Deluge with GlueTUN VPN in Container Manager on a Synology NAS

A small note to remember about updates in this guide I set GlueTUN to use the ‘latest’ version tag, sometimes it has updates which break things, so if you have an issue after an update roll back to the most recent full stable release from this page, so for example as of October 2024 that would be image: qmcgaw/gluetun:v3.39

What are Deluge and GlueTUN?

Deluge is a lightweight torrent downloader, it has a number of built-in plugins to help organise your downloads and a full web interface, GlueTUN is the Docker container that has pre-configured VPN connections for numerous VPN providers.

Before you start check the GlueTUN Wiki to see if your provider is on the supported list.

Also, if you are yet to choose a provider have a look at the Reddit list of recommended suppliers as could save you a headache when trying to seed. I currently use AirVPN which has nice easy port forwarding unlike some others. This is my affiliate link if you fancy signing up.

Let’s Begin

In this guide I will take you through the steps to get Deluge up and running in Docker and a separate GlueTUN VPN container. By having a separate container for the VPN connection we can use it in the future for other applications such as Prowlarr, this is useful if you have torrent indexers blocked in your country.

As the Synology DSM GUI does not support some of the functions we need for this tutorial we will be using Docker Compose. This is not as complicated as it might seem!

In order for you to successfully use this guide please complete the three preceding guides

• Docker Package, SSD and Memory Recommendations
• Step 1: Directory Setup Guide
• Step 2: Setting up a restricted Docker user
• Step 3: Setting up a Docker Bridge Network

Folder Setup

Let’s start by getting some folders set up for the containers to use. Open up File Station create the following.

/docker/projects/vpnproject-compose
/docker/gluetun
/docker/deluge

Setting up the TUN start up script

In order for the VPN connection to work we need to make sure the TUN Interface is available to make the connection to a VPN provider. In order to ensure it is available even after a reboot we will set up a small ‘script’.

Open up Control Panel and then click on Task Scheduler

Next click on Create, Triggered Task then User Defined Script.

Enter the following:

On the Task Settings tab copy and paste the code below in the ‘User-Defined script’ section. It will look like screenshot.

#!/bin/sh -e

insmod /lib/modules/tun.ko

You can now press OK and agree to the warning message. Next run the script which will enable the TUN device.

You can now move on to the next step.

Wireguard Kernel Module
(Recommended for Performance & Reduced CPU Resource not required for OpenVPN)

The default Gluetun Wireguard setup uses a ‘Userspace’ implementation of Wireguard which requires higher CPU resources. For example a 40MiB download via qBittorrent uses up to 176% in CPU (1.7 Cores) on my 1821+.

By installing the appropriate Kernel Module this reduces down to 1 or 2% which frees up the CPU for other tasks.

BlackVoid.club have put together a Kernel Module for Synology which allows Gluetun to use the lower level Kernel to perform Wireguard duties make sure you drop them a thanks as this would not be possible without them!

https://www.blackvoid.club/wireguard-spk-for-your-synology-nas/

While on first glances it looks like a long installation process the page details a number of methods. I recommend having a read taking note of warnings and also if you want to build your own module it tells you how.

The TLDR is below.

1. Find your model of NAS under the correct DSM version section (If you are following this guide it will be 7.2) and download the pre compiled .spk file
2. Head into Package Center and click ‘Manual Install’ on the top right and install the .spk file and untick the box to run after install
3. Reboot
4. SSH Into your NAS (Just like in the User Setup guide) and elevate yourself to root by typing sudo -i and entering your password
5. Enter this command and press enter to start up the module /var/packages/WireGuard/scripts/start

You should now be able to see the WireGuard package running in Package Center. Please note while I will try my best to support in relation to this module I may have to refer you on if it is a specific technical issue.

When you have GlueTUN running check the log for this line [wireguard] Using available kernelspace implementation, and you know it is working. (Does not apply to OpenVPN)

On to the next part.

Container Manager

Next we are going to set up a ‘Project’ in Container Manager, a project is used when you want multiple containers to all be loaded together and often rely on each other to function. In our case we want Deluge to load and talk to the GlueTUN VPN container.

Open up Container Manager and click on Project then on the right-hand side click ‘Create’

In the next screen we will set up our General Settings, enter the following:

Next we are going to drop in our docker compose configuration copy all the code in the box below and paste it into line ‘1’ just like the screenshot

services:
  gluetun:
    image: qmcgaw/gluetun:latest
    container_name: gluetun
    cap_add:
      - NET_ADMIN
    devices:
      - /dev/net/tun:/dev/net/tun
    ports:
      - 8888:8888/tcp # HTTP proxy
      - 8388:8388/tcp # Shadowsocks
      - 8388:8388/udp # Shadowsocks
      - 8112:8112/tcp # port for deluge
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/gluetun:/gluetun
    environment:
      - PUID=1234 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_UID
      - PGID=65432 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_GID
      - TZ=Europe/London #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_TZ
      - VPN_SERVICE_PROVIDER=NAMEOFYOURPROVIDER
      - VPN_TYPE=wireguard #change as per wiki
      - WIREGUARD_PRIVATE_KEY=YOUR-PRIVATE-KEY #remove if using openvpn
      - WIREGUARD_PRESHARED_KEY #For AIRVPN remove if not required
      - WIREGUARD_ADDRESSES=10.x.x.x #IP V4 Only - remove if using openvpn
      - SERVER_COUNTRIES=VPNSERVERCOUNTRY #Change based on the Wiki
      - HTTPPROXY=off #change to on if you wish to enable
      - SHADOWSOCKS=off #change to on if you wish to enable
      - FIREWALL_OUTBOUND_SUBNETS=172.20.0.0/16,192.168.0.0/24 #change this in line with your subnet see note on guide.
#      - FIREWALL_VPN_INPUT_PORTS=12345 #uncomment this line and change the port as per the note on the guide
      - UPDATER_PERIOD=24h
    network_mode: synobridge
    labels:
      - com.centurylinklabs.watchtower.enable=false
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    restart: always
      
  linuxserver-deluge:
    image: linuxserver/deluge:latest
    container_name: deluge
    environment:
      - PUID=1234 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_UID
      - PGID=65432 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_GID
      - TZ=Europe/London #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_TZ
      - DELUGE_LOGLEVEL=error #optional
      - UMASK=022
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/deluge:/config
      - /volume1/data/torrents:/data/torrents
    network_mode: service:gluetun # run on the vpn network
    depends_on:
      gluetun:
        condition: service_healthy
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    restart: always
    

What is a Docker Compose?!

The code we just dropped into Container Manager defines how we want each of the container’s setup. It is broken down into sections such as ports we want to access, which folders we want the container to use and what some variables to define where we live and settings for the container known as ‘Environment’ variables.

We will now make some important edits!

IDs and Timezone

First look for the lines below, they appear twice each, these control the containers access to our filesystem and also the user the containers run as.

Ports and Proxies

In the top Gluetun section you will notice that we have some additional ports assigned for a http proxy and Shadowsocks Proxy – this means you can direct traffic from other devices or applications on your network through the container! If you want to use these change the following.

Firewall Outbound Subnet

This section controls your ability to access the UIs of any containers running through the GlueTUN containers network.

      - FIREWALL_OUTBOUND_SUBNETS=172.20.0.0/16,192.168.0.0/24

The first part ‘172.20.0.0/16’ don’t edit as this is our ‘synobridge’ network and allows other containers such as Radarr to access the download client.

We need to change the second IP after the , this allows us to access the WebUI and containers via out local network.

This IP address (subnet) is easy to figure out. If you NAS IP is 192.168.0.27 your subnet is 192.168.0.0/24 (notice I just changed the last number before the /24 to 0)

Firewall Input Ports

This part is # commented out by default, if your VPN provider offers port forwarding remove the # from the start of the line and change the port number(s) in line with the ones provided to you. This will also be the port used within the download client and will help overall connectivity.

If you do update this make sure you change the Listening Port in Deluge when setting up.

      - FIREWALL_VPN_INPUT_PORTS=12345,56789

Volumes

By default, I have assumed you have your config files stored on /volume1 if these are located on another volume amend these lines accordingly.

      - /volume1/docker/gluetun:/gluetun
      - /volume1/docker/deluge:/config
      - /volume1/data/torrents:/data/torrents      

Watchtower Exclusion

You don’t need to change this, I added a label to avoid Watchtower automatically updating the GlueTUN container as it will always break the overall project which can be inconvenient if you are not around to fix it. You can update the container using the mini guide on the left menu of the site.

    labels:
      - com.centurylinklabs.watchtower.enable=false

Important – Provider Specific Edits

This next bit is important and if you don’t pay attention to the details you will have a harder time connecting up to your VPN provider

Open up the GlueTun Wiki and in the list find your provider.

Let’s use AirVPN as our example.

On the page you will see a number of key sections highlighting the variables that work with AirVPN. This is important as they can vary per provider so read everything on your providers page. (See the FAQ for the steps to get AirVPN Wireguard Details)

Key differences are generally the SERVER_COUNTRIES / SERVER_CITIES etc as they will vary so use the correct setting, your provider should have a list of Countries and Cities they support.

I have provided some common defaults in the compose for you, but you need to amend them in line with your providers page.

      - VPN_SERVICE_PROVIDER=NAMEOFYOURPROVIDER
      - VPN_TYPE=wireguard
      - WIREGUARD_PRIVATE_KEY=YOUR-PRIVATE-KEY
      - WIREGUARD_ADDRESSES=10.x.x.x
      - SERVER_COUNTRIES=VPNSERVERCOUNTRY

If your provider is not supported, you can make a request on GitHub to add it, or you can follow the custom providers guidance on GlueTUNs WIKI.

Once you have checked for your provider, make the appropriate edits to the compose accordingly.

That completes the edits to the compose!

Click ‘Next‘

You do not need to enable anything on the ‘Web portal settings’ screen click ‘Next’ again

On the final screen click Done which will begin the download of the container images and once downloaded they will be launched!

The images will now be downloaded and extracted. You should see ‘Code 0’ when it has finished.

You will now see your vpn-project running both containers should have a green status on the left-hand side.

Error: “gluetun is unhealthy”

At this stage if you receive an error relating to GlueTUN being unhealthy there is likely an error in the config file, this usually relates to the provider specific elements. If you check the logs for the GlueTUN container it will tell you why it couldn’t connect. If you get stuck drop me a comment with a copy of the logs via https://paste.drfrankenstein.co.uk.

Firewall Exceptions

(Skip if you don’t have the Firewall configured)

If you have the Synology Firewall enabled please see this additional guide for further info on exceptions and correct set up.

Final Deluge Setup

As we have used /data/torrents as the mount point for our downloads we need to make sure Deluge uses this same file path.

We are going to do this by just changing the directory settings within Deluge.

Open a new browser tab and go to your NAS IP address on port 8112 (e.g. 192.168.0.46:8112)

Deluge by default has the password of ‘deluge’ to access the web UI, you can change or remove this later in the settings.

Next you will connect to the Deluge back end, just select the host and click connect, it will remember this going forward.

Now you are in the UI click on Preferences at the top of the screen, we are going to change the various folders to the settings shown in the screenshot/table below

Network

To be sure that Deluge only uses the TUN interface you next need to go to the Network options (second one down) and within the ‘Outgoing Interface’ enter ‘tun0’

Plugins

There are a couple of plugins you will want to enable. (If you are looking for something to unpack torrents that are zipped then follow the Unpackerr guide)

• Autoadd – This allows you to pull in any torrents in the watch directory
• Label – This allows Radarr/Sonarr to assigned labels and pull downloads into subdirectories – no additional configuration required for this plugin
• Auto Remove Plus – Download the ‘AutoRemovePlus-2.0.0-py3.8.egg’ version from the Deluge forums and place it in the Plugins’ folder in /docker/deluge/plugins. It allows you to fine tune when to remove torrents and their associated data once downloaded. (You may need to stop and start the container for this to appear)

That’s it you are completely set up! I recommend having a quick read through the FAQ as it covers some questions you may have!

FAQs

Q: My GlueTUN is unhealthy what can I do?

A: The GlueTUN logs should be your first point of call, they will tell you if you have key issues with the configuration that are sometimes easily remedied. If you are still stuck leave a comment on this post, include the contents of your compose and also the log file (Use my PrivateBin https://paste.drfrankenstein.co.uk) remove passwords or WireGuard keys!

Or Join Discord for some more immediate help..

Q: How can I update the GlueTUN containers?

A: See the Updating Containers section on the menu.

Q: How do I get my AirVPN details?

## Obtaining your WireGuard or OpenVPN details

- Login to your AirVPN account and go to the Client Area
- Click on `VPN Devices` and create a new device named `GlueTUN` (you can name this anything)
- Back in the Client Area select `Config Generator` and select the following:
  - Linux
  - Turn on either WireGuard or OpenVPN
  - Choose the newly created `GlueTUN` device
  - Select your preferred Server or Region
- Click Generate and download the config file.

### WireGuard Config
- In the config file you only require the following

Address = 10.141.x.x/32 #Nothing after this part
PrivateKey = uFdxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PresharedKey = 4s2xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Q: How can I be sure the VPN connection is working?

A: Go to the TorGuard Check My Torrent IP site, right-click on the Green banner and copy the link (it’s a Magnet link) Then add this link into Deluge and start the torrent. Keeping the site open after a few seconds the site will show the IP address of the connection it finds. This will be of the VPN provider not your home IP. (Please note the torrent doesn’t actually download anything it’s purely doing an IP check)

Q: Everything seems to be connected but nothing is downloading.

Are you using TorGuard – If so they block torrents on their US servers. Change to another country – Also while you are at it, you may need to configure port forwarding in your TorGuard account.

Try grabbing the Ubuntu torrent as that is a sure fire way of testing as generally it has over 3k seeds.

Q: My container doesn’t seem to start on a reboot even with the TUN script.

A: I have seen this a few times and usually relates to the VPN not completing its connection fast enough before containers using the VPN start. You can try setting an additional startup script by doing the following.

Head into Control Panel and go to Task Scheduler Click Create > Triggered Task > User Defined Task

In the ‘Task Settings’ tab enter the following and then click Save

sleep 120
docker-compose -f /volume1/docker/projects/vpnproject-compose/compose.yaml down 
wait
docker-compose -f /volume1/docker/projects/vpnproject-compose/compose.yaml up -d

Q: I tried to start Deluge / qBittorrent manually, and it says ‘Container must join at least one network’

A: This is due to the Synology Container Manager GUI not understanding that the container will be on the GlueTUN ‘network’. You will need to start the container via the Project as it is part of the overall Project compose.

Q: How can I add additional services to the VPN container?

A: Adding additional containers to the VPN network is very easy. As you can see in the example below I have added Prowlarr to the bottom of the compose. The only amendments are that the ‘network_mode’ uses the Gluetun container and the ports for Prowlarr have been moved up to the Gluetun containers ports section.

Also see the separate Prowlarr guide on the left menu for setting up FlareSolver (In the Extras section)

      - 9696:9696 # add this to the ports section of GlueTUN
#add the below to the bottom of the compose
  linuxserver-prowlarr:
    image: linuxserver/prowlarr:latest
    container_name: prowlarr
    environment:
      - PUID=1234 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_UID
      - PGID=65432 #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_GID
      - TZ=Europe/London #CHANGE_TO_YOUR_TZ
      - UMASK=022
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/prowlarr:/config
    network_mode: service:gluetun # run on the vpn network
    depends_on:
      gluetun:
        condition: service_healthy
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    restart: always

How can I use the Deluge ‘Thin Client’ aka Desktop Client?

This is fairly straight forward. First add the Daemon Port into the GlueTUN ports section so it is exposed and can be connected to.

      - 58846:58846 #Deluge Daemon

Save and Build the VPN Project, and then we need to allow a user access to the Deluge server.

Within /docker/deluge there is an AUTH file. Open this file using your favourite text editor and add a second line under the ‘localclient’

your-username:password1:10

Changing the your-username to whatever username you want to use followed after the : by a password you want. Leave the :10 this grants access to the Daemon.

Save the file and you should now be able to connect.

More will be added as questions come up

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