How to Connect to VPN in CI/CD Pipelines

VPN software facilitates the extension of private computer networks over the internet, enabling machines to communicate as if they were on the same network regardless of their geographical locations, with cryptography ensuring data privacy. The tutorial outlines the use of OpenVPN, an open-source VPN implementation, to connect Semaphore CI/CD pipelines with private networks, particularly beneficial for setups involving on-premise servers or hardware requiring direct internet access. OpenVPN offers several distributions, including the free Community Edition and paid versions with additional features, with the tutorial focusing on setting up the free edition. Key steps include preparing a client configuration file, generating client certificates with Easy RSA, and uploading these to Semaphore as secrets, ensuring secure data handling. The guide highlights handling parallel connections and configuring Semaphore pipelines to integrate with OpenVPN, thus enabling seamless and secure deployment processes across diverse network environments.