the wg0 device:

   # ip address show wg0
   10: wg0: <POINTOPOINT,NOARP,UP,LOWERUP> mtu 1420 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
       link/none
       inet 192.0.2.2/24 brd 192.0.2.255 scope global noprefixroute wg0
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 2001:db8:1::2/32 scope global noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
       inet6 fe80::73d9:6f51:ea6f:863e/64 scope link noprefixroute
          valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever