Installing and Using Cisco VPN Client for Windows

Introduction

In an effort to increase security and privacy, the University of Kentucky limits access from the Internet to computer systems on the UK Network. Accessing services that are protected will now require usage of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to the UK Network. A Virtual Private Network uses advanced encryption and tunneling to create a private network connection to the UK Network over the Internet. This effectively connects your remote computer directly into the UK Network, and allows you to access protected computer systems within the UK Network firewall, such as your work computer.

To create a VPN connection to the UK Network, one must download, install and use the Cisco VPN Client software. University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff with a valid email userID and password can obtain, install and use the Cisco VPN Client for no charge. For more information about activating your UK email account, please see the Account Activation web site (http://www.uky.edu/IT/CustomerService/docs/account_activation/).

There are two versions of the VPN Client software for Windows computers: VPN Client for the UK Campus and VPN Client for Medical Center. These instructions detail VPN Client software instructions for the UK Campus. If you have any questions about which version you should have, please contact the IT Customer Service Center by phone (257-1300) or email (helpdesk@uky.edu).

Document Index

• Downloading the VPN Client
• Installing the VPN Client
• Starting a VPN Connection to the UK Network
• Closing a VPN Connection to the UK Network
• For More Assistance

About IT Technical Assistance

This document is maintained and copyright 2002-2007 by the University of Kentucky Information Technology Customer Service Center for the students, faculty and staff of the University. All rights reserved. Duplication of this document is permitted to the aforementioned audience.

Downloading the VPN Client

1. Open your web browser and go to the UK Download web site (http://download.uky.edu).
2. In the Login box, enter your email userID (no AD\ or MC\) and password and then click on Login. The Login box will display your name when you have successfully logged in to the Download site. If you are unable to use your email userID (no AD\ or MC\) and password to login, please contact the IT Customer Service Center by phone (859 257-1300) or email (helpdesk@uky.edu).
3. Under Operating Systems, click on the Windows *All Versions* link. Categories of software will be displayed. Click on the Email and Internet Tools link.
4. A list of software for that category will be displayed. Locate Cisco VPN Client (Campus) from the list. Click on the download link on the right to begin downloading the file.
5. You will be asked whether you wish to open or save the file. Click Save and select Desktop as the save-to location. Click Save. This will download the VPNClient.exe file to your computer, shown in Figure 1.1

   Figure 1.1

6. Once the file has downloaded to your computer, logout of the UK Download site by clicking on the Logout button.

Installing the VPN Client

During installation, the Windows operating system might give extraneous driver warnings. This is not an actual problem with your Windows system or the installer, and the warnings will not hinder your current or future applications. For each Hardware Installation warning that occurs during installation, you MUST choose "Continue anyway" option.

Before installing the Cisco VPN Client software, ensure that you are logged into Windows with a user account with administrative privileges. Also be sure to close all other programs.

1. Start the installer by double-clicking on the VPNClient.exe compressed archive file. The VPN Client installer extractor will prompt you to begin setting up the client, as shown in Figure 2.1. Click on the Setup button to start the installation process. The extractor will automatically expand and run the VPN Client installer.

   Figure 2.1

2. You will be prompted that during the install process, extraneous driver warnings will occur if the Windows Driver Signing Options are not set to Ignore. To continue with the installation, click on the Yes button.
3. You may be prompted that installation cannot proceed unless the Windows IPSec Policy Agent is disabled. To disable the Policy Agent and continue the installation process, click on the Yes button.
4. The Installation Wizard introduction screen will appear. Click on the Next button to continue. The Installation Wizard will display the software License Agreement. Review the Agreement and then click on the Yes button.
5. The Wizard will now prompt for the installation location for the VPN Client software. Use the default install location and click on Next to continue.
6. The Wizard will display the location where the VPN Client can be found in the Start menu. Use the default location and click Next to continue.
7. The Install Wizard will now install the software and update your networking settings. During this time you may experience the aforementioned Hardware Installation warnings. Click the Continue Anyway button to continue installation.
8. After the installation process is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Ensure that Yes, I want to restart my computer now option is selected and click the Finish button. Allow your computer to fully restart

Starting a VPN Connection to the UK Network

Before starting your VPN connection, be sure to close all Internet utilities (web browsers, email clients, SSH/telnet, FTP, etc.). Internet connections made by an Internet utility may be disrupted when the VPN Client is started.

1. Create a connection to the Internet for your computer. If you have a broadband connection (Cable Modem, DSL), ensure it is working properly and your computer is connected correctly to your Cable/DSL modem. If you use a dial-up connection, establish a connection to your ISP.
2. Ensure that the VPN Client is open. From the Start menu, select the Programs menu, then select the Cisco Systems VPN Client submenu and select the VPN Client application.
3. A connection entry for a UK VPN connection will be automatically available to you. Select the UK connection entry by highlighting it in the Connection Entries window (as shown in Figure 3.1) and then click on the Connect button.

   Figure 3.1

4. You will be prompted for User Authentication for your VPN session, as shown in Figure 3.2. In the Username field, enter your email userID (no AD\ or MC\). In the Password field, enter your email password. Click OK to continue.

   Figure 3.2

5. You will be prompted that you have been connected to ukyedu. Click Continue and you will return to the VPN Client window. The window will automatically minimize and appear in the Windows toolbar as a small yellow lock.

You now have a secure VPN connection to the UK Network. You may start up your Internet utilities.

Closing a VPN Connection to the UK Network

1. Ensure that all your Internet Utilities have been closed. Your computer should remain connected to the Internet.
2. Open the VPN Client window by double-clicking on the small yellow lock in the Windows toolbar. The yellow lock should look similar to figure 4.1.

   Figure 4.1

3. The VPN Client window will appear. To stop the VPN connection, click on the Disconnect button in the application window toolbar, as shown in Figure 4.2.

   Figure 4.2

4. Your VPN connection will be disconnected. The VPN Client application can then be closed.

For More Assistance

Please contact the IT Customer Service Center if you have any questions or problems while following these instructions. The IT CSC is open from 7AM to 6PM Monday through Friday. You may come directly to the CSC at 111 McVey Hall. You may also reach the CSC by phone (859.257.1300) or email (helpdesk@uky.edu).