> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://qubitvpn.gitbook.io/qubitvpn-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://qubitvpn.gitbook.io/qubitvpn-docs/how-to-use/how-to-use.md).

# How to use

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Enable/Connect NetBird. This will connect your device to the QubitVPN Network.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FdV9SK7gAvqTgQOuQWwFt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ece07860-1aa9-44ff-972e-3818bba6c580" alt="" width="228"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Upon connecting, your device/client will be assigned an IP.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FlLRafjnEbALp43W9ysph%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=6a58c616-f433-4fa4-a4d1-e231c1f84474" alt="" width="228"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enable full VPN

Click "Exit Node" and select ***"Free US VPN"***

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FZRFZvZfWT0JNuSDTlOvQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=1cbd6539-5c7f-4dbd-b482-1d35bc1ce15a" alt="" width="229"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

You are now connected to the QubitVPN network and assigned a QubitVPN Network IP (NetBird IP) but you may notice that your public IP hasn't changed (VPN not enabled). Please follow the steps below.

<details>

<summary><strong>Mask IP with VPN (Exit Node)</strong></summary>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect to QubitVPN Network

Please follow the initial setup steps above to connect to the QubitVPN network.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enable Full VPN

Click "Exit Node" and select ***"Free US VPN"*** (available on the Free and Basic Plans) or your Dedicated IP (provided across the Standard Plan and all higher tiers).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FZRFZvZfWT0JNuSDTlOvQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=1cbd6539-5c7f-4dbd-b482-1d35bc1ce15a" alt="" width="229"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Setup Port Forwarding/Tunneling (</strong><em><strong>Only available from the Standard Plan and higher tiers</strong></em><strong>)</strong></summary>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect to QubitVPN Network

Please follow the initial setup steps above to connect to the QubitVPN network. *You don't need to enable to Exit Node (VPN) as long as you're connected to the QubitVPN network within the NetBird app.*
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Copy your VPN Server's NetBird IP

The Server's NetBird IP is outlined in **Red**.

<figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FeD8xQatieQsBlrJwDwQj%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ef8c87d6-8070-4dfa-95df-9f9d75698e3c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Visit the Port Forwarding page for your VPN Server

Please open your favorite browser and enter: <kbd><http://SERVER\\_NETBIRD\\_IP:54323></kbd>&#x20;

*You must replace "SERVER\_NETBIRD\_IP" with the NetBird IP you copied previously.*

<figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FM2sbgdJkyDYmpEVkdQDc%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=2e404634-fca9-4cbd-96ed-6f3b019196f0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

*If you recieve an error while trying to access this page. Please make sure your NetBird app shows "Connected" status. Please also ensure you're using the correct IP indicated by "NetBird IP"*
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Login to the Port Forwarding Page

Please use the following credentials to authenticate:

**Username:** *admin*

**Password:** *admin*

<figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FW3rX3MPYllNGIKLmv6dF%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=d201e2e9-825b-4f71-88a6-22fde8d9a30e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add Forwarding Rule

<figure><img src="https://1665844291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fh2w9Up9seZJlW6lHfRCt%2Fuploads%2FtiQ1mysT0wap79OtFGz0%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=4ccf5390-c88c-4aea-869d-1c5ff4e538c8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **IP**: This would be the NetBird IP of the device your application, service, or game server is hosted on.
* **From Port**: This is the port your users would enter to access your application/service.
* **To Port**: This is the port being used by the application/service on your device.
* **socat/iptables**: This is the method of forwarding. You may choose whichever method works best for you but **we recommend iptables** as it is typically much quicker.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Allow Incoming Port Firewall on the device running the Application/Service

Don't worry. You only need to allow the Incoming Port Firewall on the device hosting the application/service, not your internet router.

{% content-ref url="/pages/5L8S1Sxbr7PHKGlOysWZ" %}
[Allow Incoming Port Connection](/qubitvpn-docs/how-to-use/allow-incoming-port-connection.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

</details>