ProtonVPN 3.15.1

ProtonVPN Technical Documentation

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System Requirements

• Operating Systems: ProtonVPN is compatible with the following operating systems:
  • Windows 10 (64-bit), version 1909 or later
  • macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later, with a minimum of 12 GB RAM and a 64-bit processor
  • Linux distributions based on Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver)
• Hardware Requirements:
  • CPU: Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 (3000 series) or higher
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM or more (16 GB or more recommended for heavy use)
  • Storage: 10 GB available space or more
  • GPU: Integrated graphics or a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560 are required for optimal performance
• Network Requirements: A stable internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps is recommended.
• Browser Compatibility:
  • Web-based interface supports:
    • Google Chrome (version 70 or later)
    • Mozilla Firefox (version 60 or later)
    • Microsoft Edge (version 17 or later)

Installation Guide

Installing ProtonVPN on Windows

1. Download the ProtonVPN installer from our website.
2. Run the installation file and select the installation location.
3. Choose the protocol you want to use for your VPN connection:
   • OpenVPN: Uses UDP or TCP ports 1194-1197
   • WireGuard: Uses UDP or TCP ports 51820-51880
4. Enter your ProtonVPN account credentials to authenticate with our servers.
5. Click "Install" to begin the installation process.

### Install ProtonVPN using the command line
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y software-properties-common
wget https://update.protonvpn.com/protonvpn-installer-deb-3.16.x.zip
unzip protonvpn-installer-deb-3.16.x.zip
sudo dpkg -i protonvpn-installer*.deb

Installing ProtonVPN on macOS

1. Download the ProtonVPN installer from our website.
2. Open the installer and follow the prompts to install ProtonVPN.
3. Authenticate with your ProtonVPN account credentials.
4. Choose the protocol you want to use for your VPN connection:
   • OpenVPN: Uses UDP or TCP ports 1194-1197
   • WireGuard: Uses UDP or TCP ports 51820-51880

### Install ProtonVPN using the command line
curl -sSL https://update.protonvpn.com/protonvpn-installer-macos-3.16.x.tar.gz | tar xvf -
sudo ./install.sh

Common Issues and Solutions

• If you encounter issues during installation, try running the installer with administrator privileges.
• If your VPN connection is slow or unstable, check your internet connection speed and try reconfiguring your VPN settings.

Technical Architecture

ProtonVPN uses a combination of open-source technologies to provide secure and private VPN connections. The core architecture consists of:

Core Technologies

• OpenVPN: A popular, highly secure VPN protocol used for establishing encrypted connections with our servers.
• WireGuard: A modern, fast, and easy-to-use VPN protocol used for high-performance connections.
• Linux Foundation's CephFS: A distributed file system that provides a reliable storage solution for our VPN servers.

Software Architecture

ProtonVPN is built using a modular architecture, consisting of the following components:

1. Client Application:
   • Responsible for establishing and maintaining VPN connections
   • Handles user authentication and protocol configuration
2. Server Infrastructure:
   • Managed by ProtonVPN's cloud infrastructure providers (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)
   • Hosts and manages VPN servers with various protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard) configured
3. Database and Storage:
   • Uses a MySQL database to store user account information and configuration settings

Performance Considerations

ProtonVPN prioritizes performance and speed in our VPN connections. We use:

1. Low Latency Routing: Optimizes traffic routing for minimal latency.
2. Fast Connection Establishment: Ensures rapid connection establishment times.

Dependencies

• Libraries:
  • OpenSSL (version 1.1.1 or later)
  • libssl (version 0.9.8l or later)
  • libcurl (version 7.50.0 or later)
• Frameworks:
  • Qt (version 5.15 or later)
  • C11/C14 (for compatibility with various platforms)
• Prerequisite Software:
  • A valid internet connection
  • The operating system specified above

Compatibility Concerns and Version Requirements

ProtonVPN is compatible with the following software:

• Operating systems: Windows 10, macOS High Sierra, and Linux distributions based on Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver)
• Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge
• Devices: Most modern desktop and laptop computers, as well as smartphones and tablets