IKEv2 on Linux

Use strongSwan with NetworkManager to connect Ubuntu, Debian and similar distributions over IKEv2.

1. Get your IKEv2 config

   Sign in at realvpn.io, open the Account menu and choose Manual VPN setup — or go straight to realvpn.io/settings.

   Select IKEv2, choose a location close to you and press Generate config. You’ll get a server address, login and password.

   

   

   Device: choose New manual device the first time. Setting up the same device again? Pick it from the list to reuse its credentials instead of creating a new one.

2. Install the strongSwan plugin

   Terminal

   $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install network-manager-strongswan libcharon-extra-plugins libstrongswan-extra-plugins # Fedora: sudo dnf install NetworkManager-strongswan-gnome

   Log out and back in (or restart NetworkManager) so the new VPN type appears.

3. Add the connection

   Open Settings → Network, click + next to VPN and choose IPsec/IKEv2 (strongswan).

   Add VPN — IPsec/IKEv2 (strongswan)

   NameRealVPN

   Addressde-fra.realvpn.space

   Certificate(none — use system CAs)

   AuthenticationEAP (Username/Password)

   Usernamerv-8f3k2m9q…

   Password••••••••

   Request an inner IP address

4. Connect

   Switch the RealVPN toggle on in the network menu. Check with curl -s https://api.ipify.org.