Skip to main content

Clarkson VPN Connection Instructions

To access some Clarkson IT resources while not on the Clarkson wired or eduroam wireless networks, you will need to install and connect to the Clarkson VPN.  If you think you need VPN access and have not previously requested it from the HelpDesk, please call (315)268-4357 or email the Helpdesk at helpdesk@clarkson.edu for assistance.

Before connecting, you must install the Clarkson VPN client. Read here for steps to install Clarkson VPN Client. 

Connecting on Windows 10 or 11

Connect Before Login

First time logging into your laptop? You must connect to VPN before logging in.

Connect Before Login

  1. Press CTRL-ALT-DEL to bring up the Windows login screen
  2. Below the password box, select "Sign-in options"
  3. Click the FortiClient icon
    Forticlient-sbl-icon.jpg
  4. Enter your username and password as usual
    sbl-login.png
  5. Respond to the Duo prompt on your device
  6. When your Windows login has completed, you will also be connected to the Clarkson VPN. You can confirm by hovering over the FortiClient icon in the taskbar
    sbl-connected.png
Connect After Login

If you have recently changed networks (wired to WiFi, work to home, etc.) or your laptop has recently been opened or started from hibernation, you may experience a delay in connecting to the VPN.  If this occurs, please wait two minutes with the laptop on and connected to a network and retry the process below.

    Click the FortiClient icon in your taskbar
    iconontaskbar.png Select Connect to "Clarkson VPN"
    clicktoconnect.png
    Your default browser will open or open a new tab. If you do not already have a CAS login session, you will be prompted to login Once your login is complete, the FortiClient will complete your connection, then minimize itself. You can confirm you are connected by hovering over the FortiClient icon in the taskbar
    hover-over-connected.png
    You can close the browser tab that FortiClient opened
    browsertabafterauth.png
    Connecting on iOS Devices
      Launch the FortiClient app and tap the "VPN" tab at the bottom
      FortiClientVPNtab.jpg Confirm your "Connections" indicates "Clarkson VPN". If it does not, please see https://bookstack.clarkson.edu/books/general-knowledge-base/page/clarkson-vpn-installation-instructions before proceeding Tap the switch on "VPN"
      vpn-switch.jpg
      You will be switched to a browser to login with your usual Clarkson login After completing the login process, you will be returned to the FortiClient app and should see you are connected
      vpnconnected.jpg To disconnect, tap the VPN switch again to turn off.

      Connecting on Windows 10 or 11

      You can connect to the Clarkson VPN either before logging into your laptop or after.  If this is your first time logging into your laptop, you must connect before logging in.

      Connect Before Login

      1. Press CTRL-ALT-DEL to bring up the Windows login screen
      2. Below the password box, select "Sign-in options"
      3. Click the FortiClient icon
        Forticlient-sbl-icon.jpg
      4. Enter your username and password as usual
        sbl-login.png
      5. Respond to the Duo prompt on your device
      6. When your Windows login has completed, you will also be connected to the Clarkson VPN. You can confirm by hovering over the FortiClient icon in the taskbar
        sbl-connected.png

      Connect After Login

      If you have recently changed networks (wired to WiFi, work to home, etc.) or your laptop has recently been opened or started from hibernation, you may experience a delay in connecting to the VPN.  If this occurs, please wait two minutes with the laptop on and connected to a network and retry the process below.

      1. Click the FortiClient icon in your taskbar
        iconontaskbar.png
      2. Select Connect to "Clarkson VPN"
        clicktoconnect.png
      3. Your default browser will open or open a new tab. If you do not already have a CAS login session, you will be prompted to login
      4. Once your login is complete, the FortiClient will complete your connection, then minimize itself. You can confirm you are connected by hovering over the FortiClient icon in the taskbar
        hover-over-connected.png
      5. You can close the browser tab that FortiClient opened
        browsertabafterauth.png

      Connecting on iOS Devices

      1. Launch the FortiClient app and tap the "VPN" tab at the bottom
        FortiClientVPNtab.jpg
      2. Confirm your "Connections" indicates "Clarkson VPN". If it does not, please see https://bookstack.clarkson.edu/books/general-knowledge-base/page/clarkson-vpn-installation-instructions before proceeding
      3. Tap the switch on "VPN"
        vpn-switch.jpg
      4. You will be switched to a browser to login with your usual Clarkson login
      5. After completing the login process, you will be returned to the FortiClient app and should see you are connected
        vpnconnected.jpg
      6. To disconnect, tap the VPN switch again to turn off.
      Back to top