Configuring the Cisco VPN Client for Windows

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Note: Click here to obtain the Cisco VPN "client" software. To properly download and install the product, make sure you first exit all Windows programs and temporarily disable any antivirus software. Downloading the software to the Windows desktop will make it easier to install.

What Your Computer Needs to Use the Cisco VPN SoftwareComputers using Windows operating systems need to meet the below requirements:
 
  • Pentium processor
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, ME, NT, 2000 or XP operating system.
  • A minimum of 10 megabytes available hard drive disk space.
  • 16 megabytes of RAM for Windows 98; 32 MB for Windows NT and Me; 64 MB for Windows 2000 and XP.
     

Installing the VPN Software

Note: Installing the VPN client on Windows XP machines will require disabling Internet file sharing, so answer Yes if prompted to do so.
Obtaining the Cisco VPN software from the MSSG Web page will require logging in with a valid Rutgers NetID and case-sensitive password. Once logged in, save the installation file to the computer desktop. The file will be in a compressed form called a ZIP file:
 



 

  1. Make sure all Windows programs are closed and any antivirus software, such as McAfee or Norton, is temporarily disabled. Remember to enable the antivirus software after the VPN product is installed.
     
  2. Double-click the ZIP file. The WinZip Self-Extractor will start. Click once on the Setup button to start the InstallShield Wizard for the VPN software:



    Note: Windows XP users may see the following message appear. If not, continue the setup.



    If so, just click Yes to continue installation. The following dialog should appear:



     
  3. Agree to the terms of the Cisco license by clicking Yes and continue installing the software by choosing a Destination Folder on the computer:



     
  4. Leave the location settings as they are and just click Next to continue. The software should begin installing the Cisco client into the computer.

    Note: Windows XP users may see the below dialog box appear during the installation process:



    Simply click Continue anyway while the program installs.
     
  5. While the program is installing, a series of small screens will indicate the VPN software is being loaded onto the computer, and a dialog box will confirm that the Network Settings are being updated. The entire installation should take about five minutes, at the end of which the Wizard will require the computer be restarted. The computer must be restarted to use the VPN software:


     
  6. Click Finish and the computer will restart. Make sure there are no disks in the machine.

    Note: Computers using Windows XP with the VPN client installed may start somewhat differently by requiring a login with a password. If a password was not created when Windows XP was started for the first time, just press Enter or click OK to finish starting Windows. That will only need to be done when the computer is started.

     

Creating a Connection Entry to Use the VPN Software

With the VPN software installed, the next step is to create a connection entry, which sets up the parameters under which the VPN operates. Those parameters include criteria such as how long access to the network is allowed at one time, how someone logs in to the network and so on, and unless there are unqiue circumstance the criteria can be left as is.

To create a connection entry:
  1. Start the VPN software by clicking through the Start menu to Programs, Cisco systems VPN Client, then VPN Dialer. The program will display its main dialog box:



     
  2. Click the New button to start the New Connection Entry Wizard. Enter a unique Name of the new connection entry and then if desired, enter a Description of the new connection entry such as these:



     
  3. Click Next and the Wizard will ask for a Host name or IP address of the server. Enter ecomplex-vpn.rutgers.edu in lower-case letters:


     
  4. Click Next and the Wizard will require entries for Group Access information, Password, and a confirmation of the password in the Confirm Password text field:
     
    • Enter rutgers-ipsec (all lower-case letters) as the Name.
       
    • Enter rutgers (all lower-case letters) as the Password, and type it a second time in the Confirm Password text field:
       



     

  5. Click Next and the Wizard will confirm successful creation of a VPN connection:



     
  6. To make any changes to the previous information, click on the Back button. Otherwise, Click Finish to close the Wizard. The new connection will appear in the Connection Entry drop-list when the VPN client software is started.
     

 

Connecting to the Rutgers Network with the VPN Client

Note: using the VPN software requires temporarily disabling any "firewall" software, such as ZoneAlarm or the McAfee Personal Firewall. Remember to enable the firewall after disconnecting from the Rutgers Network.

To connect to the Rutgers Network using the VPN client:
  1. Start the VPN software by clicking through the Start menu to Programs, Cisco systems VPN Client, then VPN Dialer. Select the connection that was just created and a dialog box for User authentication for that connection will appear. Enter your Rutgers NetID (e.g. jsmith) in lower-case letters then your Password (SafeWord cardholders should enter their NetIDs in the format username@rci-staff and use their kerberos passwords). Then click OK.



     
  2. The computer will seek a connection to the network, which may take about 10-15 seconds:



     
  3. Once successfully connected to the Rutgers Network through the VPN, a yellow padlock icon will appear in the system tray:



     
  4. The Rutgers Network is available for use, including secure applications such as RIAS.