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Seamless Connectivity: The Definitive Guide to FortiClient VPN Auto Connect

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In an era where the "anywhere office" is the standard, the friction of manual security logins can hinder productivity. Fortinet’s FortiClient 7.4.5 ecosystem addresses this through its sophisticated VPN Auto Connect features. This guide explores the technical architecture, configuration methods, and best practices for implementing a zero-touch VPN experience.

Understanding FortiClient VPN Auto Connect

Auto Connect is a feature designed to establish a secure tunnel to the FortiGate firewall automatically, without requiring manual intervention from the user. Depending on the organizational needs, this can be triggered at system startup, user login, or even before a user logs into Windows.

Key Benefits for Enterprises:

  • Enhanced Security: Ensures users are always behind the corporate firewall.
  • User Experience: Eliminates the "connect" button ritual, reducing helpdesk tickets.
  • Compliance: Guarantees that security policies (like web filtering) are active the moment a device touches the internet.

Core Authentication Strategies

The behavior of Auto Connect varies significantly based on the authentication method employed.

1. Username and Password Authentication

For standard credential-based logins, Auto Connect requires the "Save Password" feature to be enabled.

  • The Workflow: When the user logs into their workstation, FortiClient retrieves the encrypted credentials from the local cache and initiates the tunnel.
  • Requirement: The administrator must allow "Save Password" in the EMS (Endpoint Management Server) profile.

2. Certificate-Based Authentication

This is the "Gold Standard" for seamless connectivity. By using machine or user certificates stored in the Windows Certificate Store:

  • Seamlessness: The VPN connects instantly without prompting for a password.
  • Security: Multi-factor authentication is inherent in the possession of the certificate and the device.

3. Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) Integration

With the rise of cloud-native identities, FortiClient 7.4.5 allows Auto Connect using Entra ID logon session information.

  • How it works: When a user logs into a Windows device joined to Entra ID, FortiClient can leverage that existing session to authenticate the IPsec or SSL VPN tunnel via SAML.

Advanced Deployment Scenarios

VPN Before Logon (Start Before Logon)

One of the most critical features for domain-joined machines is the ability to connect to the VPN before the Windows login screen.

  • Purpose: This allows the machine to reach the Domain Controller for GPO updates, password changes, and script execution.
  • Configuration: Requires the "VPN Before Logon" component to be installed during the FortiClient deployment.

The "Always Up" Mechanism

While Auto Connect starts the connection, Always Up maintains it. If a user’s Wi-Fi drops or they switch networks, "Always Up" will continuously attempt to re-establish the tunnel until successful.

Technical Configuration: XML and EMS

For administrators, managing Auto Connect is typically done via the FortiClient EMS or direct XML configuration.

Enabling via XML Reference

To force Auto Connect in a custom installer or via manual XML upload, the following tags are utilized:

<vpn>     <options>         <autoconnect>1</autoconnect>         <autoconnect_on_install>1</autoconnect_on_install>         <keep_running>1</keep_running> </options> </vpn>

Note: Setting autoconnect to 1 enables the feature, while autoconnect_on_install triggers the first connection immediately after deployment.

Common Implementation Challenges

Several factors can impede Auto Connect:

  1. MFA Conflicts: If a physical token or Push notification is required, "Auto Connect" will still pause for user interaction unless using SAML/Entra ID with remembered sessions.
  2. External Network Detection: If the device is already on the internal office network, Auto Connect should be configured to stay idle to avoid "hairpinning" traffic.
  3. Certificate Expiry: Expired certificates are the #1 cause of Auto Connect failure in certificate-based environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I enable Auto Connect by default for all users?

Yes. This is best achieved through a FortiClient EMS Endpoint Profile. Under the VPN tunnel settings, you can toggle "Auto Connect" and "Always Up." When the profile is deployed, it overrides local client settings.

Does Auto Connect work with SSL VPN and IPsec?

Yes, FortiClient supports Auto Connect for both SSL and IPsec tunnels. However, IPsec is often preferred for "Before Logon" scenarios due to its faster handshake protocols at the system level.

Why does my VPN not auto-connect even though the setting is on?

The most common reason is that the "Save Password" option is not checked or is disabled by policy. If the client does not have a stored credential or a valid certificate, it cannot initiate the connection automatically.

Is Auto Connect secure if a laptop is stolen?

Security is a concern with saved credentials. It is highly recommended to use Certificate-based authentication combined with Device Identification (Host Check) in EMS to ensure that only authorized, compliant hardware can auto-connect.

Can I use Auto Connect with a Captive Portal (e.g., Hotel Wi-Fi)?

Auto Connect will attempt to connect, but will likely fail until the user completes the hotel's web-based login. Some versions of FortiClient offer a "Captive Portal Detection" feature to pause Auto Connect until internet access is truly available.

For further technical documentation, administrators should refer to the FortiClient 7.4.5 Administration Guide.