Skip to content

VPN Documentation

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to connect securely to a network (i.e. the ODU CS network) and access private network resources that aren't available outside of the network. When you connect to the CS Department VPN, no matter where you are, it is similar to connecting your computer directly to our wireless Internet.
More can be found here

The following are instructions on how to connect to the CS VPN

Installation Windows

1.Download the forticlient windows installer

2.Run the installer and proceed through the setup wizard
Windows Forticlient Step 2 3.Read and accept the license agreement, select the installation folder and click Next, followed by install
Windows Forticlient step 3 4.Once the installation is finished, click Finish

Windows Forticlient Step 4

💡 The installation process might take a minute

5.Follow the configuration instructions to connect

Installation MacOS

  1. Download the forticlient mac installer

  2. Open and run the downloaded FortiClient.dmg file
    Forticlient MacOS step 2
    Forticlient MacOS step 2 Forticlient MacOS Step 2

  3. Run the FortiClientUpdate package and select Open to download and install Forticlient VPN
    Forticlient MacOS Step 3
  4. After a successful installation, it will ask for permission to add FortiTray VPN configurations to your device, click allow to continue
    Forticlient MacOS step 4
  5. Follow the configuration instructions to connect

Installation Linux

1.Download the forticlient linux installer

2.Double click the downloaded file, and choose what to open the download with
Linux Forticlient step 2

You might need to "Enable Third Party Software Repositories" when prompted

3.Installing

  • For Debian Systems: Click the install button
    Linux Forticlient step 3
  • For Fedora Systems: Click the install button
    Linux Forticlient Step 3

4.Follow the configuration instructions to connect

Configuration

  1. Open FortiClient VPN
  2. Click the acknowledgement agreement box and then "I Accept"
    Configuration Forticlient Step 1
  3. Click "Configure VPN"

  4. Enter the configuration for the VPN as follows:

    • VPN: SSL-VPN
    • Connection name: Name of your choosing (e.g CS VPN)
    • Description: any
    • Remote Gateway: fortivpn.cs.odu.edu
      • Check the "Customize Port" box and enter 4443
    • Check the "Enable Single Sign On (SSO) for VPN Tunnel" box
      • Check the "Use external browser as user-agent for saml user authentication" box Configuration Forticlient Step 4

  5. Click "Save"

  6. Select the created VPN connection from the "VPN Name" drop down, and click "Connect"
    Configuration Forticlient step 6
  7. A browser tab will open a window where you can log in with your CS credentials Configuration Forticlient Step 7

💡 Reminder that your CS login credentials start with cs_ 8.Complete the connection with Duo 💡 Duo supports One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Push Notifications - choose the option that works best for you as you will be prompted to complete this for each connection attempt 9.If you wish to modify your configuration: next to "VPN Name", select your configuration, click on the burger menu and click "Edit the selected connection"
Configuration Forticlient Step 7

Troubleshooting

To assist you with issues connecting to the VPN, please following the following steps:

1.Restart your device and try connecting to the VPN again. 2.Make sure that your device meets the minimum requirements for connecting to the ODU VPN, which include:

  • Windows 7 or later
  • MacOS 10.10 or later
  • Any modern linux distribution

3.Check your network connection to ensure a stable and reliable connection 4.If you are stuck on "Connecting", please download vc redist 64 5.If the issue persists, contact us through mail: root@cs.odu.edu 📧 6.Make sure to download the right version of the vpn. See picture below.

  • The link to install is on the bottom the webpage.

correct vpn

Chat with Archibald

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Archibald is an AI assistant for the ODU CS Systems Group. Information provided is based on internal documentation and policies. The responses are automatically generated and may not always be accurate or complete. The prompts you provide will be used to further develop our AI in the hopes of generating better answers. You must be connected to the VPN to chat.