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Introduction

Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure connection between your computer and the resources available at your home institution. In the case of SLAC, we offer a VPN service that permits authorized users to gain visibility of SLAC network resources in remote locations such as from your home, or from another country.

This page documents the use of the SLAC VPN service.

Implementation

SLAC utilizes Cisco's Remote Access VPN line of products and specifically requires the use of Cisco's AnyConnect software.

In order to connect to SLAC's VPN, a user must install the AnyConnect client. This allows SLAC to enforce certain access restrictions and checks that the user's computer has all the relevant operating system patch levels, anti-virus software etc. installed.

Requirements

  1. You must have a SLAC VPN account link, and agree to the usage policies outlined
  2. You must be running at least one of the following operating systems
    1. Windows XP SP3
    2. Windows Vista
    3. Windows 7 SP1
    4. Mac OSX 10.6.7
    5. Linux??

This guide currently follows the Windows 7 method of install

Connecting to SLAC's VPN

Open a Web Browser to our VPN gateway

In order to connect to SLAV's VPN, you must have the AnyConnect software installed. By going to the following webpage, we can check to make sure you have the software installed and configured (and up to date), and provide an automated install if you do not currently have the software installed and configured.

We recommend using Internet Explorer 8 under Windows to ease installation

Your web browser should come up with the following series of screens

Allow Cisco Secure Desktop to Check Your System

The web page will instantiate a java applet so that it may check your system for the presence of the AnyConnect software.

This may bring up a dialog box which will prompt you to run the application or not.

  • If you do not wish to see this dialog again in the future, select 'Always trust content from this publish'
  • Click on 'Run' to allow the applet to scan your system
Log In

The following web page will be presented upon the initial system scan:

  • Enter your provided VPN credentials
Agree to the Banner

Upon successful login, a banner will be shown on the webpage.

  • Click Continue
Initiate the AnyConnect Client

A webpage that offers various methods to access the SLAC VPN services will be presented.

  • Click on 'Start AnyConnect'
Install the AnyConnect Software (if required)

If necessary (either because it is your first time accessing SLAC's VPN, or there is a new version of the AnyConnect client to be installed), the web page will present that the AnyConnect software needs to be installed.

You have connected to SLAC's VPN Service

Upon successful VPN negotiation, you should get the following popup from AnyConnect showing that you have connected to SLAC's VPN service

To Disconnect from the SLAC VPN

The AnyConnect client exists as a tray icon; you can get to it from the System tray next to the clock in the bottom right of your screen.


Questions and Answers

I'm using Internet Explorer and I get a 'AnyConnect client install failed'

Under Windows 7, ActiveX controls enable Trusted Sites to assume Administrative access. If you get the following page upon logging into SLAC's VPN, then you need to do the following:

  • Under IE's Tools menu, select Options -> Security -> Trusted Sites
  • Add the following to the list
    • ...
  • Refresh the webpage and the AnyConnect Client should automatically instantiate and connect you to SLAC's VPN.
I'm using Firefox/Safari/Chrome with Windows 7, and I get a 'AnyConnect client install failed'

Unfortunately, none of these browsers support ActiveX and therefore a manual install of the AnyConnect client is required.

  • Download the binary from the webpage

  • Locate the binary file that has been downloaded; it will have a filename in the format of ....
  • Right click on the binary file to get the contextual menu up, and select 'Run as Administrator'
  • Follow the installation prompts, agreeing where ever it asks
  • Refresh the webpage and the AnyConnect Client should automatically instantiate and connect you to SLAC's VPN.
I want to connect my Smart Phone to SLAC's VPN

currently this is not supported

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