3.2 KiB
Running the service via TLS (optional)
Let's Encrypt / ACME
To get a certificate automatically via Let's Encrypt, set tls_letsencrypt_hostname
to the desired certificate hostname. This name must resolve to the IP address(es) headscale is reachable on (i.e., it must correspond to the server_url
configuration parameter). The certificate and Let's Encrypt account credentials will be stored in the directory configured in tls_letsencrypt_cache_dir
. If the path is relative, it will be interpreted as relative to the directory the configuration file was read from. The certificate will automatically be renewed as needed.
tls_letsencrypt_hostname: ""
tls_letsencrypt_listen: ":http"
tls_letsencrypt_cache_dir: ".cache"
tls_letsencrypt_challenge_type: HTTP-01
Challenge type HTTP-01
The default challenge type HTTP-01
requires that headscale is reachable on port 80 for the Let's Encrypt automated validation, in addition to whatever port is configured in listen_addr
. By default, headscale listens on port 80 on all local IPs for Let's Encrypt automated validation.
If you need to change the ip and/or port used by headscale for the Let's Encrypt validation process, set tls_letsencrypt_listen
to the appropriate value. This can be handy if you are running headscale as a non-root user (or can't run setcap
). Keep in mind, however, that Let's Encrypt will only connect to port 80 for the validation callback, so if you change tls_letsencrypt_listen
you will also need to configure something else (e.g. a firewall rule) to forward the traffic from port 80 to the ip:port combination specified in tls_letsencrypt_listen
.
Challenge type TLS-ALPN-01
Alternatively, tls_letsencrypt_challenge_type
can be set to TLS-ALPN-01
. In this configuration, headscale listens on the ip:port combination defined in listen_addr
. Let's Encrypt will only connect to port 443 for the validation callback, so if listen_addr
is not set to port 443, something else (e.g. a firewall rule) will be required to forward the traffic from port 443 to the ip:port combination specified in listen_addr
.
Bring your own certificate
headscale can also be configured to expose its web service via TLS. To configure the certificate and key file manually, set the tls_cert_path
and tls_cert_path
configuration parameters. If the path is relative, it will be interpreted as relative to the directory the configuration file was read from.
tls_cert_path: ""
tls_key_path: ""
Configuring Mutual TLS Authentication (mTLS)
mTLS is a method by which an HTTPS server authenticates clients, e.g. Tailscale,
using TLS certificates. The capability can be configured by by applying one of
the following values to the tls_client_auth_mode
setting in the configuration
file.
Value | Behavior |
---|---|
disabled |
Disable mTLS (default). |
relaxed |
A client certificate is required, but it is not verified. |
enforced |
Requires clients to supply a certificate that is verified. |
tls_client_auth_mode: ""