What is an SSL VPN in FortiGate?

With the SSL connection between you and your website, both parties share security for the exchange of data.

The SSL VPN function in FortiGate provides security from the public side of your firewall and allows web traffic to flow through the firewall without compromising security. The FortiGate SSL VPN is a software feature that works as a network service and does not require the need to purchase any additional hardware or software.

What is FortiClient? FortiClient provides web browser control through a centralized point. With FortiClient, you can access any website on any device with an Internet connection, regardless of the operating system. When you are online, you automatically appear in a "browsing window" on the desktop or your mobile devicelike the one you see on At any time you can choose which browser or device should be your "proxy".

A very basic question that always causes users lots of trouble when using the software comes with the configuration of a "virtual IP". Since the virtual IP has only one IP address which the IP pool that is created by FortiClient cannot recognize. In order to answer this question, we'll look at how to create a pool.

Configure a pool for a virtual IP. The configuration of a pool is as simple as setting the appropriate settings and clicking Create. Click the Pool tab and then click the Edit icon. 2. On the first page, input the Name, Address, and Default Pool Method.3. Check Port Forwarding.4. Click the Next button. 5. On the Second page, input the name of the virtual IP in the Virtual IP field. 6. Make the other settings accordingly to the IP Pool.

You can find more information and help in the FortiClient Knowledge Base here. How do I start the VPN? When you run the FortiClient server, the browser in the FortiClient will automatically change into the default browser, eg Internet Explorer, and log in by a virtual IP. For some users this might seem too slow, but FortiGate has a built-in timeout system, which allows you to choose how long the connection will persist if it takes longer than 10 minutes. The settings can be found in the FortiClient application (System > Network > Options). A quick overview of these settings is provided below.

What is the difference between SSL VPN and IPsec VPN FortiGate?

FortiGate provides the most advanced level of security, including VPN features at a price comparable to low-end gateway devices.

The FortiGate 1000 Series is one of the industry's first true end-to-end IPSec VPN appliances, combining VPN IPSec and firewalling to deliver a complete solution that is hard to defeat.

IPsec, or Internet Protocol Security, is a technology developed in the mid-1990s to encrypt IP packets using standard IP protocols to provide a VPN. It is designed for enterprise deployment only and may not be available on all endpoints, but it can provide a reliable, highly secure and secure remote access (or remote user) solution. IPSec-enabled hardware and software from vendors like Cisco Systems (NASDACSCO) and Check Point Software Technologies (NASDACHPK) offers high-end VPN functionality that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But, is it worth the money? How will it affect users? And what is the best IPSec solution? What is an IPSec VPN? An IPSec VPN uses a combination of virtual tunnels and secure key exchange protocols, providing encryption of data between endpoints or between a network endpoint and a remote user. While IPSec requires that each endpoint be capable of authenticating itself, it does not require them to have certificates.

IPSec can use either static or dynamic keys. Static keys are assigned at installation; however, if you move your remote users around within the network, those users may need to reconfigure their devices. With static keys, you must ensure that the same keys are not used twice. In contrast, dynamic keys are based on user-specific information which means they can be re-used if users move around the network, a key benefit for mobile users.

Why should I consider an IPSec VPN? While it may be more affordable than an IPSec solution, for a small business, IPSec VPNs offer enterprise-grade features and are generally quite secure and reliable. The primary benefit of an IPSec solution is the ability to create secure virtual tunnels between endpoints, such as remote access devices, workstations, servers and smartphones.

Why choose FortiGate?

What is the difference between site to site VPN and IPsec VPN and SSL VPN?

Let's say you have a network (site) with N hosts. And you want to securely tunnel over that network. Here's how it can be achieved:

Open VPN. Client connects to a VPN gateway (using OpenVPN), where it gets an IP from the server in a "public" range. It has no internal IP address, since it's located behind the firewall of the VPN provider. (This is "site-to-site" VPN.)
The server opens port 22 on its public IP to let the client do "authenticated and encrypted" connection with ssh. The server can set its internal IP as any it wants.

All the hosts, that connect to the VPN gateway will see the VPN gateway's public IP in the DNS-Namespace. To communicate with each other, they simply have to use the public IP, that they got from the VPN.

IKEv2. Client connects to a VPN gateway (using IKEv2), where it gets an IP from the server in a "public" range. (This is "site-to-site" VPN.)
The client configures the connection, creating a secure tunnel with the server in order to send/receive traffic. All the hosts, that connect to the VPN gateway will see the VPN gateway's public IP in the DNS-Namespace.

Client connects to a server in a "private" network. (It has its own IP address) The server does "transparent" connection (ie no configuring, no tunneling) to any host in its own network. All the hosts in the "private" network will see the server's internal IP in the DNS-Namespace, while they can also communicate with each other using the server's IP address.

Should I use IPsec or SSL VPN?

I have a basic understanding of the two, but want to make sure that I'm doing things correctly.

We are a small organization that will have 5-10 users connecting to a VPN.

The goal is to make the VPN secure so that they can access the company network (read only) as well as the internet. In addition, I'd like to be able to control user access and bandwidth usage. The users are all located in the same building. I've been told that the cost of the SSL VPN is prohibitively high.

IPsec has a slightly higher cost, but I think it will offer better security, because there is more to keep track of. Can someone please help me choose? Thanks! The IPsec tunnel is the way to go. For the setup, I'd look at Cisco's excellent VPN Appliance or PIX. It will take you through all the steps.

You will need to use a supported client with the VPN software, and if you can live without the GUI, then that's good. But I'd say it's a must-have for any deployment.

I'd also recommend you set up an encrypted tunnel on your WAN link. That way, if the link fails, it's not accessible (which it will if you don't). You can do this with a Cisco ISL.

IPsec is best. Security: it uses encryption (as you mention). IPsec also provides authentication, so you don't have to deal with username/password and you can have a password policy (ie strong password rules) Management: IPsec has a built in management interface, you can centrally manage users, groups and policies (all in a matter of minutes). Cost: you don't need a SSL server (IPsec does the encryption itself), so you only pay for the tunnel. SSL VPN should be enough for your needs.