this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2024
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I have yet to successfully install the Private Internet Access client on Bazzite. It does a lot of system modification at runtime, which doesn't play nice with the immutable system.
There's definitely limitations like that one, so I'd say there's a solution for most, but not all cases. Hopefully, that will become a non-issue when
bootc
is fully ready.Can't you simply get the OpenVPN or Wireguard details from in PIA, and then put them into Gnome/KDE's built-in VPN app?
Like this: https://helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com/kb/articles/where-can-i-find-your-ovpn-files
Will be something similar for Wireguard.
Yes and no. WireGuard configs are still not something they offer, despite customers asking for the last several years. They have often said they would do it, but they have yet to deliver on that promise.
OVPN configurations are an option, but the main benefit of the client is the ability to change tunnel configurations on the fly. If there's something you want to change, such as connecting to a different endpoint, you have to go back to the website to configure that tunnel and generate the config.
So you basically get 40% of the service you pay for if you try to use PIA with an immutable distro like Bazzite (which is not the various distros' faults).
I'm not sure how it works with PIA, but on Proton I can export multiple configs, let's say 6 different ones with a combination of countries and other options.
Then I add them all into KDE and I can switch between them at will.
It's a slight extra cost of time at the start, but after that it's smooth and easy.
Their OVPN performance isn't as good as WG, so it's really just a backup solution in my mind.
But my main point is that there exist edge cases like that where "install it in a distrobox" isn't a panacea. You either have to learn
podman
and how to forward your network traffic through the container or learn how to pack your own flatpak/appimage/RPM.Private Internet Access is just a VPN?
I've had no issues installing the flatpak for ProtonVPN and using it.
Okay. There's no flatpak for PIA's client, so that doesn't help me, and I don't know how to create my own (not for lack of trying). Same deal with RPMs and Appimages.
Also, just FYI, the flatpak for ProtonVPN is unofficial, in case you weren't aware. Make sure to double check the source files.
Just install wireguard and download a wireguard config file for PIA
Doesn't exist. You'd think that after several years of customers asking, they'd have one.