Netmaker v0.30.0: Streamlined Security and Enhanced Networking

We’re excited to unveil Netmaker v0.30.0—our most streamlined and powerful release yet. From reduced firewall requirements to advanced access control lists, this release focuses on simplifying deployment while deepening security controls and networking capabilities. Keep reading to learn what’s new, what’s fixed, and how you can make the most of this update.

What’s New ✨

1. All-New Dashboard Navigation

We’ve rebuilt our dashboard navigation from the ground up to be more intuitive. With reorganized menus and clearer pathways, you can now quickly locate network configuration, status pages, and access controls. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a more cohesive user experience.

2. Advanced ACL Rules

Take network security to the next level with Advanced ACL Rules. Now you can configure ACLs by port, protocol, and traffic direction, giving you finer control over how your nodes communicate. Whether you need to limit specific ports or block traffic in certain directions, ACLs offer a more granular approach to securing your networks.

3. Reduced Firewall Requirements

Thanks to significant under-the-hood improvements, you can now self-host Netmaker with just one single port (443 TCP/UDP). The Netclient will default to listening on port 443 when it’s available over Private IPs; if not, it’ll fall back to port 51821. Simplifying your firewall rules makes it even easier to adopt Netmaker in a range of network environments.

4. Flexible Connectivity Options

• Turn Off UDP Hole Punching: If your environment doesn't require or allow UDP hole punching, you can now disable it directly from the Netmaker interface.
• Custom STUN Servers: Specify your own STUN servers to handle NAT traversal, especially useful for advanced or specialized deployments.

5. Improved Connectivity Status Indicator

We’ve made it much simpler to see, at a glance, whether your network peers are up and running. Plus, real-time troubleshooting tips help you address connectivity issues as they arise, offering a more proactive approach to maintaining network health.

What’s Fixed/Improved 🛠

1. Metrics Data: We’ve refined the way data is collected and displayed, ensuring it’s both accurate and more efficient to process.
2. Optimised MQ Message Size: Reduced message sizes lead to faster, more reliable communication across your distributed networks.
3. FailOver Stability Fixes: Enhanced the reliability of FailOver, ensuring that your nodes remain connected even when certain routes or connections fail.
4. Scalability Fixes: Improvements to how Netmaker handles larger networks make it easier to scale, whether you’re a startup or an enterprise.
5. Duplicate Node IP Check on Update: Prevent accidental IP conflicts by catching duplicate IP addresses in real time, giving you a heads-up before they cause major issues.

Known Issues 🐞

1. IPv6 DNS Entries Are Not Working
   We’re aware of a bug causing IPv6 DNS entries to fail. Our team is actively working on a fix for an upcoming patch.
2. Stale Peer on the Interface
   In certain edge cases, stale peers may remain on the network interface when removed from multiple networks at once. A manual cleanup may be necessary until this is resolved.
3. WireGuard DNS Issue on Ubuntu 24.04 (and some newer Linux distributions)
   Users running Ubuntu 24.04 or certain newer Linux variants may encounter a DNS issue affecting Remote Access Clients (RAC) and plain WireGuard external clients.
   Workaround: Follow the step-by-step guide here.

Getting Started with Netmaker v0.30.0

If you’re ready to dive in, simply update your existing Netmaker installation or download the latest release from our GitHub repository. For detailed instructions on installation, configuration, and best practices, head over to our official documentation.

Have questions or feedback? Join our growing community on our Discord channel. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in secure, open-source networking.