Ubuntu Linux

Follow the instructions below to install and configure the Cisco-compatible vpnc client for your computer.

Install the VPN client software

Please note: to install the VPN client software you will need a working connection to the internet.

In the Ubuntu menu bar, go to: "System", then "Administration" and "Synaptic Package Manager".

At this point you may be required to "Enter your password to perform administrative tasks" before the package manager utility can run.

Use the "Quick search" box to search for "vpnc"

You should see at least two packages in your search results.

The packages required for installation are "vpnc" (Cisco-compatible VPN client) and "network-manager-vpnc" (network management framework (VPNC plugin).

Click on the check box of each of these in turn and select "Mark for installation".
You will now be asked to "Apply the following changes?".
Click "Apply".
The package manager will now download the required files and install the software. When finished the Synaptic Package Manager should have solid green checkboxes beside the two packages. This confirms the packages have been installed.
Close the Synaptic Package Manager.

Configure the VPN client software

Click on network icon in the top right of the desktop and select "VPN Connections" and "Configure VPN...".

Click "Add"
In the "Choose a VPN Connection type" window, if it has not already been selected by default, select "Cisco Compatible VPN (vpnc) from the drop down list.
Click "Create..."

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

In the "Editing VPN connection" Window fill in the following information:

Give the connection a name, e.g. "EdLAN VPN".
Make sure "Connect automatically" is NOT selected.
Gateway: vpn2.net.ed.ac.uk
Group name: as specified earlier.
User password: leave as "always ask".
Group Password: select "Saved" from the drop-down menu and enter your group password.
User name: enter your Universal Username in this field.
Encryption method: leave as "Secure (default)"
NAT traversal: select "NAT-T" from the drop-down menu.

Click "Apply"
Click "Close" to close the Network Connections window.

Connect to the VPN service

To connect to the VPN service: go to the network icon at the top right of the desktop and select "VPN Connections" and "EdLAN VPN" (or whatever you named your VPN connection).

You may now be asked whether you want to "Allow application access to keyring". Select "Allow Once" or "Always Allow" depending on whether you want to be asked this every time you start the VPN client software.

You will now be asked to authenticate to the VPN.

Type in your VPN password and click "OK"
After a few seconds the "VPN Login Message" should pop-up on your desktop and the network icon will change to have a locked symbol.

You are now connected to the University VPN service and can use your computer as if you are physically connected to the University network.

Invalid VPN secrets error

The first time you try to connect to the VPN service may fail with the error message: "Connection failed because there were no valid VPN secrets". If this happens, reboot your computer system and repeat the above instructions to connect to the VPN service.

Disconnect from the VPN service

To disconnect from the VPN service, click on the network icon, then "VPN Connections" and select "Disconnect VPN...".

After a few seconds the lock symbol will disappear from your network icon.

This article was published on Mar 5, 2010