n2n
A lightweight peer-to-peer layer-2 VPN for linking machines into a virtual network.
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About n2n
n2n creates a virtual layer-2 network between hosts, so machines in different places behave as if they share one LAN. Each participating host runs an edge daemon. A supernode helps edges find each other, and traffic then flows between peers where possible.
The project is developed by ntop on GitHub and includes man pages, example configurations and a Wireshark dissector for inspecting n2n traffic. Setup is done from the command line, so it suits administrators and hobbyists who are comfortable configuring network daemons by hand rather than using a graphical app.
Strengths
- Layer-2 networking, so hosts appear to share one LAN
- Peer-to-peer traffic with a supernode for discovery
- Includes a Wireshark dissector for troubleshooting
Limitations
- Configured by hand on the command line
- Requires running a reachable supernode
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- ntop
- Platforms
- Linux, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Best suited for
- Linking home and remote machines into one virtual LAN without a central VPN server
- Categories
- VPN, Network tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to n2n
Compare allSoftware that can replace n2n for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
ZeroTier One
Puts machines anywhere in the world on the same virtual Ethernet network, as if they were plugged into one switch.
ZeroTier One also offers Ethernet-level networking across sites, adds Windows, macOS and mobile clients, and uses a hosted controller unless you run your own.
tinc
A VPN daemon that builds an encrypted mesh network between hosts over the internet.
tinc builds a self-managed encrypted mesh with direct peer traffic and NAT traversal, also configured by hand, but routes at the network layer rather than layer 2.
Tailscale
Builds a private network between your own devices using WireGuard, without opening ports or running a server.
Tailscale replaces manual setup and the supernode with a hosted WireGuard coordination service and apps for all major platforms, but requires an identity provider account.
EasyTier
A decentralized mesh VPN written in Rust that links devices into one private network, with WireGuard support.
EasyTier forms a decentralised mesh with no central server, adds WireGuard support, a graphical interface and Windows, macOS and Android builds.
LogMeIn Hamachi
A hosted VPN service that creates LAN-like virtual networks between remote computers.
LogMeIn Hamachi gives LAN-like networks with web-based management and no router changes, but it is proprietary, depends on LogMeIn's hosted service and charges for key features.
nebula
Connect devices through an encrypted overlay network.
Nebula is an MIT-licensed encrypted overlay network with Windows, macOS and Android support, using certificate management instead of a supernode.
NetBird
A WireGuard-based mesh network with single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and access policies, self-hostable or managed.
NetBird builds a WireGuard mesh with SSO, multi-factor authentication and an admin web interface, self-hosted under the AGPL or managed, with desktop clients.
Radmin VPN
A free Windows program that joins remote computers into one virtual local network.
Radmin VPN joins remote computers into one virtual LAN with simple setup and no paid tiers, but it runs only on Windows and is closed source.
n2n as an alternative
Listings that name n2n as an alternative.
Yggdrasil
An experimental, end-to-end encrypted IPv6 mesh network run as a lightweight userspace software router.
n2n links machines into a peer-to-peer layer-2 virtual LAN, but it runs on Linux through the command line and requires a reachable supernode for discovery.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
WireGuard
A small, fast VPN protocol and set of official clients that connect two machines by exchanging public keys.
headscale
A self-hosted, open-source implementation of the Tailscale control server, so your mesh VPN does not depend on a company.
Husarnet
A peer-to-peer VPN that connects laptops, servers and microcontrollers directly, with built-in support for ROS.
