Updated Date: 07/07/2026
Overview: F5 Access for Chrome OS
F5 Access for Chrome OS devices provides full network access through BIG-IP® Access Policy Manager®. With network access, users can run applications such as RDP, SSH, Citrix, VMware View, and other enterprise applications on their Chrome OS devices.
For information about how to use F5 Access, refer to the F5 Access for Chrome OS User Guide on your device.
F5 Access features include:
- N-factor authentication (at least two input fields, password and passcode) support
- User name and password and client certificate authentication
- Multiple input field support
- Credential caching support
- Support for checking information from client devices
- Logging support to report issues
- Support for certificate-only authentication
- Support client certificate for DTLS tunnels and SSL tunnels
F5 Access app for Chrome OS devices provides the following SAML support:
- Service provider-initiated access only, for example, APM acting as the service provider (SP)
- Web Logon mode only
When you use F5 Access as a client performing SP-initiated access, F5 Access first connects to BIG-IP® Access Policy Manager® (APM®). Because there is no assertion, APM redirects the client to the IdP. The IdP then authenticates the user and redirects F5 Access back to the SP with assertion. APM then accepts the assertion and establishes a VPN connection. You can then access back-end resources through F5 Access.
You can configure a BIG-IP system by configuring APM as an SP. The access policy that is associated with the configuration assigns a SAML AAA resource followed by a Network Access Resource. For more information about SAML configurations, refer to the BIG-IP® Access Policy Manager®: Authentication and Single Sign-On guide.
F5 Access app for Chrome OS devices provides these authentication types:
|
Authentication type |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Regular Logon |
Provides the following two options: - User name and password
|
|
Certificate-only |
Provides a certificate-only authentication without a user name and password by adding a certificate in the configuration, while leaving the user name field blank. |
|
Web Logon |
Provides the following two options: - User name and password
|
You can use F5 Access with a Chrome OS device to establish a VPN tunnel connection.
Access Policy Manager® can check unique identifying information from a Chrome OS device. The supported session variables, which become populated with the Chrome device information, are gathered automatically, and can easily be combined with an LDAP or AD query to implement white-listing in a custom action to improve access context. This information allows the Access Policy Manager to perform pre-logon sequence checks and operations based on information about the connecting device. Using such information, the Access Policy Manager can perform the following tasks:
- Deny access if the Chrome OS version is less than the required level.
This example displays an access policy with a custom action of Device ID Check to check the device’s UDID.
Access Policy Manager® provides web application-level security to prevent malware attacks. As an administrator, you can enforce all web access through a secured gateway, as well as bypass secure gateways for internal resources. This is especially helpful, for example, when you have clients using corporate tablets, smart phones, or other mobile devices to browse the web.