Connect to the Equal Aqua VPN
Our network runs on NetBird, a self-hosted WireGuard mesh — every device connects directly and encrypted, with no traffic routed through an office server. Setup follows the same shape on any device: install, point it at our management server, connect, and sign in with your Equal Aqua account. The Android tab below walks through every screen.
https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443
Enter this exactly, port included, when the client asks for a self-hosted management server. On the sign-in screen, choose Continue with Microsoft Entra (not “Continue with Email”) and use your normal Equal Aqua email and password — there's no separate NetBird password to set.
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1
Download NetBird
Get the 64-bit Windows installer from the NetBird download page and run it.
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2
Choose “Self-hosted”
On first launch, NetBird asks where to connect. Select Self-hosted to reveal the management server field.
Already past that screen? Right-click the NetBird icon in the system tray → Settings → General → set Management Server to Self-hosted.
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3
Paste the server address
Enter
https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443as the management server URL. -
4
Connect
Click the NetBird icon in the system tray, then Connect.
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5
Sign in with SSO
A browser window opens. Choose Continue with Microsoft Entra, then sign in with your Equal Aqua email (approve the MFA prompt if you get one).
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1
Download NetBird
Get the macOS installer from the NetBird download page and run it. (Admins can instead install via Terminal or Homebrew, also on the download page.)
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2
Choose “Self-hosted”
On first launch, NetBird asks where to connect. Select Self-hosted to reveal the management server field.
Already past that screen? Click the NetBird icon in the menu bar → Settings → General → set Management Server to Self-hosted.
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3
Paste the server address
Enter
https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443as the management server URL. -
4
Connect
Click the NetBird icon in the menu bar, then Connect.
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5
Sign in with SSO
A browser window opens. Choose Continue with Microsoft Entra, then sign in with your Equal Aqua email (approve the MFA prompt if you get one).
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1
Install the client
Use the package for your distribution from the NetBird download page (apt, yum, pacman, or the install script all work).
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2–3
Point it at our server
From a terminal:
netbird up --management-url https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443 -
4
Connect
The command above both sets the server and brings the connection up in one step — there's no separate tray icon to click.
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5
Sign in with SSO
NetBird prints a login URL in the terminal (or opens a browser automatically). Open it, choose Continue with Microsoft Entra, and sign in with your Equal Aqua email.
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2
Continue past the welcome screen
On first launch NetBird explains it defaults to its own cloud servers — that's fine, you'll point it at ours next. Tap Continue.
Screens below are from the Android app, shown for reference — NetBird's iOS layout is nearly identical.
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3
Open the menu
From the Disconnected home screen, tap the menu icon in the top-left corner.
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4
Tap “Change Server”
In the menu that slides out, select Change Server.
If the app already has an account set up, it'll warn you that this erases the local config and disconnects the current one — confirm to continue.
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5
Enter the server address
Type
https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443into the Server field and confirm the change.
You'll see a confirmation — tap OK.
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6
Connect
Back on the main screen, tap the large circular button.
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7
Sign in with SSO
On the sign-in page, choose Continue with Microsoft Entra — not “Continue with Email.”
Then sign in with your Equal Aqua email and password.
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8
You're connected
The button turns solid and the screen shows Connected along with your device's NetBird address.
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2
Continue past the welcome screen
On first launch NetBird explains it defaults to its own cloud servers — that's fine, you'll point it at ours next. Tap Continue.
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3
Open the menu
From the Disconnected home screen, tap the menu icon in the top-left corner.
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4
Tap “Change Server”
In the menu that slides out, select Change Server.
If the app already has an account set up, it'll warn you that this erases the local config and disconnects the current one — tap Yes to continue.
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5
Enter the server address
Type
https://netbird.equalaqua.org:443into the Server field and tap Change.You'll see a confirmation — tap OK.
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6
Connect
Back on the main screen, tap the large circular button.
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7
Sign in with SSO
On the sign-in page, choose Continue with Microsoft Entra — not “Continue with Email.”
Then sign in with your Equal Aqua email and password.
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8
You're connected
The button turns solid and the screen shows Connected along with your device's NetBird address.
How to tell it worked
The NetBird icon shows Connected, and your device appears as a new peer in the admin panel. If it hangs on “Connecting,” a new peer may need approval — ping IT.
Need a hand?
Stuck on any step, or unsure which account to use? Reach out to your IT administrator with a screenshot of where you're stuck.