VyOS Basic Configuration

VyOS is an open-source network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN services. It is designed for use in virtualized environments, cloud platforms, and bare-metal hardware. VyOS is a community-driven project that originated from the Vyatta Core, which was discontinued after the acquisition of Vyatta by Brocade in 2013. As a response, the VyOS project was created to continue the development of a free and open-source network operating system.

Download:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to vyos.io.

2. Download the Images:

   • On the website, navigate to the "Download" section. VyOS offers free evaluation images for personal use and small-scale testing.

   • For more comprehensive access to the latest versions, you will need to subscribe to the project. However, older LTS (Long-Term Support) versions are available for free download.

3. Choose the Version:

   • Select the version of VyOS you want to download. The latest version is usually the most stable and feature-rich.

4. Select Installation Platform:

   • Choose the appropriate platform for your download (ISO, OVA, or other installation images).

5. Register an Account (Optional):

   • Depending on the version you want to download, you may need to register an account to access the downloads.

6. Start the Download:

   • Click on the download link for your chosen image and follow the instructions to install it on your preferred environment (bare-metal, virtual machine, etc.).

     
     

If you're just starting and want to test VyOS, I recommend downloading the available LTS version. For additional support or to contribute to the project, consider subscribing.

Key Features of VyOS:

• Routing: Supports dynamic routing protocols like BGP, OSPF, and RIP, as well as static routing.

• Firewall: Includes a stateful firewall with support for zone-based firewalls and policy-based routing.

• VPN: Offers various VPN solutions, including IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

• Network Address Translation (NAT): Provides robust NAT features for both source and destination address translation.

  
  

Basic Configuration of VyOS:

1. Installation: VyOS can be installed on various platforms, including virtual machines, cloud instances, and physical hardware. The installation process typically involves downloading the VyOS ISO, booting from it, and following the on-screen instructions.

2. Initial Setup:

   • Login: After installation, log in to VyOS using the default credentials (username: vyos, password: vyos).

   • Enter Configuration Mode: Use the command configure to enter the configuration mode.

   • Set Hostname: Set the system hostname using the command set system host-name <hostname>.

   • Configure Interfaces: Assign IP addresses to network interfaces using commands like set interfaces ethernet eth0 address 192.168.1.1/24.

   • Default Gateway: Configure the default gateway using set protocols static route 0.0.0.0/0 next-hop <gateway-ip>.

   • DNS Settings: Set DNS servers with set system name-server <dns-ip>.

3. Saving the Configuration: Once all configurations are done, use commit to apply the changes and save to make the changes persistent across reboots.

4. Testing Connectivity: Verify the configuration by pinging external hosts or using the show interfaces command to check the status of the interfaces.

   
   

Important Considerations:

• Backup Configuration: Regularly back up the configuration using the command save /config/config.boot.

• Security: Secure the system by changing the default passwords, disabling unused services, and regularly updating the system.

• Documentation: VyOS has extensive documentation and a supportive community that can be valuable resources for troubleshooting and advanced configurations.

  
  

VyOS is a powerful tool for network professionals looking for a flexible and open-source alternative for network management. Its capabilities make it suitable for both small-scale setups and large enterprise environments.