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 [-f config_file] [start|stop|status|setup|uninstall] [options]

-f, --file CONFIG
    Specify alternate config file (default: ~/.f5/f5fpc/f5fpc.conf)

--setup
    Interactive setup for host, user, realm, and auth method

--start
    Start the VPN connection

--stop
    Stop the VPN connection

--status
    Show connection status

--uninstall
    Remove the client installation

--host HOST
    VPN server hostname/IP (used in setup)

--user USER
    Username for authentication

--password PASS
    Password (interactive prompt if omitted)

--realm REALM
    Authentication realm

--log-level LEVEL
    Set logging verbosity (0-5, default 3)

-h, --help
    Display help and exit

--version
    Show version information

The f5fpc command is the primary interface for the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client (Full Proxy Client) on Linux systems. Developed by F5 Networks, it enables secure SSL VPN connections to F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) deployments. Users can establish, manage, and terminate VPN tunnels, supporting features like split tunneling, client-side authentication, and endpoint posture checks.

Typically installed via DEB or RPM packages from the F5 portal, f5fpc operates as a userspace service. Common workflows involve an initial setup for server credentials, followed by start, stop, or status operations. It handles SAML, certificate, and multi-factor authentication, routing traffic through the F5 gateway while allowing local network access for split-tunnel policies.

The tool integrates with desktop environments via tray icons (when GUI components are installed) but excels in headless/server use cases. Logs are stored in ~/.f5/f5fpc/f5fpc.log, aiding troubleshooting. It's essential for remote access in enterprise environments secured by F5 BIG-IP.

Requires root/sudo for initial setup; conflicts with other VPN clients on same ports; DEB/RPM package must match distro kernel; no IPv6 tunnel support in older versions; config not portable across systems.

Download f5fpc_<version>_amd64.deb from F5 portal; install with sudo dpkg -i or yum localinstall; run f5fpc --setup post-install.

Key entries in ~/.f5/f5fpc/f5fpc.conf: Host, AuthName, Realm, Cert; edit manually or via setup.

Check journalctl -u f5fpc or ~/.f5/f5fpc/f5fpc.log; common issues: MTU mismatch (set TunMTU=1400), firewall blocks UDP/443.

Introduced by F5 Networks around 2010 for BIG-IP Edge Client v3.x; evolved with APM versions, adding SAML/OAuth in 7.x+; Linux support expanded in 2015 for RHEL/Ubuntu; current versions (7100+) focus on systemd integration and FIPS compliance.

openvpn(8), vpnc(8), pptp(8)