Fortigate 80C 4.0 OS able to use new Forticlient IPSEC VPN?

[lancorp]

We have an older Fortigate 80C running v4.0,build0303,101214 (MR2 Patch 3). We currently have a few Windows 7 remote clients using an older version of the Fortigate VPN client but now we have a user with a new notebook with Windows 8.1. I downloaded the new Forticlient software (with integrated AV, etc.) but cannot get the simplistic VPN configuration to work with our existing VPN policy on the Fortigate. Am I spinning my wheels trying to get this working or does the 80C need newer OS for this to work? The logs on the 80C look like Phase 1 completes but never any log entries for Phase 2 and the VPN client just says " Connecting" . Any other free or low-cost VPN software that is known to work (Greenbow or Shrewnet)?? Thank you!

[rwpatterson]

Welcome to the forums. Why not upgrade the 80C to something published in the past year or so? After that you could upgrade the SSL VPN clients to a far newer version that may work on all platforms. For example: Using FGT V4.3.14, I can use the SSL VPN client version 4.0.2281 on Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Not sure about 8.1 though.

[lancorp]

Where can I get 4.3? We don' t have current support on the unit. Is a current support contract required to get updates (I' m guessing it is). Also, does upgrading to 4.3 keep the existing configuration or will I lose our config if I upgrade? FWIW, I' m mostly a Sonicwall person. I have one client with this Fortigate while I get by with figuring out the basics, these devices really don' t work like the Sonicwalls that I' m familiar with. Thanks for your help. ps. We' re doing IPSEC VPN now, no SSL VPN.

[rwpatterson]

Yes, an upgrade is a contracted solution. If you happen to get the upgrade package, an upgrade may or may not keep the current configuration. You have to read the release notes that accompany the firmware that you are installing. Most of the time things are fine. Sometimes certain sections may not come across. That' s all in the release notes. IPSec VPN is another item all together. I' m not as verse on the Forticlient side since we don' t use it in our organization. I' m not sure where you would ideally need to be to have your one version fits all. A good guess would be at just about the same as the SSL VPN version that I mentioned.