> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://zeferby.gitbook.io/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://zeferby.gitbook.io/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/simultaneous-games-fgc-1-vpn-server/untitled.md). # Lifting the "1 GM at-a-time" restriction What if you have **multiple GMs that need the VPN to host games** ? For example, you may belong to a community of Fantasy Grounds players and GMs mostly based in "pure IPv6" countries. There are several ways to manage such situations, that we'll explore below : * **1-at-a-time /N : *****Time-sharing*** a single VPN Server + single GM connection/certificate * **Nx 1-at-a-time :** Each GM creates his ***own VPN server*** following this guide * **N-at-a-time :** Single VPN Server + Nx ***GM-dedicated connections/certificates*** {% hint style="info" %} **Shared installations will preferably run 24x7**, to avoid requiring the server owner availability (for start/stop or launch/terminate actions) {% endhint %} {% hint style="danger" %} Remember that [**each GM has to check his/her own machine**](/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/general/gms-machine-barriers.md) for "Barriers 1 to 3" {% endhint %} ## **1-at-a-time /N : *****Time-sharing*** a single VPN Server + single GM connection/certificate You share with other GMs the hard work you have already done following this guide : * you distribute [the same set of OpenVPN parameters and credentials](/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/local-setup/step-3-prepare-your-openvpn-connection.md#my-fg-ovpn-dm01) to all you GM friends * each of them [installs OpenVPN client](/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/local-setup/step-1-install-openvpn-+-easy-rsa-2.md)\ ***NB:** They do **NOT** need to install EasyRSA2 or setup a PKI, **only OpenVPN itself is required*** * each of them [installs the set of parameters](/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/local-setup/step-3-prepare-your-openvpn-connection.md#openvpn-gui) that you supplied :thumbsup: **Pros :** * lightweight solution * no technical skills required for other GMs :thumbsdown: **Cons :** * **STILL 1-AT-A-TIME !** * replacing the certificate requires installing the new set of parameters for all GMs * **your own availability**, required to start/launch the server and communicate the new Public IP **if it only runs on-demand**, as opposed to 24x7 * **time-sharing organization**, usage planning and timezone errors, colliding time slots - **2 GMs connected at the same time => broken FG sessions** - one day or another you'll encounter issues like those :
Overlapping sessions
![VPN not disconnected after a game session => next game delayed](https://681104499-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LhjKavWMofrik61tHfB%2F-MI9FGGFy2W9E6jmOlFn%2F-MI9R6cVUIDz6MHIF-uB%2FGMs-collision02.png?alt=media\&token=be244a6c-733c-47e7-bc4b-6700f443d002) ## **Nx 1-at-a-time :** Each GM creates his own VPN server This option is self-explanatory... The main issue here is that some (most ?) of the **other GMs may not be as geeky as you are** (since you made it this far...:wink:), and **may be daunted by this solution**. :thumbsup: **Pros :** * maximum flexibility :thumbsdown: **Cons :** * maximum setup work * technical skills required for GMs ## **N-at-a-time :** Single VPN Server + Nx ***GM-dedicated connections/certificates*** This option is quite neat as it enables several GMs to **run multiple simultaneous FG games (N at a time)** **through the one and only VPN Server** you already created, but : {% hint style="warning" %} * It requires **additional work to setup** * It is **not 100% transparent for players.** {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **It is mostly suitable for a community with several GMs, running mid- to long-term FGC games (campaigns)** since the extra complexity is managed up-front, once and for all. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} To support multiple concurrent games going through our small VPN server, which has **only ONE Public IP**, we'll use a **different communication port for each GM**. {% endhint %} This solution **extends our current setup** by : * creating **individual GM certificates** in our PKI * transparently forwarding FG traffic to and from each **specific GM** for **a specific FG port** :thumbsup: **Pros :** * **removes the burden of time-sharing organization**\ The GMs with dedicated connections can *host FGC games **at any time*** (while the VPN server is running) ***without fear of collision*** with other games. They can even forget to close their VPN connection... * **compatible with the original "1-at-a-time" setup, which remains 100% transparent for players**\ You can have both : GM-dedicated specific connections **and** time-shared setup you already created * **gives more control over security** by having specific connections/certificates per GM :thumbsdown: **Cons :** * it needs you to **dive deeper into the OpenVPN server configuration**\ We'll detail this with step-by-step instructions in next pages * it requires **GMs and Players** to create and use a **customized shortcut to FGC** (for ease of use) to run Fantasy Grounds Classic on a specific TCP port, different than the standard TCP 1802\ Creating a specific shortcut to the FG program *should not be an issue* to play with a specific GM for multiple sessions in an *on-going campaign*; but it could be *awkward for 1-shot games* *This solution became possible when I finally understood how to run FG Classic on a custom TCP port...*\ *It **only** took me a bit more than 2 years after starting using the program, to find this info !...* ![GM: (sigh)...Ok ZeFerby, give me another Investigation roll...(sigh)...](https://681104499-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LhjKavWMofrik61tHfB%2F-MIJsojSzXcj0MIfeo0g%2F-MIK7FJqWe1I7Poi7m0x%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=a4370f1f-3f43-4c55-b606-c869682eb5b1) ![GM: Finally!!! You find this info about the p flag, hidden under a loose floorboard in the FG Forums...](https://681104499-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LhjKavWMofrik61tHfB%2F-MIJsojSzXcj0MIfeo0g%2F-MIK8FebjlN9KPrZd-kn%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=312c3c22-a672-4eb0-9bee-d5b71ff80bee)