Configuring Microsoft Windows to access the OUCS VPN Service using the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client v2.5

This document contains instructions on how to obtain, install and configure the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client version 2.5 on Windows PCs.. The AnyConnect VPN Client supports PCs running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and above, Windows XP Service Pack 2 and above, Windows 7 and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. The client supports 64-bit editions of Windows (excluding 2000).

In order to use the VPN service, you will need to have the necessary Remote Access Services username and password. For details see the online self registration service page.

Please make sure that you have read the introduction and general requirements, which apply to all VPN clients, before attempting to configure your computer or mobile device to connect to the VPN.

1. Installing and Configuring the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client

1.1. Obtaining the VPN Client Software

In order to use the VPN service you must install the Cisco VPN client software, which you may download from the OUCS self-registration pages.

Log in to the OUCS self-registration pages at https://register.oucs.ox.ac.uk/self/software
Select VPN Client from the list and click on Submit.
If you have not registered to use the VPN software, you will be prompted to do so.
Once registered, you should see the VPN Client download page. Choose the download that is correct for your version of Windows; for example AnyConnect Client for Windows XP SP2+.
If you are prompted as to what to do with the downloaded file, choose the option to [Save] and save the file (called something similar to anyconnect-vpn-winxp.msi) to a convenient temporary storage location on your computer's hard disk. Make a note of the file's location.

Use of the VPN client software is restricted to users of the OUCS Remote Access Service only — see the web page Usage Terms for Software Agreements for details.

1.2. Installing the Client Software

Start the installation program as follows by double-clicking on the VPN setup file from wherever you saved it.
You should now have a screen looking similar to the following; click on Next.
On the Licence Agreement screen, read the agreement text and, if you agree, select I accept the terms in the Licence Agreement. Then click on Next.
On the next screen, click on Install to begin installation.

This may take a few minutes; just let it proceed.
On the final screen, click on Finish.

1.3. Making the VPN Connection

First make sure that you have connected to the Internet as you usually do, using either your broadband connection or a dialup connection (remember AOL, both dialup or broadband, is unsupported and may not work).
Choose the [VPN Client] program from the Start menu under [Programs] (or [All Programs]), [Cisco], [Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client], as shown below.
The first time you run the program, you will need to enter vpn.ox.ac.uk and click on Select.

After a couple of seconds you will then be prompted to fill in your username and password. Please remember to use your Remote Access Account details.

When you run the client next time, the Connect to: box will be populated and you should see the username and password box automatically.
If the connection is successful, you should see an icon with a padlock in the system tray (near the clock on the bottom right of your screen).

Figure 1. VPN connected
If the connection is not successful, the icon will not show the padlock.

Figure 2. VPN disconnected

2. Closing the VPN Connection

Right-click on the VPN Connection icon in your System Tray near the bottom right of your screen.
On the menu that appears, select [Disconnect] and click with the left mouse button.
The padlock will disappear from the icon. This means the VPN connection is terminated but that the VPN client software is still loaded.
If you want to reconnect you can right-click on the VPN and choose [Connect] or [Open AnyConnect] to re-open the program. If you want to completely quit the VPN client you choose [Quit] instead. The icon should then disappear from your screen.
Note that if your internet connection should be interrupted at any time, perhaps because you are using a wireless connection and it has disconnected temporarily, then you will have to re-establish your VPN connection as described above.

3. Further Information

For answers to common questions and solutions to any more frequently encountered problems please see the Frequently Asked Questions for Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client web page. For further information you can also refer to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client release notes.