Tailscale Embedded Remote Access (tsnet)
ActonOS embeds Tailscale tsnet directly into the core Go daemon binary. This provides zero-configuration, end-to-end encrypted remote access across home networks, mobile devices, and cloud VPS instances without opening inbound firewall ports or managing dynamic DNS.
1. How Embedded tsnet Works
Unlike traditional setups that require installing a separate system-level VPN daemon, ActonOS links the pure-Go tailscale.com/tsnet library directly into the actond binary:
- Isolated Virtual Network Stack: Operates without modifying host routing tables or network interfaces.
- Automatic HTTPS TLS Certificates: Provisions valid Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS certificates automatically for your Tailscale machine name (
https://acton.<tailnet>.ts.net). - Zero Port Forwarding: Traverses NATs, CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT), and corporate firewalls seamlessly via DERP relays and direct UDP WireGuard tunnels.
2. Headless Provisioning via Environment Variable
In containerized or automated deployments, you can pass a Tailscale auth key directly during startup:
docker run -d \
--name actonos \
-p 8080:8080 \
-v acton-data:/data \
-e TAILSCALE_AUTH_KEY=tskey-auth-xxxxxx-xxxxxx \
ghcr.io/actonos/actonos:latest
ActonOS will automatically join your Tailscale tailnet, acquire an IP (e.g., 100.x.y.z), and log its secure URL in the system startup logs.