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Understanding the Error (-7200)

Credential or ssl vpn configuration is wrong (-7200). The error code (-7200) usually points to a problem with the credentials or SSL VPN configuration in FortiClient.

The error message “Credential or SSL VPN configuration is wrong (-7200)” typically indicates an issue with either the credentials being used for authentication or the configuration settings of the FortiClient SSL VPN. Since you have confirmed that your credentials are correct and functional on other devices, we can focus on troubleshooting the configuration and network settings on your EC2 instance.

Step 1: Verify FortiClient Configuration

  1. Check VPN Settings: Ensure that all settings in FortiClient match those provided by your customer. This includes:

    • VPN Gateway IP address
    • Port number (usually 443 for SSL)
    • Connection type (SSL VPN)
    • Any specific configurations such as tunnel mode or split tunneling.

  2. Reconfigure the VPN Profile: Sometimes, a corrupted profile can lead to issues. Delete the existing VPN profile and create a new one from scratch using the correct parameters.

  3. Update FortiClient: Ensure that you are using the latest version of FortiClient compatible with your customer’s network requirements. Sometimes, older versions may have bugs or compatibility issues.

Step 2: Network Interface Configuration

  1. Network Adapter Settings: Check if the network adapter on your EC2 instance is configured correctly:

    • Go to Network Connections and ensure that the adapter used for connecting to the internet is enabled.
    • Make sure there are no conflicting IP addresses or DNS settings.

  2. Firewall Rules: Verify that any firewall rules on your EC2 instance allow outbound connections on port 443 (or whatever port your SSL VPN uses). You may need to adjust Windows Firewall settings or any other security group rules associated with your EC2 instance.

  3. VPN Client Permissions: Ensure that FortiClient has sufficient permissions to create a virtual network interface and establish connections. Running it as an administrator may help resolve permission-related issues.

Step 3: Check Logs for Detailed Errors

  1. FortiClient Logs: Enable logging in FortiClient to capture detailed error messages during connection attempts:

    • Navigate to Settings > Log and enable logging.
    • Review logs after attempting a connection for more specific error messages which could provide additional clues.

  2. Windows Event Viewer: Check Windows Event Viewer under Windows Logs > Application for any related errors when trying to connect through FortiClient.

Step 4: Test Connectivity

  1. Ping Test: From your EC2 instance, try pinging the VPN gateway IP address to ensure connectivity.

  2. Traceroute Command: Use traceroute (or tracert in Windows) to check if there are any routing issues preventing access to the VPN server.

  3. DNS Resolution: If you’re using a hostname instead of an IP address for the VPN gateway, ensure that DNS resolution works correctly by trying to resolve it manually using nslookup.

Step 5: Consult with Customer’s IT Support

If none of these steps resolve your issue, it might be beneficial to consult with your customer’s IT support team:

  • They may have specific configurations or restrictions in place that could affect how you connect from an EC2 instance.
  • They might also provide insights into whether there are logs on their end indicating why authentication fails specifically from your EC2 instance.

By following these steps systematically, you should be able to identify and rectify the cause of the “-7200” error when attempting to connect via FortiClient SSL VPN on your EC2 instance.

Authoritative Sources Used

  • Fortinet Documentation
  • Microsoft Support
  • AWS Documentation