Why these VPN clients suit Linux From Scratch

Linux From Scratch (LFS) appeals to power users who compile every package from source, with no built-in package manager and absolute control over init systems (sysvinit or systemd) and dependencies. Typical desktop environments (Xfce, KDE Plasma, LXQt, or a tiling WM) are also hand-built. That level of customisation demands VPN software that:

• Is distributed as source tarballs or a Git repository, with minimal external dependencies.
• Integrates cleanly into a manually-compiled kernel (for kernel modules like WireGuard).
• Offers command-line tooling, since NetworkManager or GUI front-ends may not be present.

Top VPN choices for LFS

Based on minimal requirements, upstream-friendly build systems and strong protocol support, these three stand out for an LFS environment:

• WireGuard – modern, in-kernel or out-of-tree module, tiny codebase.
• OpenVPN – battle-tested, pure user-space, wide compatibility.
• OpenConnect – an open implementation of Cisco AnyConnect SSL VPN.

Feature comparison

1. WireGuard – install and configure on LFS

Installation steps

# Ensure your kernel has CONFIG_WIREGUARD enabled (5.6  recommended):
cd /path/to/linux-source
make menuconfig
# Enable: Networking support → WireGuard
make  make modules_install  make install

# Build userspace tools:
git clone https://git.zx2c4.com/wireguard-tools
cd wireguard-tools
./configure
make
make install

Basic configuration

Create /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf with your peer settings:

[Interface]
PrivateKey = 
Address    = 10.0.0.2/24
DNS        = 1.1.1.1

[Peer]
PublicKey  = 
Endpoint   = vpn.example.com:51820
AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0
PersistentKeepalive = 25

Bring the interface up:

wg-quick up wg0
# To check status:
wg show

2. OpenVPN – install and configure on LFS

Installation steps

# Clone the upstream repository
git clone https://github.com/OpenVPN/openvpn.git
cd openvpn

# Prepare build (ensure OpenSSL, LZO are in /usr/local)
./configure --prefix=/usr/local
make
make install

# Verify
openvpn --version

Basic configuration

Save your provider’s client.ovpn as /etc/openvpn/client.conf. A minimal example:

client
dev tun
proto udp
remote vpn.example.com 1194
resolv-retry infinite
nobind

ca ca.crt
cert client.crt
key client.key

cipher AES-256-CBC
auth SHA256
verb 3

Start the VPN:

openvpn --config /etc/openvpn/client.conf

3. OpenConnect – install and configure on LFS

Installation steps

git clone https://github.com/openconnect/openconnect.git
cd openconnect
./autogen.sh
./configure --prefix=/usr/local --with-gnutls
make
make install

# Verify installation
openconnect --version

Basic usage

sudo openconnect vpn.example.com 
  --user=username 
  --passwd-on-stdin <
For persistent configs, drop a script in /etc/openconnect and wrap calls in a systemd service or init script.
Summary
On Linux From Scratch, you’ll want VPN clients that you can compile by hand, with minimal surprises. WireGuard offers blazing performance and a tiny codebase, OpenVPN brings rock-solid SSL/TLS support, and OpenConnect covers Cisco-style SSL VPNs. With the steps above you’ll be up and running in no time—pure source, pure control, pure LFS.