As a remote access VPN user, I know how crucial a smooth and secure login is. That’s why I’m thrilled to show you how to add Single Sign-On (SSO) to the FortiClient VPN for macOS. This feature lets you log in to the VPN with your work credentials, making it easier and more secure.
This guide will walk you through setting up FortiClient SSO for macOS VPN. We’ll cover the setup steps, including what you need before starting, configuring the FortiGate and identity provider, and how users connect. Whether you’re new to FortiClient SAML authentication or want to improve your FortiClient SSL VPN SAML setup, this guide will help you enable SSO and boost your VPN’s remote access.
Introduction
Remote work is becoming more common, making secure VPN access vital. The old way of logging into VPNs can be hard, needing users to remember more passwords. FortiClient with SAML SSO changes this.
The Need for SSO in Remote Access VPN Solutions
SSO solutions with SAML make remote VPN access better. They link the VPN login to your company’s login system. This lets users log in with their usual company credentials, making it easier and more secure.
Benefits of Using FortiClient with SAML SSO
- Seamless user experience: Users log in to the VPN with the same credentials they use for other work apps, avoiding the need for extra VPN passwords.
- Enhanced security: SAML SSO uses strong authentication from your identity provider, making VPN access more secure.
- Forticlient SAML SSO benefits include less IT support, as users won’t forget VPN passwords, and more productivity by not spending time on multiple logins.
Linking your remote access VPN SSO with your company’s identity system makes remote access smoother and safer. This boosts productivity and helps your IT team less.
Prerequisites
Before you start with Single Sign-On (SSO) in FortiClient for your macOS VPN, make sure your system is ready. You need FortiClient version 7.0 or later on your device. Also, your macOS must be 11 (Big Sur) or newer.
System Requirements for FortiClient on macOS
For a smooth FortiClient experience, your macOS device should meet these requirements:
- FortiClient version 7.0 or later
- Supported macOS versions: 11 (Big Sur) and above
Checking that your macOS device meets these criteria is key for a successful FortiClient setup. This ensures you can avoid problems and have a smooth VPN setup.
Downloading and Installing FortiClient
If you want a secure VPN on your macOS, FortiClient VPN-only is a great option. First, download the latest FortiClient software from the Fortinet support site.
Downloading is easy. Go to the Fortinet website, find the FortiClient section, and pick the macOS version. After downloading, open the .dmg file and follow the instructions to install FortiClient.
During installation, you’ll need to allow FortiClient to access some system resources. The installation wizard will help you with this. It makes sure the setup is smooth.
Whether you’re downloading forticlient for macos, installing forticlient on macos, or checking out the forticlient vpn client for mac, it’s easy and quick. After installing FortiClient, you’re ready for a secure VPN on your macOS.
Configuring FortiGate as the Service Provider
To enable Single Sign-On (SSO) for FortiClient VPN connections on macOS, start by setting up your FortiGate as the SAML service provider. This involves a few key steps. You’ll need to set up SAML users and groups, and adjust the SSL VPN settings for SAML authentication.
Setting Up SAML User and User Group
First, create a SAML user and add it to a user group on your FortiGate. This lets the FortiGate recognize and authenticate users with their SAML credentials. Here are the steps:
- Navigate to User & Authentication > SAML Profiles and create a new SAML profile.
- Configure the SAML entity ID, single sign-on and logout URLs, and import the identity provider’s certificate.
- Go to User & Authentication > User Definition and create a new SAML user.
- Associate the SAML user with the SAML profile you created earlier.
- Create a user group and add the SAML user to it.
Configuring SSL VPN Settings
Next, adjust the SSL VPN settings on your FortiGate to use SAML authentication. Here’s what you need to do:
- Navigate to VPN > SSL-VPN Settings and enable SAML authentication for the SSL VPN portal.
- Select the SAML profile you created earlier as the authentication method.
- Configure any other SSL VPN settings, such as the SSL VPN address, client settings, and so on.
By following these steps, you’ve set up the FortiGate as the SAML service provider. This makes it ready for seamless SSO integration with your identity provider and FortiClient VPN connections on macOS.
Setting Up the Identity Provider
To set up SAML SSO, we need to configure the identity provider (IdP). We’ll use FortiAuthenticator as the IdP. First, create a new SAML service provider in FortiAuthenticator and set up the necessary settings. Then, add users locally or import them from RADIUS or LDAP.
Configuring FortiAuthenticator as the IdP
Log into your FortiAuthenticator management console. Go to the “SAML” section and click “Create New” to set up a new SAML service provider. Name it, like “FortiGate VPN”. Then, set the following settings:
- Entity ID: A unique identifier for your FortiGate VPN service provider, like “https://vpn.example.com”
- ACS URL: The URL where your FortiGate sends assertions, usually “https://fortigate.example.com/remote/saml”
- SP-initiated Single Sign-On URL: The URL users go to start the SAML SSO process, often the same as the ACS URL
- NameID Format: Choose “Unspecified” or another format
- Signing Certificate: Upload the signing certificate from your FortiGate
Adding and Importing Users
With the FortiAuthenticator IdP set up, you can add or import users. For local users, go to the “Local Users” section and click “Create New”. Fill in the user’s details, like username, email, and password.
To import users from RADIUS or LDAP, go to the respective sections and set up the connection. After connecting, import the users and assign them to groups in FortiAuthenticator.
| Feature | FortiAuthenticator | RADIUS | LDAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| fortiauthenticator saml idp configuration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| add users to fortiauthenticator idp | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| import radius and ldap users to fortiauthenticator | No | Yes | Yes |
how to enable sso in forticlient for macos vpn
Enabling SAML SSO for VPN Tunnels
Now that you’ve set up the FortiGate and IdP, it’s time to enable SAML SSO for VPN tunnels in FortiClient on your macOS. The steps to enable saml sso in forticlient for macos are easy and quick.
Start by finding the VPN tunnel you want to set up in the FortiClient console. Once you’ve located it, click on “Enable Single Sign On (SSO) for VPN Tunnel”. This option lets users log in to the VPN with their work credentials through the SAML IdP. It makes the forticlient saml sso setup smoother.
By configuring saml sso in forticlient vpn, you’re using SAML-based authentication. This gives your users a secure and easy way to access the VPN from anywhere. It means they don’t have to remember their login details every time, making work easier and more convenient.
Enabling SAML SSO for VPN tunnels in FortiClient is the last step in setting up single sign-on for your macOS VPN. With this feature, your users get a fully integrated and easy remote access solution.
Connecting to the VPN with SAML Authentication
Connecting to the FortiClient VPN with SAML single sign-on (SSO) is easy and quick. When you start the VPN, FortiClient opens a browser window. It asks you to log in on the identity provider’s (IdP) page. This makes connecting to forticlient vpn with saml secure and smooth.
The forticlient saml login process is easy. After you log in on the IdP’s site, FortiClient sets up the VPN connection. This saml authentication for forticlient vpn means you don’t have to type in your login info. It makes working from home easier and faster.
- FortiClient shows a browser window for SAML authentication
- You put in your login details on the IdP’s page
- Once you’re logged in, the VPN connection is secure
- SAML SSO makes getting into the VPN easy for remote workers
Using SAML SSO, FortiClient makes VPN access simple and secure. It lets users quickly connect to work without losing security. This makes working from anywhere better for everyone, making teams more productive and happy.
Saving VPN Login Password with SAML
When using FortiClient for macOS VPN, you might want to save your VPN login password for ease. Luckily, FortiClient lets you do this, even with SAML authentication. But, this needs the identity provider (IdP) to support persistent sessions. If the IdP doesn’t keep sessions going, you’ll have to log in every time you connect to VPN.
IdP Persistent Session Requirements
To save your VPN password with FortiClient, your IdP must have certain features for persistent sessions. This way, your VPN login details are kept safe and used automatically for future connections. You won’t have to log in again.
Here are the main things your IdP needs for save vpn password with forticlient saml:
- The IdP must keep a persistent session after the first SAML login.
- The IdP must give a unique ID, like a session token or cookie, for FortiClient to remember the password.
- The IdP must keep the persistent session valid during the VPN connection, or until you log out yourself.
Make sure your IdP has these idp requirements for forticlient saml password save. Then, you can use the handy forticlient saml persistent session feature. This saves you time when logging into VPN.
Conclusion
This guide has shown how to add single sign-on (SSO) to the FortiClient VPN on macOS. Using SAML authentication makes remote access easier and more secure for users. It also boosts security by verifying identities strongly.
We looked at what you need before starting, like system requirements. Then, we showed how to set up FortiGate as the service provider and FortiAuthenticator as the identity provider. We also explained how to enable SAML SSO for VPN tunnels and connect to the VPN with SAML.
Following this guide, your organization can link the FortiClient VPN with your identity provider easily. This gives your macOS users a smooth and safe way to access the network from anywhere. It makes work better and more satisfying for users. It also makes your security stronger by using strong authentication from your identity system.
