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FortiClient VPN on Ubuntu: A Complete Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

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With remote work becoming increasingly prevalent, setting up a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) client is essential for many professionals. FortiClient provides a robust solution for secure remote access to corporate networks, but installing it on Ubuntu Linux can present unique challenges depending on your specific version. This comprehensive guide combines official Fortinet documentation with community-tested solutions to help you successfully install and configure FortiClient on your Ubuntu system.

Installation Methods: Repository vs. Direct Package

FortiClient offers two primary installation approaches for Ubuntu users, each with distinct advantages and considerations.

Official Repository Method (Recommended)

For Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS, Fortinet provides official repositories that simplify installation and future updates:

# Install GPG key for repository authentication wget -O - https://repo.fortinet.com/repo/forticlient/7.4/ubuntu22/DEB-GPG-KEY | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/repo.fortinet.com.gpg  # Add the repository to your system echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/repo.fortinet.com.gpg] https://repo.fortinet.com/repo/forticlient/7.4/ubuntu22/ stable non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/repo.fortinet.com.list  # Update package lists and install sudo apt-get update sudo apt install forticlient

For Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and 20.04 LTS, the repository structure differs slightly:

# For Ubuntu 18.04/20.04 with FortiClient 7.2 wget -O - https://repo.fortinet.com/repo/forticlient/7.2/ubuntu/DEB-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add - echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.fortinet.com/repo/forticlient/7.2/ubuntu/ /stable multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/repo.fortinet.com.list sudo apt-get update sudo apt install forticlient

Important Note: Ubuntu 24.04 users may encounter dependency issues even with repository installation, as some required packages have been deprecated in newer Ubuntu releases.

Direct DEB Package Installation

If you prefer downloading the package directly from the Fortinet support portal:

# Navigate to your download directory cd ~/Downloads  # Install the package (replace with your actual filename) sudo dpkg -i forticlient_vpn_7.4.0.1636_amd64.deb  # Fix any dependency issues sudo apt install -f

According to Fortinet community documentation, you can identify the free VPN version by its filename prefix: forticlient_vpn_[Versionwithbuildno].deb.

Ubuntu 24.04: Special Considerations

Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble Numbat) presents specific challenges due to deprecated dependencies. The Fortinet community forum documents a common error:

dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of forticlient: forticlient depends on libappindicator1 (>> 0) | libayatana-appindicator1 (>> 0); however: Package libappindicator1 is not installed. Package libayatana-appindicator1 is not installed.

Manual Dependency Resolution for Ubuntu 24.04

Before installing FortiClient on Ubuntu 24.04, manually install the required dependencies:

# Update system packages sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  # Download and install required dependencies cd ~/Downloads wget -O libappindicator1.deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/pool/main/liba/libappindicator/libappindicator1_0.4.92-7_amd64.deb wget -O libdbusmenu.deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/pool/main/libd/libdbusmenu/libdbusmenu-gtk4_18.10.20180917~bzr492+repack1-6_amd64.deb  # Install the dependencies sudo apt install -y ./libappindicator1.deb ./libdbusmenu.deb  # Now install FortiClient sudo apt install -y ./forticlient_vpn_7.4.0.1636_amd64.deb

Configuring Your VPN Connection

Once installed, you can configure FortiClient through both graphical interface and command-line options.

Graphical Interface Configuration

Launch FortiClient from your application menu or terminal (forticlient gui), then:

  1. Click Configure VPN
  2. Enter your connection details: Remote Gateway, Port (typically 443), and authentication credentials
  3. Click Save then Connect

Command-Line Configuration

For advanced users or server installations without GUI:

# Navigate to FortiClient directory cd /opt/forticlient  # Configure a VPN profile ./fortivpn edit <VPNProfileName>  # Connect using the profile ./fortivpn connect <VPNProfileName> -u <username>  # Disconnect when done ./fortivpn disconnect <VPNProfileName>

The CLI will prompt you for the remote gateway, SSL VPN port, authentication method, certificate settings, and invalid certificate warning preferences.

Common Troubleshooting Issues

Connection Establishment Problems

Error: "Disconnected because of error: Read packet from tunnel failed."

  • Solution: Verify VPN server reachability using ping or alternative access methods
  • Check local firewall settings and network restrictions
  • Review server logs for more detailed error information

Certificate-Related Errors

Error: "Load CA certificates failed" or "Failed create SSL."

  • Solution: Ensure CA certificates are properly installed on your system (typically in /etc/ssl/certs/)
  • Manually specify the correct certificate path in FortiClient configuration if necessary

Routing Table Issues

Error: "Backup routing table failed."

  • Solution: Run FortiClient with elevated privileges using sudo
  • Verify all dependencies are installed: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -f
  • Adjust AppArmor profiles if they're too restrictive for routing table modifications

Key Limitations and Considerations

  • VPN Protocol Support: FortiClient Linux currently supports SSL VPN only, not IPsec Dialup connections. For IPsec connections, consider using the native strongswan package instead.

  • Version Compatibility: Older FortiClient versions (6.x series) have different repository URLs and installation procedures than newer 7.x versions.

  • Architecture Support: Both x86_64 (AMD64) and ARM64 architectures are supported, but ensure you use the correct repository URL for your system architecture.

  • Free vs. Licensed Versions: The free version provides SSL VPN functionality but lacks advanced security features available in licensed editions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which Ubuntu versions are officially supported by FortiClient?

FortiClient 7.4 officially supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS. FortiClient 7.2 supports Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and 20.04 LTS. Older versions (7.0 and 6.4) support Ubuntu 16.04 through 20.04.

Why does installation fail on Ubuntu 24.04 with dependency errors?

Ubuntu 24.04 removed several older libraries that FortiClient still requires, particularly libappindicator1. You must manually download and install these dependencies from external repositories before installing FortiClient.

Can I use FortiClient for IPsec VPN connections on Ubuntu?

No, the Linux version of FortiClient currently supports only SSL VPN connections. For IPsec connections to FortiGate devices, you'll need to use alternative solutions like the native strongswan package.

How do I configure multiple VPN profiles in FortiClient?

You can configure multiple profiles using the CLI command ./fortivpn edit <VPNProfileName> for each connection. While you can have multiple profiles configured, you can only connect to one VPN at a time.

Where can I download the FortiClient package for Ubuntu?

You can download it from the official Fortinet Support Portal (requires account registration) or use the repository method outlined above for easier installation and updates.

What should I do if the GUI doesn't launch after installation?

Try running forticlient gui --disable-gpu-sandbox from the terminal. If issues persist, check for missing dependencies using sudo apt install -f and ensure all system updates are installed.

Disclaimer: FortiClient installation procedures may change with new releases. Always check the official Fortinet documentation for the most current instructions. Linux support may vary between free and licensed versions of FortiClient, with advanced features requiring Endpoint Management Server (EMS) licensing.