# Software Installation - How To

## How to deploy Forticlient VPN using Software Deployment?

## Introduction

This document explains about deploying Forticlient VPN using software deployment using Endpoint Central.

### Table of contents

1. [Prerequisites](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-forticlient-installer-how-to.html#prerequisites)
2. [Create a manual package](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-forticlient-installer-how-to.html#manualpackage)
   - [MSI package](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-forticlient-installer-how-to.html#msipackage)
   - [EXE package](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-forticlient-installer-how-to.html#exepackage)
3. [Deploy Forticlient VPN](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-forticlient-installer-how-to.html#deploy)

## Prerequisites

Before Deploying Forticlient, ensure the following steps are completed.

1. **Download the Forticlient VPN Online Installer**:
   - Navigate to the [Fortinet Product Downloads](https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads) webpage.
   - Download the Forticlient VPN Online installer from this webpage.

![Company Logo](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-download.png)

2. **Prepare the Installer**:
   - Open Command Prompt with administrative rights.
   - Change the directory to the location where the Forticlient VPN Online installer is downloaded.
   - Execute the installer to download and extract the offline installation files. This process may involve some pop-ups, which should be handled to proceed.

![Forticlientcmd](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-cmd.png)

3. **Verify Extraction**
   - Ensure the extracted application files (exe or MSI) are available in the following path:

```
C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Local\Temp
```

   - Replace %Username% with the current user's name.

4. **Copy the Installer Files**
   - Both msi and exe files will be available in the extracted folder. Copy the extracted application files to another folder that is accessible for share-path access or upload options.

## Create a manual package

Packages can be created with two types of installables - MSI/EXE. Follow the below steps according to your preference.

### MSI Package

- Click the **Software Deployment** tab
- Click **Add Package**
- Specify a name for the application
- Select the **MSI/MSP** package type
- Select the license type as Non commercial
- Choose Network Path/Http Path based on your requirement. If the deployment method chosen is Http Path, Zip all the files and Locate/Add the zip file in the Package.

[![download and zip](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-msiupload.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-msiupload.png)

| Content | Share Path | Http |
|---|---|---|
| **Installation Command** | `\\Sharepath\FortiClient.msi` | `FortiClient.msi` |
| **Example** | `\\machine-name\Users\admin\Downloads\Forticlient.msi` | `FortiClient.msi` |

Silent switch not required for MSI package.

[![download and zip](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-msins.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-msins.png)

### EXE package

- Click the **Software Deployment** tab
- Click Add Package
- Specify a name for the application
- Select the **EXE/APPX/MSIEXEC/MSU** package type
- Select the license type as Non commercial
- Choose Network Path/Http Path based on your requirement. If the deployment method chosen is Http Path, Zip all the files and Locate/Add the zip file in the Package.

![Company Logo](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-exeupload.png)

| Content | Share Path | Http |
|---|---|---|
| **Installation Command** | `\\Sharepath\FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet` | `FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet` |
| **Example** | `\\machine-name\Users\admin\Downloads\ForticlientVPN.exe /quiet` | `FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet` |

![Company Logo](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-exens.png)

## Deploy to target computers

1. Navigate to *Software Deployment > Install/Uninstall Software > Windows > Computer Configuration*
2. Enter a name and description for the configuration
3. Define the package settings.
4. Choose Operation type as **Install**
5. Choose the name of the package from the dropdown.
6. Configure Install/Uninstall options
   - Install As:
     - System User
       - The software will be applied at the system level, utilizing the SYSTEM user account.
     - Run as User:
       - The software will be deployed to the target machine with the credentials we select. We recommend choosing the Domain Admin credentials to avoid access level issues.

[![download and zip](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-runas.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/images/forticlient-runas.png)

7. Configure the [deployment settings](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuring_desktop_central/configuring_deployment_templates.html)
8. Define targets.
9. Specify the schedule options, if required
10. Click **Deploy**