Tailscale Exit Node: Difference between revisions

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<span id="set-up-exit-node-setup"></span>
== Set Up Exit Node Setup ==
== Set up Exit Node Setup ==


https://tailscale.com/kb/1103/exit-nodes?tab=linux https://tailscale.com/kb/1320/performance-best-practices#ethtool-configuration
Setting up an Exit Node with Tailscale allows you to route your internet traffic through a specific device in your network, providing additional privacy and flexibility. This guide walks you through the setup process and includes best practices for performance.


<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">sudo tailscale up --advertise-exit-node</syntaxhighlight>
== Exit Node Configuration ==
<span id="auto-starting"></span>
=== Auto Starting ===


<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">systemctl is-enabled networkd-dispatcher</syntaxhighlight>
To configure your device as an exit node, use the following command:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ethtool-tailscale-settings.service</syntaxhighlight>
 
<pre class="txt">[Unit]
<pre>
sudo tailscale up --advertise-exit-node
</pre>
 
For more detailed information on exit node setup, refer to the official Tailscale documentation:
* [Tailscale Exit Nodes Guide](https://tailscale.com/kb/1103/exit-nodes?tab=linux)
* [Performance Best Practices](https://tailscale.com/kb/1320/performance-best-practices#ethtool-configuration)
 
== Auto Starting Tailscale ==
 
To ensure that Tailscale starts automatically with the desired settings, follow these steps:
 
1. **Check Network Dispatcher Status**: First, verify if the networkd-dispatcher service is enabled by running:
 
  <pre>
  systemctl is-enabled networkd-dispatcher
  </pre>
 
2. **Create a Service File for Tailscale**: You will need to create a systemd service to apply ethtool settings for Tailscale optimizations:
 
  <pre>
  sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
  </pre>
 
  Add the following configuration to the file:
 
  <pre class="txt">[Unit]
Description=Apply ethtool settings for Tailscale optimizations
Description=Apply ethtool settings for Tailscale optimizations
After=network.target
After=network.target
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[Service]
[Service]
Type=oneshot
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/bin/sh -c 'NETDEV=$(ip route show 0/0 | cut -f5 -d&quot; &quot;) &amp;&amp; ethtool -K $NETDEV rx-udp-gro-forwarding on rx-gro-list off'
ExecStart=/bin/sh -c 'NETDEV=$(ip route show 0/0 | cut -f5 -d" ") && ethtool -K $NETDEV rx-udp-gro-forwarding on rx-gro-list off'


[Install]
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
WantedBy=multi-user.target
</pre>
  </pre>
 
3. **Enable the Service**: After saving the file, enable the service to start on boot:
 
  <pre>
  sudo systemctl enable ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
  </pre>
 
4. **Start the Service**: You can also start the service immediately without needing to reboot:
 
  <pre>
  sudo systemctl start ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
  </pre>
 
== Best Practices for Exit Node Performance ==
 
To optimize the performance of your Tailscale exit node, consider the following recommendations:
 
* **Network Configuration**: Ensure that your network is configured for optimal performance by adjusting settings such as MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) size.
* **Regular Updates**: Keep your Tailscale and system software up to date to benefit from the latest features and performance improvements.
* **Monitoring**: Utilize monitoring tools to keep track of traffic and performance metrics, allowing you to make informed adjustments as necessary.
 
== Conclusion ==
 
Setting up an exit node with Tailscale enhances your network's privacy and usability. By following the instructions above and implementing the best practices, you can ensure a smooth and efficient experience.
 
[[Category:Tailscale]]
[[Category:Networking]]
[[Category:Self-hosting]]