Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Owned by Chris Tarricone
Last updated: Dec 05, 2024 by Dan Jakubiak
6 min read

Cisco AnyConnect VPN provides anyone with a current Active Directory account split-tunnel access to the UConn network.

This guide covers:

Download AnyConnect

  1. Navigate to anyconnect.uconn.edu. You should be presented with a webpage that looks like a white screen with a Logon box in the center. For the Group section, select General-VPN unless you are attempting to connect to one of the other Realms. Click Logon and you will be brought to a Single Sign On page to sign in with your NetId. If you had already signed in on your browser you may not see this screen. You should not receive a DUO 2FA push that you will have to approve to continue logging in.

    1. For more information on the available VPN Realms, see Cisco AnyConnect VPN Realms.

  2. You will be presented with an option to download and install the AnyConnect Client (available for Windows, Windows ARM, MacOS, and Linux). The screen differs depending on your detected operating system but will look similar to the image below.

    You are presented with a download option based on your operating system.

  3. Click the blue Download for [Insert OS here] button to download the client. Click the (+) next to the white Instructions button at the bottom right to review the process for installing and starting the client for the first time. 

Windows Installation Instructions

You must have the ability to install software on your computer. If you do not have the ability to install software with elevated permissions, you will not be able to complete the installation process. 

  1. Find and execute the Installer. In many cases, the file automatically downloads to your Downloads folder. Once you locate the installer, double-click on it to start the installation.

  2. Click Next > to continue the installation.

  3. Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement, and click Next >.

  4. Click Install to begin the installation.

  5. A confirmation screen will appear. It will look similar to the picture below. Click Yes to continue.

  6. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Connecting on Windows Workstation

  1. Press Start by using your keyboard or selecting the Start button on your taskbar, and then type AnyConnect. Select the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Click Connect if the VPN box says UConn General VPN.

    1. If it does not say UConn General VPN, enter “anyconnect.uconn.edu/split” in the text window.

  2. You will be prompted to enter your NetID and Password. Enter your credentials, and click OK. You will receive a DUO 2FA push that you will have to approve to continue logging in.

     

  3. At this point, you will be connected to the UConn AnyConnect VPN. All of your non-UConn destined traffic will be sent through your ISP as if you were not connected to the VPN at all; anything that is destined for the UConn Network will automatically be sent through the VPN connection. If you double-click on the AnyConnect client while connected, you can check how much time remains before you must reconnect.

MacOS Installation Instructions

If you currently have Pulse Secure installed, it is recommended to uninstall Pulse Secure before installing Cisco AnyConnect. For uninstallation instructions, see Removing the Pulse Secure Desktop Client.

  1. After downloading the macOS installer, locate and open the installer package.

  2. Double-click on the AnyConnect.pkg package to start the installation process.

  3. Click Continue on the first screen of the Installer.

  4. Accept the License Agreement by clicking Agree.

  5. Click Install.

  6. Enter your Mac login credentials. Then click Install Software.

  7. You will see a green checkmark when the installation is complete. Click Close to close the installer.

  8. After completing the installation, you will receive an Attention Required message regarding System Extensions for AnyConnect. You must open Preferences, and Allow the Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter.

  9. Navigate to Security & Privacy. Click the lock to allow changes, and enter your password. Then, click Allow.

  10. You will receive one more pop-up asking if the Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter has permission to filter network content. Click Allow.

Connecting on macOS Workstation

  1. To start AnyConnect, open Finder and proceed to Applications > Cisco. Open the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
    Note: You may have to enter “anyconnect.uconn.edu/split” into the text window the first time. After this, you can just select UConn General VPN.

  2. You will be prompted to enter your NetID and Password. Enter your credentials and click OK. You will receive a DUO 2FA push that you will have to approve to continue logging in.

     

  3. At this point, you are connected to the UConn AnyConnect VPN. All of your non-UConn destined traffic will be sent through your ISP as if you were not connected to the VPN at all; anything that is destined for the UConn Network will automatically be sent through the VPN connection. If you double-click on the AnyConnect client while connected, you can check how much time remains before you must reconnect.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Installation Instructions

You must have sudo access to use the command line. If you do not have access or are not comfortable with the command line, have your local area support provide assistance.

  1. After selecting Download, you will be presented with a window asking what Firefox should do with the file. Choose Save File, and click OK.

    1. Make note of where you save the file and what the exact file name is. You will need this later.

  2. Open a terminal window.

  3. Run the following command.
    sudo bash Downloads/anyconnect-linux64-4.10.0175-core-vpn-webdeply-k9.sh

    1. This assumes you saved the file in the Downloads folder and that the file name is anyconnect-linux64-4.10.0175-core-vpn-webdeply-k9.sh. This filename may change as updates to the software are installed.

  4. From the CLI, type the following command. Do not forget the & at the end of the command.
    /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpnui &

  5. In the Connect to: section, enter anyconnect.uconn.edu/split, and click Connect.

  6. Enter your NetID and NetID Password, and click Connect.

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