Pytheas VPN Client

  • 5 mins read

In computer science, a virtual private network (VPN) is a system that creates a direct link between remote computers and a company network. Within the framework of the OSU and its laboratories, this will allow you, for example, to access so-called intranet resources that are generally inaccessible via the Internet, outside the OSU perimeter. This concerns for example your home or external wifi networks such as Eduroam. Once the VPN is correctly configured, you will be able to use the Data Storage service (network drives). To work there are two essential prerequisites:

  • A sufficiently stable internet connectivity with a correct speed.
  • The network in which you are located must not block VPN type flows. This is sometimes the case with hotel wifi access points or in train stations/airports.

Download the software  

This VPN client works with MAC, Windows and Linux, you can download the client that corresponds to your operating system, by going to the download page:

or

Tutorial for use with MacOS

Double click on install.mpkg

At the installation program, click on Continue

At the license agreement, click Continue:

Accept the licence agreement:

Finally click on Install:

Your computer will ask you for the session password.

Finish by Installing the software

You can put the installation program in the recycle bin, it will not be useful anymore!

From now on you can launch “Forticlient” via the application menu, you will also find it in your taskbar as a small shield:

The first time you use it, you will have to create the connection.

Click on Open a Forticlient console:

Then click on “Remote Access” and on the arrow Add a new connection:

Finally, fill in the window as below. Remember to change the username “mylogin” to your OSU Pytheas login.


Finish by clicking on Add.

From now on, to work on services/servers internal to the OSU laboratories, you will just have to click on connect to Pytheas VPN. You will be asked for your email password.

At this stage you have access to the intranet services. If you are denied access, please open a ticket on https://assistance.osupytheas.fr

Tutorial for use with Windows.

Launch the .exe executable and wait for the download

Accept the conditions and click on Next

Finally, click on Install:

You should now have the FortiClient icon in the taskbar.
Click Open FortiClient console. This will allow us to add the Initial VPN configuration.

In the window, accept the conditions and click on “Configure VPN“.

Finally, fill in the window as below. Remember to change the username “mylogin” to your OSU Pytheas login.

  • Connection name : VPN Pytheas
  • Description : VPN Pytheas
  • Remote gateway : vpn.osupytheas.fr
  • Leave the other fields as default, or you can pre-fill your username, which you’ll be asked to enter later.

From now on, to work on services/servers internal to the OSU laboratories, you will just have to click on Connection to VPN Pytheas. You will be asked for your email password.

You can see that network traffic is flowing through the tunnel when you go into the console.

At this stage you have access to the intranet services. If you are denied access, please open a ticket on https://assistance.osupytheas.fr

Linux installation

The linux tool works on the command line. It is based on the OpenSource package “OpenFortiClient”.

Fedora before version 33:

Install le package:

sudo dnf install openfortivpn

Add a shortcut to launch the VPN:

sudo echo “Cmnd_Alias  OPENFORTIVPN = /usr/bin/openfortivpn

Add a group of users in the people entitled to launch the VPN with “sudo”. Replace %group with a group where you are located.

%group       ALL = (ALL) OPENFORTIVPN” > /etc/sudoers.d/openfortivpn

Edit the configuration file:

sudo vim /etc/openfortivpn/config

# config file for openfortivpn, see man openfortivpn(1)
host = vpn.osupytheas.fr
port = 443
username = identifiant
password = xxxxxxx

Fedora from version 33 onwards:

sudo dnf install NetworkManager-fortisslvpn.x86_64
sudo dnf install NetworkManager-fortisslvpn-gnome.x86_64
sudo dnf install openfortivpn.x86_64
Then choose the VPN in the network menu of fedora (“+”) and enter the information (vpn.osupytheas.fr and your login)

Debian/Ubuntu/Mint:

Download the deb file

Install the package and run it (FortiClient SSLVPN).

This package is compatible with all ubuntu versions (16 and higher)

You can force the installation by issuing the following commands from a terminal:

sudo dpkg -i forticlient-sslvpn*.deb

sudo /opt/forticlient-sslvpn/64bit/helper/setup

Click on “Settings” then “+” and enter the following information:

  • Connection:VPN Pytheas
  • Server: vpn.osupytheas.fr :443
  • User: your_login_OSU
  • Password: your_password
  • Leave the “Certificate” and “Password” fields blank, then click “Create”.

Note: If you receive the message “The certificate for the SSLVPN server is invalid”, click “Continue”.

The “Status” field should read “Tunnel running”.