Services - Remote Access - Linux

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Services - Remote Access - Linux

VPN Access for Linux Users

The Cisco AnyConnect VPN client is supported on Linux Kernel releases 2.4 and 2.6 on 32 bit systems, and on 64 bit systems that can run 32 bit code (biarch). The "tun" module must be present on the system.

The version 2.3 Client has been tested these distributions: Ubuntu 7 and 8 (32 bit only), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 and 4, Fedora Core 4 through 9, Slackware 11 and 12.1, and openSuSE 10 and SuSE 10.1. The version 2.4 Client supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Desktop and Ubuntu version 9.x.

NOTE: The main VPN system "bouncer.nps.edu" is currently down. The temporary fix is to change your configuration to use "rounder.nps.edu" using the instructions below:

To download and run the VPN client:

(This procedure was developed by PO1 Garett Montgomery to install the AnyConnect client on a Ubuntu Linux version 8.10 system)

  1. Open your web browser to "https://rounder.nps.edu".
  2. When prompted, enter your NPS account name and password.
  3. Click "continue" at the warning screen.
  4. Java attempts to install the client automatically and fails. It then offers a link to Linux i386 for manual install.
  5. Download vpnsetup.sh
  6. Open a terminal window, then change directory to where you downloaded the file.
  7. Enter the command "sudo sh ./vpnsetup.sh".
  8. Enter the sudo password.
  9. The program will be extracted and installed. You should get a message that installation is done, and the VPN agent is starting.
  10. Check the panel at the top of the screen at the right side near the date. There should be a green bubble/gold lock icon.
  11. If the icon does not appear, go to "applications -> internet". You should see the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client.
  12. Click on the AnyConnect program. Enter "https://rounder.nps.edu" when the client opens.
  13. When prompted, enter your NPS account name and password.
  14. To check connection status, look at the top right side of the screen. The bubble/lock icon should be visible when you are connected.
  15. To disconnect, right click on the icon and choose "disconnect".

Further information is included in the Release notes for the AnyConnect Client. The release notes are available at the following links:

  1. For the AnyConnect version 2.3 client:
  2. For the AnyConnect version 2.4 client: