Installing AnyConnect VPN client on Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS
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Installing AnyConnect VPN client on Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS Page 1 of 9
Contents
1. Introduction 1
1.1. Supported versions of Windows 2
1.2. Supported versions of MacOS X 2
2. Browser configuration 2
2.1. Internet Explorer 2
2.2. Firefox 3
3. A word about profiles 3
4. Installing the AnyConnect client 4
5. Using the client 8
6. Ending the VPN session 9
7. Subsequent client Use 9
8. Help 9
1. Introduction
VPN (Virtual Private Networking) is a service which allows users who are
connected to the Internet to access University of Nottingham (UoN) restricted
services and applications.
This document gives instructions for installing and getting started with the new
University of Nottingham VPN service.
Also refer to the document, Introduction to the VPN service at:
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/help/it-
relatedformsanddocuments.aspx#workingoffsitedocs
Important
If you have any other Cisco VPN client software installed then it must be
removed before installing the AnyConnect client.
Installing AnyConnect VPN client on
Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/help/it-relatedformsanddocuments.aspx#workingoffsitedocs
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/help/it-relatedformsanddocuments.aspx#workingoffsitedocs
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/help/it-relatedformsanddocuments.aspx#workingoffsitedocs
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1.1. Supported versions of Windows
• Windows 8.1 x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)
• Windows 7 SP1 x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)
• Windows Vista SP2 x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)
• Windows XP SP3 x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)
Upgrading note:
If you upgrade your version of Windows (i.e. from Windows 7 to Windows 8),
you should manually uninstall AnyConnect first, then after the upgrade, reinstall
by following these instructions.
Users of x64 (64-bit) Windows versions supported by AnyConnect
must use the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer or Firefox to use WebLaunch.
1.2. Supported versions of MacOS X
• Mac OS X v10.6.x (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Mac OS X v10.7 (32-bit and 64-bit).
• Mac OS X v10.8 (32-bit and 64-bit).
• Mac OS X v10.9 (32-bit and 64-bit).
Upgrading note:
If you upgrade from one major Mac OS X release to another (for example, 10.8
to 10.9), you should manually uninstall AnyConnect first, then after the upgrade,
reinstall.
2. Browser configuration
Add the VPN to your browser’s list of “trusted” sites. This will simplify the
installation of the software and reduce the number of warnings you need to click
through.
2.1. Internet Explorer
1. go to Tools > Internet Options
2. click on the Security tab
3. click on the Trusted Sites (green tick) icon
4. type https://vpntest.nottingham.ac.uk (note: https not http)
5. click Add
6. click OK
7. click OK.
https://vpntest.nottingham.ac.uk/
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2.2. Firefox
1. go to Tools > Options
2. click on the Security tab
3. click on Exceptions …
4. type vpntest.nottingham.ac.uk
5. click Allow
6. click Close
7. click OK.
Check the version of Java installed. Version 1.6 should be installed. If it is not, it
can be downloaded from www.java.com.
A quick way of checking the installed version is to browse to
http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp or type “java -version” at a command
prompt.
C:\>java -version
java version “1.6.0_21”
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_21-b07)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 17.0-b17, mixed mode, sharing)
3. A word about profiles
Four profiles have been defined for VPN users. They allow you to choose the
address family (public/private) and the transport type (SSL/IPsec). Unless you
have an application that needs to use a public (128.243.0.0/16) address you are
requested to use one of the private pools.
You should normally choose SSL as all the functionality should be available
through SSL and the need for IPsec should be small.
If you do use IPsec then you need to be aware that it uses IKEv2 and that if you
have a router or firewall that inspects the traffic it needs to be aware of this.
http://www.java.com/
http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
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4. Installing the AnyConnect client
These instructions show screen captures from a Windows installation.
The majority of screens will be similar for MacOS and Linux once the connection
to the VPN has been established.
1. browse to https://vpntest.nottingham.ac.uk
2. from the GROUP dropdown list,
select the profile you want to be
installed. Normally this should
be SSL_PRIVATE
3. enter your University username
and password
4. click Login
5. a pop-up box will appear, click
Continue to accept that only
authorised access is permitted.
https://vpntest.nottingham.ac.uk/
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6. at this point there will be a sequence of screens as the client is installed.
The screens you see may vary depending on the exact version of Windows
and the status of your PC.
i. select Yes
ii. click
Run
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7. finally you should see a screen announcing the successful installation and
connection. At this point you can drop the Web connection and just use
the client. If you do not drop the web connection then you will be doubling
the number of connections used.
8. the status of a connection can be seen from the icon in the status bar
(circled in red). If there is a padlock symbol then you have a VPN
connection.
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9. further information can be obtained by right-clicking on the icon and
selecting from the context-sensitive menu.
The second entry toggles between VPN Disconnect and VPN Connect
as appropriate.
Selecting Open AnyConnect will restore the client window.
10.if the client is in a disconnected state then clicking on Connect will
prompt for a University password and acceptance of the warning box.
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When connected, the Advanced option will open another multitab
window:
Some settings, for example, local LAN access may be changed on the
Preferences tab.
5. Using the client
Once you are connected to the VPN your PC is logically on the University
network but there is a filter between you and any resources.
Please see the Introduction to the VPN Service document for details.
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6. Ending the VPN session
It is important that you disconnect from the VPN service when you no longer
need to use it. This conserves resources for other users:
1. right-click on the closed padlock icon in the System Tray and select the
Disconnect option.
2. the closed padlock icon will then change to an open padlock icon. This
closes the tunnel and removes the University of Nottingham IP address
from your PC.
7. Subsequent client Use
Once installed, the client will remain on the PC. A menu item for Cisco
AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client will be created and it is sufficient to use
this.
You do not need to use the web access again unless you wish to install another
profile.
8. Help
If you need help with installing AnyConnect VPN client, please contact the IT
Helpline on: 0115 95 16677.
mailto:staff-it-helpline@nottingham.ac.uk
mailto:staff-it-helpline@nottingham.ac.uk