WireGuard is an advanced and modern VPN protocol that is easy to configure, providing blazing-fast speed, a learner protocol, and it’s seen as more secure than IPSec with the state-of-the-art cryptography. The combination of WireGuard VPN and 5G routers is an ideal choice for mobile scenarios, especially suitable for scenarios that require low latency and high security.

The following is a secure networking application solution for branch offices and headquarters based on 5G and WireGuard VPN, including architecture design, security policies, and implementation steps:

I. Solution Objectives

Enable branch offices to stably access the headquarters' internal network through 5G routers.
Establish an encrypted tunnel via WireGuard VPN to ensure secure data transmission.
Reduce deployment costs and meet the flexible networking requirements of branch offices.

II. Network Architecture Design

1. Headquarters Network Architecture

VPN Server: Deploy a high - performance server (physical/cloud server), install the WireGuard server - side software, and assign a fixed public IP or use dynamic DNS (such as vpn.company.com).

Firewall Policy: Only open the WireGuard port (default UDP 51820) and necessary management ports.

Internal Network Resources: Core business systems such as databases and file servers are isolated by a firewall, and only access through the VPN tunnel is allowed.

2. Branch Office Architecture

5G Router: Select a device that supports 5G SA/NSA, IPv6, and VPN penetration (such as R5000 5G industrial router).

WireGuard Client: Deploy the client on the router, and configure it to connect to the headquarters' VPN server.

3. Communication Process

Branch office 5G router → Internet → WireGuard VPN tunnel (encrypted) → Headquarters VPN server → Headquarters internal network resources

III. Security Policies

1. Encryption and Authentication

WireGuard Protocol: Use the ChaCha20 encryption algorithm and Curve25519 key exchange, which are highly efficient in performance and resistant to quantum - computing attacks.

Key Management: Assign a unique public - private key pair to each device, rotate keys regularly (e.g., every 90 days), and disable PSK (Pre - Shared Key).

2. Access Control

Firewall Rules: Only allow the VPN subnet (e.g., 10.8.0.0/24) to access specific headquarters services (such as the file - sharing port 445).

Two - Factor Authentication (Optional): Enhance VPN login security through OAuth or TOTP.

3. Network Monitoring

Deploy traffic analysis tools (such as Wireshark, ntopng) to monitor abnormal traffic.

Enable WireGuard logging to record connection status and data transfer volume.

IV. Implementation Steps

1. Deployment of Headquarters VPN Server

Install WireGuard:

# Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt install wireguard

wg genkey | tee privatekey | wg pubkey > publickey

Configure the Server - side (/etc/wireguard/wg0.conf):

Address = 10.8.0.1/24

ListenPort = 51820

PrivateKey = <Server private key>

[Peer] # branch A

PublicKey = <Branch office public key>

AllowedIPs = 10.8.0.2/32

Enable NAT and Routing:

sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1

iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE

systemctl enable wg-quick@wg0

2. Configuration of Branch Offices

5G Router Settings:

- Enable the 5G network and configure the APN (according to the requirements of the carrier).
- Turn off UPnP, enable the firewall, and only allow necessary VPN ports.

WireGuard Client Configuration:

ini

Address = 10.8.0.2/32

PrivateKey = <Branch office private key>

[Peer]

PublicKey = <Server public key>

Endpoint = vpn.company.com:51820

AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0 # All traffic goes through the VPN, or configure as needed

PersistentKeepalive = 25

3. Verification and Optimization

Connectivity Test: Ping 10.8.0.1 or access the headquarters' internal network services.

Performance Tuning: Adjust the MTU value (e.g., 1380) to avoid 5G network fragmentation.

Disaster Recovery Plan: Configure multiple VPN servers or a backup 4G link.

V. Costs and Maintenance

Hardware Costs: 5G industrial routers (about $400 per unit), servers (starting from $1000).
Operation and Maintenance Suggestions:
- Use Ansible to manage WireGuard configurations in batches.
- Regularly audit keys and access logs.
- Monitor 5G traffic usage to avoid over - charge.

VI. Scalability Design

Multi - Cloud Architecture: Deploy the VPN server on AWS/AliCloud and optimize the link in combination with SD - WAN.
IoT Integration: Support mobile devices (such as inspection terminals) to access through WireGuard.

Solution Advantages:
✅ Low latency: The 5G network ensures real - time data transmission.
✅ High security: WireGuard's lightweight encryption avoids the performance bottlenecks of traditional VPNs.

✅ Easy expansion: Supports the rapid addition of branch office nodes.

Our R5000 5G industrial router has been integrated with WireGuard VPN protocol, customers can configure the router as WireGuard Client easily. What’s more, it’s industrial IoT device based on OpenWRT system, integrated with 5 GE ports and WIFI6, supporting 100+ simultaneous WiFi connections.