Virtual Private Network (VPN): Connect to Cisco AnyConnect on Mac, Windows, and Linux

Follow these instructions to connect to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Secure Mobility Client on your Mac, Windows, or Linux device. For assistance in connecting, including Login Failed messages, contact Technology Help for assistance.

Note: Certain Departmental Pools, Full Tunnel VPN, and Split Tunnel VPN Pools require Multi-factor authentication (MFA) through Duo Security to connect.

Table of Contents:

Mac, Windows, and Linux - Connecting to AnyConnect VPN

Follow the below directions to connect to VPN. If you are using Ubuntu, follow the Ubuntu connection directions (on this page).

  1. Open the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.

    • Mac - Go to Finder, then Applications, then select Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
    • Windows -  Go to Start Menu, then All apps, then Cisco, then select Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
    • Linux - Start Cisco Anyconnect your preferred way.
      • Using the GUI, navigate to Applications, then Internet.
      • Using the CLI, open Terminal and run /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpnui.
  2. Select your connection preference from the drop-down menu.
    • Split tunnel: Select UMN - Split Tunnel - General Access VPN Pool.
    • Full tunnel and departmental pools: Select UMN - Departmental Pools
    • For full explanations of the connection types see the VPN Access Types on the VPN Technology Page. Most UMN VPN needs are met by Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel.
      AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client window. Dropdown with options Departemental Pools and Split Tunnel - General Access VPN. Split tunnel is selected.
  3. Select Connect.
    • Note: If you connect by IP address (e.g. 160.94.217.90), you will see a certificate mismatch warning. Select Accept to continue.
  4. A sign-in window opens:
    1. If you are connecting to Split Tunnel, enter your Internet ID and password.
      Split tunnel connection window with fields for Username and Password
    2. If you are connecting to Full Tunnel or a Departmental Pool:
      1.  Select your pool from the Group dropdown. Full Tunnel select AnyConnect-UofMvpnFull.
      2. Enter your Internet ID and password.
        Departmental pools connection window with example AnyConnect-UMNvpnFull group selected. Fields for Username and Password
  5. Select OK. A Duo Security push will automatically be sent to your default Duo device.
    • To use any other method (e.g., call me, passcode) for Duo authentication, use Duo Append Mode.
  6. Approve the Duo Login Request on your Duo device.
  7. The dialog box at the bottom of the user interface should say "Establishing VPN - Examining system, Activating VPN Adapter, Configuring System" followed by Connected to XXX and then the AnyConnect status window will disappear.
    • An icon for VPN with a lock  should show up on the dock and/or on the menu bar to verify you are connected.
  8. You are now connected to VPN.
    • To disconnect, select the AnyConnect icon and select disconnect from the pull down menu. You can also simply quit the program to end the VPN connection.

Linux Alternative Option - Connecting to AnyConnect VPN

Connect to UMN VPN on your Linux device by following the below steps. If you are using Ubuntu, follow the steps in the Connect to UMN VPN in Ubuntu (on this page) section.

  1. Start Cisco Anyconnect your preferred way.
    • Using the GUI, navigate to Applications, then Internet.
    • Using the CLI, open Terminal and run /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpnui.
  2. Connect to tc-vpn-1.vpn.umn.edu.
  3. A Duo Security push will automatically be sent to your default Duo device.
    • To use any other method (e.g., call me, passcode) for Duo authentication, use Duo Append Mode.
  4. Approve the Duo Login Request.
  5. You are now connected.

Ubuntu - Connecting to AnyConnect VPN 

  1. To check if the VPNC package has been installed on the Ubuntu machine, run the command dpkg -l vpnc(lowercase L). If the output is No packages found matching vpnc. then VPNC is already installed.
    • To install, run the following commands:
      • sudo -s (input the account password when prompted to elevate permissions)
      • apt-get install vpnc
  2. Prior to running VPNC, the enter sudo -s in the command line and enter your account password to elevate your permissions.
  3. Type vpnc and hit Enter. Fill in the prompts as follows:
    • IPSec gateway address: tc-vpn-1.vpn.umn.edu
    • IPSec ID: UofMvpn
    • IPSec Secret: S3cur1ty!
    • Username: [your Internet ID]
    • Password: [your Internet ID password]
  4. You are now connected.
    • To disconnect from the UMN vpn, type vpnc-disconnect in bash.

Additional Resources

 

Last modified

April 13, 2023

TDX ID

3991