/
UNI VPN (Virtual Private Network)

UNI VPN (Virtual Private Network)

eBackground

Connecting to the VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows access to services here at the University of Northern Iowa that are not available from off-campus.  It is strongly suggested that VPN be used from a UNI managed computer or other device.

If there are any issues with installing or connecting, refer to Cisco's Secure Client documentation for Windows or macOS.

Requesting Access

VPN access is not given by default, but can be requested by faculty and staff through the Security Request System (SRS). The most common request is for the external VPN (VPN_External_UNI), but other VPN options are available.
To make this request:

  1. Open the SRS.

  2. Choose Request Roles.

  3. For System: choose VPN and click on Search:

  4. In the search results, select the correct VPN. The External VPN is called VPN_External_UNI.

  5. Click the arrow to select the role.

  6. Provide a justification for why the VPN access is needed, then choose Submit Role Request:

Installing on a Personal Device

Below are instructions to install the VPN on a personal device (not managed by UNI).

Windows

  1. Visit https://sslvpn.uni.edu in your web browser.

  2. Make sure the Group dropdown box has General (or the appropriate option) selected.

  3. Enter your CatID username and password.

  4. Click Login.

  5. If you are enrolled in multi-factor authentication, the Duo prompt will appear. Approve the prompt. Those not enrolled in Duo will skip to the next step automatically.

  6. Click the Download for Windows link to download the VPN software to your computer. The filename will begin with Cisco.

  7. Run the  file that was just downloaded which will install the Cisco Secure Client

    . Approve and/or log into any User Account Control prompts that may appear.

  8. When the install is complete, click Finish. Restart your computer if prompted to do so.

macOS

  1. Visit https://sslvpn.uni.edu in your web browser.

  2. Make sure the Group dropdown box has General (or the appropriate option) selected.

  3. Enter your CatID username and password.

  4. Click Login.

  5. If you are enrolled in multi-factor authentication, the Duo prompt will appear. Approve the prompt. Those not enrolled in Duo will skip to the next step automatically.

  6. Click the Download for macOS link to download the VPN software to your computer. The filename will include secure-client and will be a disk image (DMG) file:

 

  1. Run the Secure Client DMG file downloaded.

  2. Double-click the cisco-secure-client-macos.pkg* file to Install Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

    :

 

  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the Cisco Secure Client. Approve any administrative prompts that may appear.

  2. When the install is complete, click Close. You may drag the Cisco Secure Client - AnyConnect VPN disk mount on the desktop to the trash to dismount it.

Android / iOS

Download the Cisco Secure Client VPN from your device's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store).

Installing on a UNI Managed Computer

Below are instructions on installing the VPN on a UNI managed computer (not personally owned).

Windows

The Cisco Secure Client app can be installed through the Software Center app:

  1. Follow the instructions in the How to Use Software Center article.

  2. Cisco Secure Client should appear in the list of available programs. Look for the program with the icon below, click on it, and choose Install:

    1. If you don't see Cisco Secure Client in this list, create a request for it to be installed through Service Hub.

  3. Cisco Secure Client will install in a couple minutes.

  4. Once installed, you can follow the instructions to connect to the VPN.

macOS

The Cisco Secure Client app is installed by default on laptops, but can be re-installed through the Self Service app. If you don't see Cisco Secure Client in this list, create a request for it to be installed through Service Hub. To reinstall Cisco Secure Client:

  1. Follow the instructions on How to Use Apple's Self Service Application.

  2. In the Search field, type Cisco.

  3. Click Install on the Cisco Secure Client app.

  4. Click Install a second time.

Connecting to the VPN

Once the Cisco Secure Client is installed, follow the instructions below to connect.

Windows & macOS

  1. Find and run the Cisco Secure Client.

  2. Enter sslvpn.uni.edu/General (or the appropriate option) into the box and click Connect if you are using the External VPN; otherwise, type the appropriate VPN address:

     

  3. Enter your CatID username and password. If you are enrolled in Duo, you'll prompted for MFA.

  4. The Cisco Secure Client will connect to the VPN. If there is a long period of inactivity, the VPN will automatically disconnect.

  5. When you wish to disconnect, open the client again and click Disconnect.

 

Android & iOS

  1. Have the Duo mobile app open.

  2. Open the Cisco Secure Client app.

  3. Select Connections.

  4. Select Add new VPN Connection.

  5. Set the server address to sslvpn.uni.edu

  6. Optionally add a description and select save.

  7. On the main screen, enable VPN by toggling the slider on.

  8. Log in with your CatID username and password. Note: If your SRS role has not been submitted or finalized, you will not be able to log in. See Requesting Access above for more details on this.

  9. You will be prompted to select a VPN profile.

  10. Log in with your CatID username and password.

  11. You will be connected to the VPN.