OpenVPN vs. WireGuard: How They Handle Remote IPs Differently

Introduction: The IT Dilemma

If you are an IT admin setting up a VPN for your remote workers, you must choose between OpenVPN (the old reliable) and WireGuard (the new speed demon). But the way they handle IP Allocation is drastically different and will dictate how you build your network.

Dynamic vs. Static

OpenVPN acts like a standard DHCP server. When an employee logs in, it dynamically assigns them a random IP from a pool. When they log out, the IP goes back. WireGuard, by design, requires every 'Peer' (employee) to be statically matched with a specific internal IP address based on their cryptographic key (Cryptokey Routing).

Conclusion

While WireGuard is faster, its 'Static only' IP approach makes it harder to manage for companies with 10,000 employees unless they use advanced management software. Check your current VPN software here.