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About FAU VPN
FAU VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the FAU network so you can access certain University resources from outside networks.
VPN access must be requested before you can connect. To request access, open a service request through the FAU Help Desk.
FAU VPN supports the following operating systems:
- Windows: Windows 11, 64-bit
- Mac: macOS 10.13 or later
- Android: Android 7.0 or later
- iPhone and iPad: iOS 12 or later
Before you begin: Install the FortiClient VPN-only client. You will also need your FAU email address and password to complete FAU single sign-on.
VPN provides access to certain University resources. It does not provide direct access for system administration functions or sensitive data outside of Banner and Workday.
To access those resources, connect to an on-campus desktop or a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) session after connecting to VPN.
- While connected, all internet traffic is routed through FAU.
- For non-work activities, including streaming services, disconnect from VPN for the best connection speeds.
- VPN sessions expire after 10 hours. Sessions cannot be extended; reconnect when the session expires.
- You may disconnect and reconnect before the 10-hour expiration without having to authenticate again.
Set Up VPN on Windows
Download FortiClient VPN-only and create an FAU VPN connection.
Install FortiClient
- Go to the Fortinet Product Downloads page.
- Find and download the FortiClient VPN-only client for Windows.
- Accept the end-user license agreement and complete the installation.
- Open FortiClient VPN from the desktop shortcut or Start menu.
Configure and Connect
- Select Configure VPN or create a new VPN connection.
- Enter the following settings:
- Connection Name: Choose any name, such as FAU VPN or Boca VPN.
- Remote Gateway:
vpnboca.fau.edu
- Enable Single Sign On (SSO) for VPN Tunnel: Select this option.
- Use external browser as user-agent for SAML user authentication: Select this option.
- Select Save.
- Select SAML Login and complete the FAU single sign-on prompts.
Set Up VPN on Mac
Download FortiClient VPN-only, approve the required macOS permissions, and create an FAU VPN connection.
Install FortiClient
- Go to the Fortinet Product Downloads page.
- Download the FortiClient VPN-only client for macOS.
- Open the downloaded .dmg file.
- Double-click FortiClientUpdate and follow the installation prompts.
- When the download completes, select Install.
Approve Required macOS Permissions
- If macOS displays a system-extension prompt, select Open System Settings.
- Select Allow when prompted to allow FortiTray to add VPN configurations.
- In System Settings, select Allow if macOS reports that system software from FortiTray was blocked from loading.
- If FortiClient requests access to files in your Documents folder, select OK.
- On newer macOS versions, open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Network Extensions, then enable FortiTray.app.
Configure and Connect
- Select the FortiClient menu-bar icon, then select Open FortiClient Console.
- Select Configure VPN.
- Enter the following settings:
- Connection Name: Choose any name, such as FAU VPN or Boca VPN.
- Remote Gateway:
vpnboca.fau.edu
- Enable Single Sign On (SSO) for VPN Tunnel: Select this option.
- Use external browser as user-agent for SAML user authentication: Select this option, if available.
- Select Save.
- Select SAML Login, enter your FAU email address when prompted, and complete the FAU single sign-on process.
Troubleshooting
Use these steps for common FortiClient installation and connection issues.
- Confirm that you have requested and received VPN access.
- Verify that the remote gateway is
vpnboca.fau.edu.
- Confirm that SSO is enabled. On Windows, also confirm that the external-browser option for SAML authentication is selected.
- Select SAML Login and sign in with your FAU email address and password.
- Close and reopen FortiClient, then try again.
- On a Mac, confirm that FortiTray is enabled under System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Network Extensions.
Some University resources require you to connect to an on-campus desktop or VDI session after connecting to VPN. VPN does not provide direct access for system administration functions or sensitive data outside of Banner and Workday.
Still Need Help?
To request VPN access or get help installing or connecting to FortiClient, open a service request through the FAU Help Desk or call 561-297-3999.