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University Technology Services

• McMaster's Virtual Private Network (VPN) Service
• VPN Home
• When to Use VPN
• Authorization to use VPN
• Recommended Client Software
• VPN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• UTS Home

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. The VPN Client software allows you to connect to the McMaster University network from an off-campus computer anywhere on the Internet and appear as though your computer is on campus. It also provides extra security by encrypting data to and from your computer, in effect creating a private tunnel through the Internet for your communication. Once your data reaches the McMaster campus, it is then unencrypted by the VPN server. The service is available to all Staff, Faculty and Students.

• VPN use is optional for all MacConnect wireless and wired connections, but is recommended when accessing secure private data and the application providing access is not known to be secure. You must install VPN client software on your machine in order to use it.
• You access McMaster from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are concerned about someone eavesdropping on your session.
• You are transferring sensitive information (passwords, research data, personal information etc.), between your home computer and the University
• You need access to a McMaster resource from home that might not otherwise be accessible because of a firewall or some other access control.
• You need a McMaster University IP address to access a resource at the University.

Two VPN clients are available to the University. The AnyConnect client should be used except in cases where AnyConnect is incompatible with your current networking hardware. If AnyConnect does not work, please try installing the IPSec client.

Description of available VPN clients:

• AnyConnect. Newest, thin client supported and developed by Cisco systems. Works with most operating systems, but may not be compatible with some older networking hardware, for example routers and switches that may be used in home networks.
• IPSec. Those using any VPN profile other than "Connect from Home" or "MacConnect" must use this client. It's also useful in situations where a user’s networking hardware is not compatible with the AnyConnect client.

Software Availability Chart:

Effective August 15, 2009, PPTP (point-to-point tunneling protocol) is no longer available as an alternative to the Cisco clients. Changes in support from our vendor have required us to remove that as an option. Click Here for further information

Operating System	Recommended Client	Alternate Client
Windows XP 32 bit (SP2 minimum)	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3046 last Updated: Aug/2011 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client v5.0.06.0110 last Updated: Oct/2009 (Link Here)
Windows XP 64 Bit (SP2 minimum)	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3046 last Updated: Aug/2011 (Link Here)	Not Available
Windows Vista, Win7 32 Bit (Vista SP1 minimum)	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3046 last Updated: Aug/2011 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client v5.0.06.0110 last Updated: Oct/2009 (Link Here)
Windows Vista, Win7 64 Bit (Vista SP1 minimum)	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3046 last Updated: Aug/2011 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client for 64 bit Windows v5.0.07.0290 (NEW) last Updated: Dec/2010 (Link Here)
Mac OS X Power PC	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3055 (OSX 10.5+) last Updated: Dec/2011 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client v4.9.01.0180 (OSX 10.4+) last Updated: May/2009 (Link Here)
Mac OS X Intel	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3055 (OSX 10.5+) last Updated: Dec/2011 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client v4.9.01.0180 (OSX 10.4+) last Updated: May/2009 (Link Here)
Apple iOS iPhone, iPad, iPod	Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Apple iOS last Updated: Dec/2010 (Link Here)	Not Available
Linux (32-bit and X86_64 (biarch)	Cisco AnyConnect v2.5.3046 last Updated: May/2009 (Link Here)	Cisco VPN Client v4.8.02.0030 last Updated: March/2009 (Link Here)

For more information about versions and other issues, access the VPN FAQ.