f5fpc

Open a new VPN connection

$ sudo f5fpc --start

$ sudo f5fpc --start --host [host.example.com]

$ sudo f5fpc --start --host [host.example.com] --username [user]

$ sudo f5fpc --info

$ sudo f5fpc --stop

f5fpc {command | --option} [arguments]

command
    Specifies the action to be performed by f5fpc. Common commands include connect, disconnect, status, config, and proxy. Each command may have its own specific options and arguments.

connect
    Establishes a VPN connection to the F5 BIG-IP APM gateway. This command often requires arguments such as the server address, username, and password, or relies on pre-configured profiles.

disconnect
    Terminates an active VPN connection initiated by the f5fpc client.

status
    Displays the current VPN connection status, including details like the connection state, connected server, and elapsed connection time.

config
    Manages client configuration settings, such as adding or removing VPN servers, or setting auto-connect options.

proxy
    Configures proxy settings that the F5 VPN client should use for its connection to the APM gateway.

--help
    Displays the overall help message for f5fpc, listing available commands and general options.

--version
    Displays the version information of the installed f5fpc client software.

f5fpc is the command-line interface for the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client (or Network Access client) on Linux systems. It allows users to programmatically manage and configure their F5 VPN connections. This utility is crucial in enterprise environments for establishing secure remote access to internal networks via F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) gateways. It handles various aspects of the VPN session, including user authentication, secure tunneling, and network configuration to ensure a stable and secure connection. It's particularly useful for scripting VPN connections in automated workflows or for users who prefer command-line interaction over graphical user interfaces.

f5fpc is a proprietary utility developed by F5 Networks and is not a standard, pre-installed Linux command. It requires the prior installation of the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client or Network Access client package. Operations involving network interface manipulation, such as establishing or tearing down a VPN tunnel, typically require root privileges. Its exact behavior and available options can vary slightly between different versions of the F5 client software.

While f5fpc supports various commands, the connect command is central to its utility. Basic usage often involves specifying the server and credentials, for example:
f5fpc connect -s vpn.example.com -u youruser -p yourpass
However, for security reasons, it's generally recommended to avoid passing sensitive credentials directly on the command line. Many deployments rely on pre-configured profiles, system-level credential managers, or interactive authentication methods which f5fpc can trigger.

f5fpc is an integral part of the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client suite, developed by F5 Networks to provide robust command-line management for their BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) remote access solutions on Linux. Its development has focused on enabling scriptable and automated VPN connectivity, evolving alongside F5's enterprise security offerings to meet the demands of secure remote work and network access policies in various corporate environments.

openconnect(8), ip(8), nmcli(1)