Tailscale Exit Node

Set Up Exit Node Setup

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.

Exit Node Configuration

To configure your device as an exit node, use the following command:

sudo tailscale up --advertise-exit-node

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:

   systemctl is-enabled networkd-dispatcher
   

2. **Create a Service File for Tailscale**: You will need to create a systemd service to apply ethtool settings for Tailscale optimizations:

   sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
   

  Add the following configuration to the file:

[Unit]
Description=Apply ethtool settings for Tailscale optimizations
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
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]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
   

3. **Enable the Service**: After saving the file, enable the service to start on boot:

   sudo systemctl enable ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
   

4. **Start the Service**: You can also start the service immediately without needing to reboot:

   sudo systemctl start ethtool-tailscale-settings.service
   

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.