The University of Texas at Austin

Virtual Private Network

Connecting to the VPN Client on Linux

Linux users have two methods for establishing a VPN connection:

  • Our web-based installer provides the simplest method of installing the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client and establishing a VPN connection. It requires that Oracle’s Java software be installed.
  • For users who choose not to install Java, the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client may be manually installed from BevoWare to establish a VPN connection.

Web-based Installation

The web-based installation process uses Java.

  1. Uninstall all previous UT VPN software, such as legacy Cisco VPN clients.
  2. Visit vpn.utexas.edu in a web browser.
  3. Log in with your UT EID and password.
  4. The web-based installer will check for the presence of Java. If Java is installed, choose Run when asked to run the idJavaSun application.
  5. The AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Downloader will launch. When prompted, enter your computer’s administrator name and password.
  6. Once complete, a VPN connection will be established automatically.

If Java is not installed, the installer will fail after approximately 45 seconds and will provide you with a link to install the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client manually. Download the file and follow steps 4-7 below.

Manual installation from BevoWare

Some users may opt not to install Oracle’s Java software. In these cases, the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client may be downloaded from BevoWare.

  1. Uninstall all previous UT VPN software, such as legacy Cisco VPN clients.
  2. Visit BevoWare and log in with your UT EID and password.
  3. Download the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Linux.
  4. Open the command prompt; for example, open Terminal.
  5. Switch to the directory of the downloaded file, called vpnsetup.sh, then enter sudo /bin/sh vpnsetup.sh and press Enter.
  6. When prompted, enter your computer’s administrator password and press Enter.
  7. When complete, you will see Done! and be returned to an empty prompt.

Establishing a VPN connection

To establish a VPN connection:

  1. Open the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
  2. Make sure the Connect To field shows vpn.utexas.edu. Click Connect.
  3. When prompted, enter your UT EID and password. Click Connect.
  4. A window will appear indicating that a successful connection was established.

Last updated March 7, 2013 @ 4:42 pm

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