Forticlient Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Case Western Reserve University provides remote users with secure access to the network over the VPN client. VPN is a point-to-point connection between a personal computer and CWRU servers. Users must first download the VPN client for their respective operating system. Once they are connected through VPN, users can utilize a web browser to access various tools within CWRU such as the Software Center. Only active members of the university have the ability to utilize VPN. Alumni do not have access to this service.

FortiClient AnyClient SSL VPN Client for CWRU Students, Faculty, and Staff only
This service provides remote users with secure VPN connections to the campus network via a 128-bit SSL encrypted tunnel. Like Cisco AnyConnect, FortiClient requires users to authenticate using Duo Security in order to establish a VPN connection to the university network. If you have not already enrolled in Duo Security, visit https://webapps.case.edu/duo/webauth.py.

Supported operating systems:

Alternatively download the FortiClient App for:

Access the Service

Using Duo Security with FortiClient

duo logo

Like Cisco AnyConnect, FortiClient requires users to authenticate using Duo Security in order to establish a VPN connection to the university network. If you have already enrolled in Duo Security, your enrolled device will automatically receive a "push" notification or phone call when you attempt to connect. You must approve the notification or answer the phone call in order to authenticate and establish your connection. If you have not already enrolled in Duo Security, visit https://webapps.case.edu/duo/webauth.py.

Alternative Ways to Authenticate Using Duo

Users can use FortiClient's password field to specify an authentication method. If you use the Duo Security app to generate a passcode, add a comma (",") to the end of your password, followed by the passcode. Example: given username 'abc123', with password 'password123' and a Duo passcode '123456', the following would be entered:

  1. Username: abc123
  2. Password: password123,123456

In lieu of a passcode, add one of the following bolded items after your password and comma (","):

  1. Push: If you have downloaded the Duo Security app to your enrolled device, this option will send a "push" notification to the device
    1. Username: abc123
    2. Password: password123,push
  2. Phone: This option will call your enrolled device
    1. Username: abc123
    2. Password: password123,phone
  3. SMS: This option will text a batch of passcodes to your enrolled device. While the first login attempt will fail, you will then use one of these SMS passcodes to successfully login on a second attempt.
    1. Username: abc123
    2. Password: password123,sms

When you have multiple devices enrolled in Duo

If you have multiple devices enrolled, you can specify which device you want to authenticate with by adding a numeral to the end of the string you enter into the password field. Returning to the example in the previous section, if you would like to send a push notification to you first enrolled device, you would enter the following

  1. Username: abc123
  2. Password: password123,phone1
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Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a point-to-point connection between a remote personal computer and the CWRU network. Case Western Reserve provides remote users with secure access to the network over the VPN client. Users must first download the client for their respective operating system.