How to connect to the WEI/GLBRC VPN on Linux?

Steps to connect to the WEI/GLBRC VPN from a linux computer

***IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE VPN WITH EVERY LINUX DISTRIBUTION.   THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED AS BEST EFFORT SUPPORT***

The GlobalProtect VPN client currently only supports ipv4 addresses, ipv6 IP addresses are not supported at this time. 

These steps have been adapted from DoIT's knowledge base located here: https://kb.wisc.edu/85193

  1. Download the Linux client from this link. The file follows the format PanGPLinux*.tgz.

  2. Extract the package.

    tar -xvf ~/pkgs/PanGPLinux-4.1.5-c8.tgz

  3. Install the extracted .deb file (Note: this step is for Ubuntu and Debian distros): .

    sudo dpkg -i GlobalProtect_deb-4.1.5.0-8.deb

    or

    sudo apt-get install GlobalProtect_deb-4.1.0.0-23.deb
    For Fedora / RedHat install the .rpm file: rpm -i --nodigest --nofiledigest GlobalProtect_rpm-5.0.5.0-11.rpm

  4. The client installs to /opt/paloaltonetworks/globalprotect. Settings and profile information are saved in $HOME/.globalprotect.

  5. Use the globalprotect executable to connect to VPN. When you execute globalprotect, you will enter prompt mode. Type help for instructions on how to use the CLI tool.

    Usage: only the following commands are supported: 
collect-log            -- collect log information 
connect                -- connect to server 
disconnect             -- disconnect
disable                -- disable connection
import-certificate     -- import client certificate file
quit                   -- quit from prompt mode
rediscover-network     -- network rediscovery
remove-user            -- clear credential 
resubmit-hip           -- resubmit hip information
set-log                -- set debug level
show                   -- show information

  6. Run the connect subcommand with the portal option to connect to VPN. WiscVPN’s portal is uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu.

    globalprotect connect --portal weiglbrc.vpn.wisc.edu

  7. Type your GLBRC/WEI Intranet username and password:

    Retrieving configuration...                                            
Disconnected
portal:local:Enter login credentials
username: # Type username here
user1
Password: # Type password here
Retrieving configuration...                                            
Discovering network...
Connecting...
Connected  
----

If that fails you can attempt to use Linux's openconnect software to connect to the VPN - please note that openconnect version 8 and beyond are the only verions compatible with the GlobalProtect VPN hardware, if you are running an older version of Linux Mint for example the repo may not be updated to version 8.

As a work around you can use this package https://launchpad.net/~phusen/+archive/ubuntu/openconnect and launch it from the command line with the following command:
sudo openconnect --protocol=gp weiglbrc.vpn.wisc.edu

When prompted enter your WEI/GLBRC Intranet username and password to start the connection, unfortunately the Network Manager method does not work at this time.

The full manual for the Linux GlobalProtect client is available here: https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/globalprotect/5-0/globalprotect-app-user-guide/globalprotect-app-for-linux.html
For accessing Windows shared folders once connected to the VPN of your choosing, using another program called Gigolo should help make finding the shares via Samba, another networking program, easier (great resource for how to use here: https://www.unixmen.com/how-to-access-remote-linux-and-windows-shares-with-gigolo/).


Keywords:
Linux VPN
Doc ID:
157348
Owned by:
Taylor H. in Wisconsin Energy Institute
Created:
2025-12-11
Updated:
2026-09-17
Sites:
Wisconsin Energy Institute