topic Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..." in General Topics

globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

ccin1492 — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:15:44 GMT

OS info: openSUSE Leap 42.3

After installing globalprotect I tried to connect for the first time, but it seems to get stuck.

After the inital warning messages, I continued as suggested in the manual:

>> connect -p portal.vpn.broadcom.com -u tc912575
Retrieving configuration...

There is a problem with the security certificate, so the identity of portal.vpn.broadcom.com cannot be verified. Please contact the Help Desk for your organization to have the issue rectified.
Warning: The communication with portal.vpn.broadcom.com may have been compromised. We recommend that you do not continue with this connection.
Error details:
Do you want to continue(y/n)?y

And then nothing. Any help troubeshooting would be greatly appreciated.

I do realize that the OS is not officially supported, but linux systems generally behave similiarly.

Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

hshawn — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 22:05:45 GMT

They have actually hard coded some checks into the application to look for the distro release/version. If you fake these (there are a couple file locations you would have to edit) it will work, however due to this hard coding this will not work without "cheating" it. A shame really because it really *does* work with "other" distros but I guess they can choose what they are willing to support and not support...

Ill just leave this here...

/etc/lsb-release

/etc/os-release

*clears throat*

Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

ccin1492 — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 23:48:03 GMT

If you are going to do that, why not at least put out a warning or message.

Anyway, what should the files look like? Do you know? Can we share it?

Thanks.

Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

gwesson — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 00:08:55 GMT

> If you are going to do that, why not at least put out a warning or message.

Not trying to be a jerk here - no warnings or messages are needed if you're running on a supported distro.

The supported versions are few because it is known to work on those versions. It may work on others, but it's just not feasible to make sure every flavor is working or provide guidance when it doesn't.

Not everyone will remember to tell tech support that they're running a Linux distro that's not supported. I've spent more time than I can calculate trying to troubleshoot things like this, and it is really not fun.

Stick with a supported distro. If you want to force it to run on openSUSE Leap, or a Rasberry Pi, or your own custom kernel you can - but I wouldn't recommend it.

Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

ccin1492 — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 00:18:08 GMT

Your not a jerk. I agree with your response, however issuing a warning message is harmless and easy so why not do it. And it can say exactly what you did. 😉

So the reason I have to go thru this mess is because my company switched from cisco anyconnect and now I have to find a way to make it work with my personal machine because I work from home a lot. So it wasn't my decision and I'm not happy about it.

I might have to do what you suggested and just install a supported OS. Anyway, not sure what to do yet.

Re: globalprotect stuck at "Retrieving configuration..."

asilliker — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:34:06 GMT

Is your company supporting Linux for connection to the VPN?

It is possible that they do not have any client configurations specified in the gateway for the Linux GP client.

You may want to connect with your corporate IT to have them identify what they are seeing at the GP portal.