What is MIME type "application/x-openvpn-profile"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/x-openvpn-profile marks configuration data for an OpenVPN connection. It stores details like server addresses, ports, and encryption settings. These details help a VPN client connect securely to a network.

A file with this profile, such as OVPN, is used directly by the OpenVPN client to establish a VPN tunnel. This profile simplifies network setup by pre-loading all necessary configurations into the client.

Main Use: Configuring and automating secure VPN connections.
Key Fact: It contains all connection parameters needed for a secure tunnel.
Key Fact: It supports multiple configurations for various network environments.
Key Fact: Frequently used by IT professionals and network administrators.

For more details, visit OpenVPN's official site.

Associated file extensions

.ovpn

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-openvpn-profile

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-openvpn-profile">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-openvpn-profile');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ovpn

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.