GlobalProtect Linux Build & Install Helper

This helper automates building and installing the two GlobalProtect components from the UMass Lowell distribution tarball, applies a required <default-browser> setting, restarts the gpd.service, and launches the GlobalProtect UI.

1. Download the PanGPLinux Package

The package is available to UMass Lowell users at:

https://downloads.uml.edu/All/VPN/GP/Linux/PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3.tgz

Note: You must be logged in with your UML credentials to access this file. If your browser prompts for login, complete authentication and then download the file. Save it to a convenient location, e.g. ~/Downloads.

If your browser renames the file (e.g., PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3(3).tgz), that’s fine.

2. Extract the Tarball

From a terminal:

cd ~/Downloads
tar -xzf PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3*.tgz

This will create a folder such as:

PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3/

or

PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3(3)/

Inside that folder, you’ll see two *.tgz component archives and matching directories.

3. Place the Script in the Same Location

Copy the provided gp_local_build.sh script into the extracted directory.

Example:

cp ~/path/to/gp_local_build.sh ~/Downloads/PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3(3)/
cd ~/Downloads/PanGPLinux-5.3.2-c3(3)/

Make it executable:

chmod +x gp_local_build.sh

4. Run the Script

Run the script with sudo and specify your VPN portal (if different from default):

sudo ./gp_local_build.sh myvpn.uml.edu

What it does:

1. Finds the component tarballs that already have a same-named folder.
2. Extracts them (safe if already extracted).
3. Runs make and then ./install.sh for each.
4. Ensures <default-browser>yes</default-browser> exists in /opt/paloaltonetworks/globalprotect/GlobalProtect.xml.
5. Sets the <Portal> to the value you specify.
6. Restarts the gpd.service.
7. Detects your logged-in desktop user and restarts the GlobalProtect UI.

5. Verify

After the script completes:

sudo systemctl status gpd.service
globalprotect show --status

You should see that the service is active and the UI is running.

globalprotect-helper