Cisco VPN Client for MAC OSX
The following sections describe how to install the VPN Client software. The VPN Client for Mac OS X installer program installs, by default, both the graphical user interface and the command-line version of the VPN Client. However, only the GUI installation is described here. The software you are about to install is provided by Cisco Systems Inc. It is licensed software to be used only by McMaster University VPN users. This software supports Mac OS X (10.2 or better) only! Unfortunately Cisco does not make a client available for previous versions of the MacIntosh OS.
- Verify that you have a supported version of the Macintosh Operating System, version 10.2 or greater.
- Download the client appropriate for your OS version.
- Install the software following these instructions.
- Connect to the VPN server and test your connection.
- Disable all Anti Virus software during installation (important!)
Installing the Client
- Mac users that have upgraded to Snow Leopard - OS X 10.6, may need to uninstall the Cisco VPN client, and re-install the version available here, in order to get around the error message 'Error 51: Unable to communicate with the VPN subsytem'. Be sure to run the 4.9.01.0180 version posted here. Older Cisco VPN clients apparently do not work.
- For Mac OS X 10.2-10.3.x Only, download Here
- For Mac OS X 10.4 or greater, download Here
- Be sure to note where you downloaded the file. Some browsers such as Safari
will automatically open the disk image, ready for you to install. Other browsers will require you to open it yourself.
Internet Explorer users may need to right click (control-click) and save the vpnclient-macosx.dmg file to disk manually.
- Open the installer package by double-clicking the Cisco VPN Client.mpkg file that resides in the
installer directory. The Authorization window appears. You must have an Administrator password to install the
VPN Client application.
- Click the lock to Authenticate your password. The Authenticate dialog box appears. Enter your administrator username and a password or challenge phrase. Click OK.
- The first window that appears during installation is the introduction. The right pane of the Introduction window lists system requirements. The left pane displays each of the installation steps. As you complete each step, it is highlighted with a blue bullet. Click Continue.
- You are required to read and accept the Cisco software license agreement before you can continue with the installation process. When you have completely read the Cisco VPN Client software license agreement, click Continue. To continue with the installation, click Agree.
- If your workstation has more than one disk drive, you can select the destination volume to install the VPN Client on your workstation. Click Continue. The VPN Client is installed in the Applications directory.
- Select the Standard Install method of installation. The default installation process installs the following packages with the VPN Client application:
- VPN Client application binaries (includes everything in the directory /usr/local/bin, including the ipseclog).
- VPN Client graphical user interface.
- VPN Client kernel extension.
- VPN Client profiles (includes the global profile, vpnclient.ini, and any user profiles, *.pcf files).
- VPN startup (the system startup script to automatically start the client at boot time).
- A progress bar lists the installation steps as they occur. When the installation is finished, a window appears to indicate whether the installation was successful. Click Close.
- To begin using the Client, double-click the VPN Client application icon located in the Applications directory
Starting the VPN Client
- To begin using the Client, double-click the VPN Client application icon located in the Applications directory
- Once you have started the VPN Client, Select either McMaster VPN, if connecting from Home, or MacConnect , if connecting from a McMaster MacConnect wired or wireless connection.
- Click on the Connect button.
Connecting to the VPN
- Type in your username and password and click on the OK button. Don't know what to enter here? Check back Here.
- If successful, you should see a banner similar to the one shown above. Click on Continue. At this point you have successfully connected to the McMaster VPN server.
- Note: Panther users may receive an error message stating the "necessary vpn subsystem is not available". Restarting the OS after completing the installation will start the vpn subsystem and correct the error. This will be corrected in a later release of the software.
Managing your Connection
- A new icon will appear in your application bar named VPN. Click this icon.
- Click on the menu item Status, then Statistics. The Tunnel details tab displays detailed information such as the encryption strength, Client/Server IP addresses, Connection time etc.
- You may wish to make one of the two connection entries your Default. To do that, select the entry you want to be the default by clicking it once, then select Connection entries from the Menu and pick "Set as Default Connection Entry".
- Click the VPNClient menu option , Preferences. Check the options to "Save Window Settings" and "Minimize upon Connect.
- Disconnecting is a similar process. Highlight the connection entry and click the Disconnect button or right click on the connection entry and select the Disconnect option.
- For security reasons, there isn't an option to save your password. Your UserID will be saved on future connects but you must type in your password each time you connect.
Testing Connectivity
- Connectivity to the VPN provides you with two things, an encrypted "tunnel" between your Internet connection and McMaster University and a McMaster University IP address in the range 130.113.xxx.yyy.
- Visit this site to display your IP address. An address in the range 130.113.90.x means that you have successfully connected to the VPN server from home. An IP address in the 130.113.94.x range means that you have connected to the VPN via the OpenPort system. If you see any other number it indicates something is wrong. Perhaps you entered an incorrect username or password during the login process.
Uninstalling the VPN Client
- Do this only if you wish to remove the Cisco VPN software from your computer.
- Open a terminal window.
- Run the following command: sudo /usr/local/bin/vpn_uninstall
- Enter your password.
- You are prompted to remove all profiles and certificates.
- If you answer yes, all binaries, startup scripts, certificates, profiles, and any directories that were created during the installation process are removed.
- If you answer no, all binaries and startup scripts are removed, but certificates, profiles, and the vpnclient.ini file remain.
Service Desk
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Phone: | 905-525-9140 x24357 (2HELP) |
| Email: | uts@mcmaster.ca |
| Location: | Main Campus BSB Rm. 245 |
| Online | |
| http://www.mcmaster.ca/uts | |
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