VPN Setup Instructions

Get connected in minutes. We auto-detected your device below.

Server: vpn.westnet.ca Username: your-username L2TP Key: WestNet Protocols: OpenVPN (recommended) IKEv2 PPTP/L2TP (legacy)
Download OpenVPN Profile (.ovpn) Customer Portal / My Account Call Support 403-774-7470

OpenVPN works on all modern phones (iOS 12+, Android 6+). Use the official OpenVPN Connect app.

OpenVPN — Recommended for almost everyone (phones, tablets, computers)

Why: Works reliably on modern Android/iOS (no more "no PPTP" errors), strong encryption, great for Netflix/gaming too.

  1. Install the free OpenVPN Connect app (App Store / Google Play / openvpn.net)
  2. Click the download link above (or from your email / portal) to get your-username.ovpn
  3. Open the .ovpn file in the app — it will import server + your username.
  4. When prompted, enter your VPN username and password.
  5. Connect! (Use TCP 443 version of the profile if you are on strict networks/airport WiFi.)

Profile auto-generated at signup with your current credentials. Re-download after password change.

If the app ever asks for a certificate or says "missing external certificate", just re-download your profile above and re-import it. Your account signs in with username and password only.

Prefer your device's built-in VPN? The tabs below cover IKEv2 (a solid native alternative) plus legacy L2TP and PPTP. For phones and for streaming, OpenVPN above is still the one we recommend.

VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Username
your-username
L2TP Pre-Shared Key
WestNet
Protocols
IKEv2 (recommended) / L2TP / PPTP

Windows — IKEv2 Setup (Recommended)

IKEv2 is the fastest and most secure protocol. Built into Windows 10/11.

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Click Add a VPN connection
  3. VPN Provider: Windows (built-in)
  4. Connection name: WestNet IKEv2
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. VPN type: IKEv2
  7. Type of sign-in info: Username and password
  8. Username: your-username
  9. Password: your VPN password
  10. Click Save then Connect

Windows — PPTP Setup

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Click Add a VPN connection
  3. VPN Provider: Windows (built-in)
  4. Connection name: WestNet PPTP
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. VPN type: PPTP
  7. Username: your-username
  8. Password: your VPN password
  9. Click Save then Connect

Windows — L2TP Setup

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Click Add a VPN connection
  3. VPN Provider: Windows (built-in)
  4. Connection name: WestNet L2TP
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. VPN type: L2TP/IPsec with pre-shared key
  7. Pre-shared key: WestNet
  8. Username: your-username
  9. Password: your VPN password
  10. Click Save then Connect

Windows 10/11 VPN Settings

Windows 7 VPN Setup

VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Username
your-username
L2TP Shared Secret
WestNet
One-Click Install
Download .mobileconfig

macOS — IKEv2 Setup (Recommended)

IKEv2 is the fastest and most secure option on macOS. Built-in since macOS 10.11+.

  1. Open System Settings → VPN → Add VPN Configuration → IKEv2
  2. Display Name: WestNet IKEv2
  3. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  4. Remote ID: vpn.westnet.ca
  5. Local ID: leave blank
  6. Authentication: Username
  7. Username: your-username
  8. Password: your VPN password
  9. Click Create then toggle the VPN on

macOS — L2TP Setup

Alternative method. macOS dropped built-in PPTP in macOS Sierra and later.

  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences) → Network
  2. Click + to add a new interface
  3. Interface: VPN  |  VPN Type: L2TP over IPsec
  4. Service Name: WestNet VPN
  5. Server Address: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. Account Name: your-username
  7. Click Authentication Settings:
    • Password: your VPN password
    • Shared Secret: WestNet
  8. Click OK → Apply → Connect

Alternative: One-Click Profile Install

Download the .mobileconfig file to auto-configure your Mac in one click — no manual setup required.

Download macOS VPN Profile
VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Account
your-username
L2TP Secret
WestNet
One-Tap Install
Install VPN Profile

Recommended: One-Tap Install

The fastest way to set up VPN on your iPhone or iPad. Downloads a pre-configured profile — just tap Install.

Download iOS VPN Profile

After downloading, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management to install.

iOS — IKEv2 Setup (Recommended Manual Method)

IKEv2 is the fastest and most reliable protocol on iOS. Built-in since iOS 9+.

  1. Open Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → VPN
  2. Tap Add VPN Configuration
  3. Type: IKEv2
  4. Description: WestNet IKEv2
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. Remote ID: vpn.westnet.ca
  7. Local ID: leave blank
  8. Authentication: Username
  9. Username: your-username
  10. Password: your VPN password
  11. Tap Done → toggle VPN On

iOS — Manual L2TP Setup

Alternative method:

  1. Open Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → VPN
  2. Tap Add VPN Configuration
  3. Type: L2TP
  4. Description: WestNet VPN
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. Account: your-username
  7. Password: your VPN password
  8. Secret: WestNet
  9. Tap Done → toggle VPN On

iOS — PPTP Setup (Older iOS)

PPTP was removed from iOS 10+. For older devices only:

  1. Settings → General → VPN → Add VPN Configuration
  2. Type: PPTP
  3. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  4. Account: your-username
  5. Enter password → Done → toggle VPN On
VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Username
your-username
L2TP Pre-Shared Key
WestNet
Encryption
MPPE-128 / AES-256

Android — IKEv2 Setup (Recommended)

Android 11+ has built-in IKEv2. For older versions, install the free strongSwan VPN Client from the Play Store.

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Tap + to add a VPN profile
  3. Name: WestNet IKEv2
  4. Type: IKEv2/IPSec MSCHAPv2
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. Username: your-username
  7. Password: your VPN password
  8. Tap Save → Connect

Older Android: install strongSwan VPN Client, add profile with server vpn.westnet.ca, select IKEv2 EAP (Username/Password).

Android — PPTP Setup

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Tap + to add a VPN profile
  3. Name: WestNet PPTP
  4. Type: PPTP
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. Username: your-username
  7. Password: your VPN password
  8. Tap Save → Connect

Android — L2TP Setup

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
  2. Tap + to add a VPN profile
  3. Name: WestNet L2TP
  4. Type: L2TP/IPSec PSK
  5. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  6. IPSec pre-shared key: WestNet
  7. Username: your-username
  8. Password: your VPN password
  9. Tap Save → Connect

Android VPN Setup Walkthrough

VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Username
your-username
L2TP Pre-Shared Key
WestNet
Gateway
vpn.westnet.ca

Linux — IKEv2 (Recommended)

  1. Install the strongSwan plugin: apt-get install network-manager-strongswan
  2. Open Network Connections → Add → VPN (IPsec/IKEv2)
  3. Gateway: vpn.westnet.ca
  4. Authentication: EAP (Username/Password)
  5. Username: your-username
  6. Password: your VPN password
  7. Save → Connect

Command line: apt-get install strongswan libcharon-extra-plugins then configure /etc/ipsec.conf

Linux — PPTP (Network Manager)

  1. Install the PPTP plugin: apt-get install network-manager-pptp
  2. Open Network Connections → Add → VPN (PPTP)
  3. Gateway: vpn.westnet.ca
  4. Username: your-username
  5. Password: your VPN password
  6. Click Advanced → Enable MPPE encryption
  7. Save → Connect

Linux — L2TP (Network Manager)

  1. Install the L2TP plugin: apt-get install network-manager-l2tp
  2. Open Network Connections → Add → VPN (L2TP)
  3. Gateway: vpn.westnet.ca
  4. IPsec Settings: Enable → Pre-Shared Key = WestNet
  5. Username: your-username
  6. Password: your VPN password
  7. Save → Connect

Linux — Command Line (pptpsetup)

  1. Install PPTP client: apt-get install pptp-linux
  2. Create tunnel: pptpsetup --create westnet --server vpn.westnet.ca --username your-username --password YOUR_PASS --encrypt
  3. Connect: pon westnet
  4. Disconnect: poff westnet
VPN Server
vpn.westnet.ca
Username
your-username
L2TP Pre-Shared Key
WestNet
Protocols
IKEv2 / L2TP/IPsec / PPTP

Router — VPN Client Setup

Most DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWrt, Asus, and TP-Link routers support PPTP or L2TP client connections.

  1. Log in to your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1)
  2. Navigate to VPN or WAN client settings
  3. VPN Type: PPTP or L2TP/IPsec
  4. Server: vpn.westnet.ca
  5. Username: your-username
  6. Password: your VPN password
  7. For L2TP, set Pre-Shared Key: WestNet
  8. Save and reboot if required

Connecting at the router level protects all devices on your network without individual setup.

Troubleshooting — quick fixes

OpenVPN Connect asks for a certificate, or says "Missing External Certificate"

Your account uses a username and password, not a certificate. Re-download your latest profile with the button at the top of this page (it already contains the setting that turns that prompt off), delete the old profile in the app, and import the fresh one.

"AUTH_FAILED" or your login is rejected

Username and password are case-sensitive. Use exactly what is in your welcome email or the Customer Portal. If you changed your password, re-download the profile afterward. Still stuck, reset it in the portal.

It will not connect on hotel, airport, cafe or office WiFi

Those networks often block VPN ports. Use the TCP 443 version of the profile (choose the 443 / TCP profile from the download link at the top). It runs over the same port as normal secure websites and gets through almost any firewall.

Connected, but no internet or pages will not load

Toggle the VPN off and on once. If it continues, disconnect, fully close the app, then reopen and reconnect. On phones, make sure a battery saver is not shutting the app down in the background.

My old phone used PPTP and it stopped working

Apple removed PPTP in iOS 10 and modern Android dropped it too. Switch to OpenVPN (top of the page). It is more secure and works on every current device.

Still need a hand? Email vpn@westnet.ca or call 403-774-7470 and we will get you connected.

Need help? Email vpn@westnet.ca or call 403-774-7470

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