Troubleshooting • VPN failure - PrivateVPN post installation failure

Hardware: Raspberry Pi 5 8 GB
SD-card 250GB
OS: Raspberry Pi OS (fully updated)
The system is just being set up and is an almost new installation
VPN provider: PrivateVPN
My experience level: Complete beginner

The Issue
After installation (using CLI/terminal) the VPN app doesn’t show up on the desktop as it is supposed to (Desktop > Settings > Network) and I don’t know how to reach it in another way.
The installation process was completed. The apps (two, see below) is visible when searching for them (for example, using the CLI: ; or: ).

Short summary
Since I already have a subscription with Private VPN (I have been using it with my PC for several years without any issues) with ten possible different connections/clients, that's the app I intend to continue using also with my Raspberry Pi.

Private VPN:s installation guide for Linux/Debian (Network Manager UDP (Recommended)) is very simple:

1. (Step 1)
   Download and extract the OpenVPN configuration files
2. (Step 2 – 3 and 4)
   Open the terminal and enter:

   Code:

   $ sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome resolvconf

   Step 4. (Enter the password)
   Here occurs the first deviation from the normal procedure: I am not prompted to authenticate with a password, the installation process starts anyway:
   
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   
   ... etc., etc. until the end of the process (after, when promted, I have approved the completion of the installation with a "Y" for "Yes").
   
   It was unexpected, but since the installation process was finished without any other visible problems or deviations I thought it would be fine anyway. On the other hand, maybe this is where I made a misjudgment, because:
3. (Step 5) In the installation guide it says: “When the installation process is completed. Go to Settings > Network. Click + to add a VPN profile.”

Well, it’s here where the issue is visible: In the Settings on my desktop there isn’t even a “Network” showing up. And there is nowhere else (in the Settings) to add a VPN profile.
And it is also here that my VPN process completely stops. I didn’t even come to the import and selection of the configuration file (see step 1 above).

So, that’s it. That’s the issue. And I don’t know how to solve it - or how to proceed with the remaining part of the installation/configuration.

So, the question is simply – what do I do to solve the situation, and be able to actually start using the VPN?

(I have a complete copy of the entire installation process from the CLI if anyone is interested, as well as screenshots of the search results I did in the CLI of both the installed VPN apps (i.e. Network-manager-openvpn and Network-manager-openvpn-gnome)).

I look forward to all conceivable feedback, ideas and solution-oriented suggestions.

Statistics: Posted by ICIT — Sat Oct 19, 2024 6:33 pm — Replies 2 — Views 57

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