Connecting to SBU Computer Science Palo Alto Network GlobalProtect Gateway from Debian

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing OpenConnect and establishing a GlobalProtect SSL VPN connection to the Stony Brook University Computer Science network across various Linux distributions. 

Step 1: Install OpenConnect

Open a terminal window and run the installation command corresponding to your Linux distribution:

Distribution

Installation Command

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt install openconnect

CentOS

sudo yum install openconnect

Fedora

sudo dnf install openconnect

Step 2: Connect to the VPN

  1. Initiate Connection Command:
    Run the following command in terminal (replace username with your actual CS Active Directory User ID):
    sudo openconnect --protocol=gp --background --user='cs\username' vpn.cs.stonybrook.edu

  2. Enter Password:
    When prompted with Password:, enter your CS Active Directory password.

  3. Verify Active Session:
    Upon successful login, OpenConnect will display connection status details and return to running in the background:
    Connected as 130.245.X.X, using SSL, with ESP in progress
    Continuing in background: pid [Process-ID]

Step 3: Disconnect from the VPN

  1. Locate Process ID (PID):
    Find the running OpenConnect process ID using:
    pgrep -a openconnectTake note of the numerical process ID (PID) displayed at the beginning of the output line (e.g., 9089).

  2. Terminate the Connection:
    Terminate the background process using the identified PID:
    sudo kill <Process-ID>Example: sudo kill 9089
    Terminal output will confirm Logout successful and the process will exit cleanly.

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