Why Project Trident Needs a Special VPN Approach

Project Trident is a FreeBSD-based desktop distribution, originally built on TrueOS technology, offering a clean ZFS-root workflow, the lightweight Lumina desktop (with optional Budgie or MATE spins) and package management via pkg. It attracts power users who appreciate BSD’s stability and familiar rc.d service scripts rather than systemd units. Given these particularities, you want a VPN that either provides a native FreeBSD package or at least seamless OpenVPN/WireGuard support via pkg or ports.

Key distro details to bear in mind:

• Package manager: pkg (with FreeBSD ports as a fallback)
• Init system: BSD rc.d, no systemd
• Desktop environments: Lumina by default community spins with Budgie, MATE, Xfce
• Target user: CLI-savvy, values ZFS snapshots, rolling updates

Which VPNs Fit the Bill?

The ideal VPN for Project Trident must either:

• Provide an official FreeBSD package
• Offer config files for OpenVPN/WireGuard that work out of the box on FreeBSD
• Have solid documentation for manual setup under rc.d

Based on these criteria, the following providers stand out:

• Mullvad – Native WireGuard support, OpenVPN configs and an unofficial FreeBSD package in ports.
• NordVPN – Extensive .ovpn file set, works via OpenVPN on FreeBSD with minimal tweaks.
• ProtonVPN – Offers WireGuard and OpenVPN configurations no native BSD client but config files are rock-solid.

Comparison of Top VPNs for Project Trident

Step-by-Step Setup

Mullvad on Project Trident

Mullvad is the top pick due to its open-source configs, official WireGuard profiles, and an unofficial pkg wrapper available in ports.

1. Install required packages:

sudo pkg update
sudo pkg install openvpn wireguard-go

2. Fetch your Mullvad credentials and config bundles:

# Replace with your account number (12 digits)
ACCOUNT=1234-5678-9012
curl -O https://mullvad.net/download/openvpn-config/?os=linuxaccount={ACCOUNT} -L -o mullvad_openvpn.zip
curl -O https://mullvad.net/download/wireguard-config/?account={ACCOUNT} -L -o mullvad_wg.zip

unzip mullvad_openvpn.zip -d ~/mullvad/openvpn
unzip mullvad_wg.zip -d ~/mullvad/wg

3. Configure OpenVPN (example for a London server):

sudo cp ~/mullvad/openvpn/us-lax-001.udp.ovpn /usr/local/etc/openvpn/mullvad.conf
# Ensure credentials
echo username > /usr/local/etc/openvpn/credentials
echo password >> /usr/local/etc/openvpn/credentials
chmod 600 /usr/local/etc/openvpn/credentials

4. Start via rc.d:

sudo sysrc openvpn_mullvad_enable=YES
sudo sysrc openvpn_mullvad_configfile=/usr/local/etc/openvpn/mullvad.conf
sudo service openvpn_mullvad start

Alternatively, for WireGuard:

sudo cp ~/mullvad/wg/us-wg-lax.conf /usr/local/etc/wireguard/mullvad.conf
sudo sysrc wireguard_mullvad_enable=YES
sudo sysrc wireguard_mullvad_if=mullvad
sudo sysrc wireguard_mullvad_config=/usr/local/etc/wireguard/mullvad.conf
sudo service wireguard_mullvad start

NordVPN via OpenVPN on Project Trident

NordVPN doesn’t ship a FreeBSD client, but you can leverage their .ovpn files.

1. Install OpenVPN:

sudo pkg update
sudo pkg install openvpn

2. Download NordVPN configs (TCP/UDP):

cd ~/nordvpn
curl -O https://downloads.nordcdn.com/configs/archives/servers/ovpn.zip
unzip ovpn.zip

3. Pick a server (for example, uk118.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn) and place it in /usr/local/etc/openvpn/:

sudo cp ~/nordvpn/ovpn_udp/uk118.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn /usr/local/etc/openvpn/nord.conf

4. Store credentials:

printf your_nordvpn_usernamenyour_nordvpn_passwordn  sudo tee /usr/local/etc/openvpn/nord.creds
sudo chmod 600 /usr/local/etc/openvpn/nord.creds

5. Configure rc.d and start:

sudo sysrc openvpn_nord_enable=YES
sudo sysrc openvpn_nord_configfile=/usr/local/etc/openvpn/nord.conf
sudo service openvpn_nord start

Wrapping Up

For Project Trident, an OpenVPN or WireGuard setup via FreeBSD’s pkg and rc.d scripts gives you rock-solid privacy without bending your system’s conventions. Mullvad is the smoothest, thanks to native configs and ports support NordVPN follows closely with well-maintained .ovpn archives. Once up and running, you’ll enjoy encrypted browsing under Lumina (or your chosen DE) with ZFS snapshots safeguarding your configuration at every turn.