Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Set-up and usage of a Virtual Private Network using the Cisco VPN Client

In order to use a VPN connection, you need a VPN password. This password is not the same as your UGent password. If you do not have a VPN/dial-in password or if you forgot it, then you can easily create a new VPN password via: https://password.ugent.be Please note that you can only create or change a VPN password from a host on the UGent Network and not via another provider.

Installation and configuration of the Cisco VPN client on PC

You can download the latest version of the VPN client software (9 Mb). After agreeing with the Statement concerning the use of Cisco VPN client, click on the link that apllies to your system, then click on "execute" (possibly twice).
In the window WinZip Self-Extractor, choos 'unzip'.
In the following window (language choice), click 'ok'.
Click 'next' in the welcoming screen.
Accept, when desired, the licence agreement by checking the option 'I accept the licence agreement', and then choose 'Next'.
Choose 'Next' if you accept the standard location for installation of your files.
Choose 'Next' to proceed with the installation.
Click 'Finish' to complete the installation procedure.
Click 'Yes' to reboot your PC.
After rebooting, open the Cisco VPN Client via 'Start'- Programs - Cisco Systems VPN Client, VPN Client.
Download the
UGent VPN client config file to the folder VPN Client. Click 'Save'.
Save in: choose to save the file to your desktop
In the window Download Complete, choose 'close'.
In the VPN Client (via 'Start - Programs - Cisco Systems VPN Client - VPN Client'), choose 'import' (icon).
In the appearing dialogue box select the folder VPNClient and then the file 'UGent.pcf'
Choose OK to complete the import.
In order to use the VPN-connection, follow the steps under
Use of the VPN-connection
Installation of Cisco VPN client on Mac
The software is only suitable for MacOS X 10.1.5 or higher
The latest version of the vpnclient-software can be downloaded
here (9MB).
This can only be done after agreeing to the
Declaration on the use of the Cisco VPN-cient. Once accepted, the download can be done time and again, without ever having to agree again.
The software is available as a .hqx file. This contains these files after unpacking:
vpnclient-darwin-4.9.00.0050-universal-k9.dmg
By double-clicking the .dmg file (disk image), it is mounted as an extra device called CiscoVPNClient. In some cases it might happen, that after unpacking the archive, the file vpnclient-darwin-4.0.2.C-GUI-k9.dmg does not have the extension .dmg. This means it can not be opened by double-clicking. Rename the file manually, by adding .dmg, after that, you should be able to open the file.
On this device you should find the installation as "Cisco VPN client.mpkg"
Double-click and follow the instructions. Click on the padlock if the message "You need an Administrator password to install the
software" and enter a login/password of your own Mac with administrator privileges.
Keep on following the instructions on the screen, among other things agree with the licence and the picking of the harddisk
where the software should be installed.
If the installation was successful, you'll find the programm under
Applications - VPNclient. Start thee client.
To configure it, import the configuration file will suffice.
Choose the button Import and choose the file UGent.pcf that was also in the downloaded file.
After importing the file, the connection can be be made immediately.

Use of a VPN-connection

When a VPN is needed, you can start it as follows:
Start the VPN via Start, Programs, Cisco Systems VPN Client, VPN Client. Select UGent and choose Connect. Enter your log-in name and corresponding
VPN-password. For Mac, start the VPN with Applications - VPNclient.
Select UGent and choose Connect.
Enter your login name and corresponding
VPN-passwordSince December 16th 2003, restrictions have been introduced concerning the used volume over a VPN. More info can be found on the webpage concerning the volume restriction.

Possible problems

If you have a firewall installed, then it is possible that the firewall has not been configured well. In that case, you will get an error message even before the verification of your log-in and password. Turn off the firewall and firts try to set up the VPN connection withou the firewall. After that you can adjust the firewall settings.
An update of F-Secure Anti-Virus for example could be the cause of the fact that your computer is restarting every time you want to use the VPN connection (Cisco).
Other programmaes as well, such as Skype can cause problems as well when using the VPN connection.
More Detail are in

1 comment:

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