FortiGate SSL VPN Setup for Secure Remote Access

Setting up a FortiGate SSL VPN is a straightforward process that provides secure remote access to your network.

First, ensure you have a valid FortiGate SSL VPN license, which can be obtained from the Fortinet support website.

To begin the setup, log in to your FortiGate device and navigate to the SSL VPN portal.

Before you start setting up your FortiGate SSL VPN, make sure you have the right foundation in place. You'll need a FortiGate firewall with an active internet connection.

Having a FortiGate firewall is crucial for this setup, so ensure it's up and running. Administrative access to the FortiGate web interface or CLI is also essential for configuration.

You'll also need a valid SSL certificate, which is optional but highly recommended for added security. This will help establish a secure connection between your clients and the FortiGate firewall.

A user authentication method is also required, which can be one of the following: local users, LDAP, RADIUS, or Active Directory.

Here are the specific prerequisites you'll need to meet:

To set up your FortiGate SSL VPN, you'll need to log in to the web interface, which can usually be accessed from the trusted network (LAN) of the device. From there, navigate to Network > Interfaces to note down certain network information that you'll need to enter into the VPN client later.

To configure the SSL VPN feature, you'll need to enable it by running the command `config system settings set gui-sslvpn enable end`. This will allow you to configure the interface and firewall address, which is crucial for establishing the SSL VPN connection.

You'll also need to configure the user and user group, which involves setting up a local user with a password, and creating a user group that includes that user. This will allow you to manage access to the SSL VPN tunnel.

To configure the SSL VPN web portal, you'll need to create a new portal and set its tunnel mode to enable, as well as configure the IP pools and authentication rules. This will allow users to access the internal network through the SSL VPN tunnel.

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To configure the SSL VPN firewall policies, you'll need to create two policies: one to allow remote users to access the internal network, and another to allow outgoing traffic from the internal network to the remote client. This will ensure that traffic is properly routed through the SSL VPN tunnel.

To complete the setup, you'll need to download the FortiClient software and configure it to connect to the SSL VPN tunnel using the credentials you've set up. Once connected, you'll be able to access the internal network through the tunnel, and monitor the SSL VPN users and traffic on the FortiGate appliance.

Here's a summary of the steps to configure the SSL VPN feature:

Authentication is a crucial step in setting up a FortiGate SSL VPN. Choose Pre-shared Key as your authentication method and select IKE Version 2.

To configure login credentials, create a new user by selecting an existing group or clicking the + icon to create a new one. This will be the login you use to access your FortiGate VPN Setup later in the VPN client.

You can add contact info if desired, such as a company email address, and then select an existing User Group or create a new one by clicking the + icon. If you're creating a new User Group, select Firewall as the Type.

Authentication is a crucial step in setting up a VPN. You can choose Pre-shared Key as your authentication method, which is mentioned in Example 2.

To configure Pre-shared Key, you'll need to follow these steps. Choose IKE Version 2, as it's recommended for a secure connection.

Here are the specific settings you'll need to make:

This will ensure that your VPN connection is secure and reliable. By following these steps, you'll be able to set up a robust authentication system for your VPN.

The Portal is where users will access your network. It's a crucial part of the FortiGate VPN setup.

To configure the SSL VPN Portal, you'll need to log in to the FortiGate Web GUI. This is the interface where you'll make most of your configuration changes.

Navigate to VPN > SSL-VPN Portals, where you'll find a list of existing portals. Click Create New to start setting up a new portal.

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a new SSL VPN Portal:

A well-configured portal is essential for secure and seamless user access. By following these steps, you'll be able to create a portal that meets your organization's needs.

Security is a top priority when setting up a FortiGate SSL VPN. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection.

Keeping your FortiGate firmware updated is crucial to ensure you have the latest security patches and features. Regular updates will help prevent vulnerabilities and keep your VPN secure.

Implementing strict access control policies will help limit who can access your VPN and what they can do once they're connected. This will help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of a security breach.

Monitoring your VPN logs regularly will help you identify any potential security issues before they become major problems. This is a crucial step in maintaining the security and integrity of your VPN.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

SAML and SSO is a crucial part of FortiGate SSL VPN setup. To enable SAML and SSO, you need to establish a link relationship between a Microsoft Entra user and the corresponding SAML SSO user group in FortiGate SSL VPN.

To configure Microsoft Entra SSO, sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as at least a Cloud Application Administrator. Browse to Entra ID > Enterprise apps > FortiGate SSL VPN application integration page, in the Manage section, select single sign-on.

On the Select a single sign-on method page, select SAML. On the Set up Single Sign-On with SAML page, select the Edit button for Basic SAML Configuration to edit the settings. You need to enter the following values: Identifier, Reply URL, Sign on URL, and Logout URL.

These values are just patterns. You need to use the actual Sign on URL, Identifier, Reply URL, and Logout URL that's configured on the FortiGate. FortiGate support needs to supply the correct values for the environment.

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The FortiGate SSL VPN application expects SAML assertions in a specific format, which requires you to add custom attribute mappings to the configuration. To create custom attribute mappings, go to the User Attributes & Claims section and select Edit.

You need to add a claim for username and group. To add a claim, select Add new claim. For Name, enter username, and for Source attribute, select user.userprincipalname. Select Save.

To add a group claim, delete the existing group claim user.groups [SecurityGroup] and select Add a group claim. Select All groups and under Advanced options, select the Customize the name of the group claim check box.

In the SAML Signing Certificate section, select the Download link next to Certificate (Base64) to download the certificate and save it on your computer.

Here is the list of claims required by FortiGate SSL VPN:

To set up a FortiGate SSL VPN, you need to configure firewall policies.

Navigate to Policy & Objects > Firewall Policy to get started.

You'll need to create a new policy by clicking the + button.

Enable NAT if necessary, then click OK to save your changes.

Here are the steps to create a new firewall policy in a concise format:

To set up the SSL tunnel, you'll need to go to the VPN tab and select SSL-VPN Portals, then click Create new to start the process.

The first step in setting up the tunnel is to enable split tunneling, which allows VPN users to access specific network ranges. This is done by clicking the slider to Enable Split Tunneling.

You'll need to choose the network ranges your VPN users need to have access to, such as a local area network (LAN). Enter these network ranges in the designated field.

Once you've selected the network ranges, click OK to save your settings and create the new SSL-VPN Portal. This will allow VPN users to access the specified network ranges through the SSL VPN tunnel.

You can configure FortiGate SAML from the CLI or GUI. The CLI configurations are applicable to all versions, while the GUI configurations are available since FortiOS 7.0. To complete the CLI configuration, you need the values you recorded earlier.

To enable SSO, you need to establish an SSH session to your FortiGate appliance and sign in with a FortiGate Administrator account. Then, run the commands to substitute the values you collected previously, including the FortiGate VPN Server Certificate Name, Identifier (Entity ID), Reply URL, Logout URL, and Base64 SAML Certificate Name.

The equivalent Azure configuration includes the Identifier (Entity ID), Reply URL, Logout URL, Azure AD Identifier, Azure Login URL, Azure Logout URL, and Base64 SAML Certificate Name. Here's a table showing the mapping between FortiGate SAML CLI settings and equivalent Azure configurations:

To complete the command-line configuration on your FortiGate appliance, you need to establish an SSH session and sign in with a FortiGate Administrator account. This is a crucial step that sets the stage for the rest of the configuration process.

The first command to run is "config user saml edit azure", which allows you to configure the SAML settings for Azure. You'll need to substitute the values with the information you collected previously, including the FortiGate VPN Server Certificate Name, Identifier (Entity ID), Reply URL, Logout URL, Azure AD Identifier, Azure Login URL, Azure Logout URL, Base64 SAML Certificate Name, username, and group.

The SAML configuration is a critical part of the process, as it enables single sign-on (SSO) between your FortiGate appliance and Azure. By configuring the SAML settings correctly, you can ensure seamless authentication and access to your network resources.

To configure the SAML settings, you'll need to run the following commands:

Connecting to FortiGate SSL VPN on your iOS device is a straightforward process. You'll need a VPN client like VPN Tracker to get started.

To connect, open the VPN Tracker FortiGate SSL connection creator. This will guide you through the setup process. Enter the WAN IP address (or hostname) of your FortiGate device, then follow the remaining steps in the connection assistant.

Once you've completed the setup wizard, securely save your connection to your account using end-to-end encryption. This will ensure your connection remains secure.

With VPN Tracker, you can now connect to your FortiGate VPN Setup using SSL VPN on your iPhone and iPad.

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