Apple OS X

Follow the instructions below to install and configure the Cisco VPN client for your computer.

Different versions of Apple OS X

Please note that the Cisco IPSec VPN client does not support Apple OS X running a 64-bit kernel. Apple systems running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and newer, whose hardware supports a 64-bit kernel, cannot run the Cisco VPN client in 64-bit kernel mode.

If running 64-bit Apple OS X you should instead configure the built-in L2TP IPSec VPN client.

Install the VPN client software

Download the Cisco VPN client software which is correct for the version of OS X running on your computer. You may be asked to log into EASE before you can download the software.

Depending on your web browser, the disk image might mount automatically. If it doesn't, do the following:

Choose to save the file.
In the Downloads window, choose to Open the downloaded file (You may have to option-click on it to get this option).
Open a Finder window and click on "CiscoVPNClient" on the left.
Double-click on "Cisco VPN Client.mpkg" to open the installer.
Follow the instructions to install the software on your hard disk.

Configure the VPN client software

In the Finder, open your Applications folder.

Scroll down to VPNClient, and double click on it to open the Cisco VPN Client.

Click the "New" icon to create a new connection entry and enter the following details:

Connection entry: eg Edinburgh VPN
Description: may be left blank.
Host: vpn2.net.ed.ac.uk
Ensure that Group Authentication is checked (this is the default).
Enter your Group authentication name and password.

NB: Your Group authentication name and password are NOT the same as the username and the password you set when you registered for the VPN service.

You can find out your Group authentication name and password by visiting:

https://vpnreg.ucs.ed.ac.uk/ease/ipsecgroup.cgi

Click on the "Transport" tab.
Ensure that "Enable Transparent Tunneling" is checked and select "IPSec over TCP".
Click "Save" to save your settings.

Connect to the VPN service

In the Finder, open your Applications folder. Scroll down to VPNClient, and double click on it to open the Cisco VPN Client.

Click Connect.
Enter your username and the password which you specified when you registered for the VPN service, then Click OK.
You should now see a message confirming that you are connected to the University VPN service.
Click Continue, the window will then close and you can now use your computer as if you are physically connected to the University network.

Disconnect from the VPN service

To disconnect from the VPN service, follow the instructions above to bring up the VPN client windows, then click Disconnect.

This article was published on May 27, 2011