Setting up the Cisco VPN client. Download the Cicso VPN client for macOS from our Self Registration page. Launch the downloaded installer file and click through the screens to complete the installation. Go to your Applications folder and open the Cisco folder. Double-click on the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Enter vpn.ox.ac.uk into the dropdown box. The instructions below are tested on Mac OS 10.7.3 (Lion). Open System Preferences Network from Mac applications menu. Click the '+' button to create a new service, then select VPN as the interface type, and choose L2TP over IPsec from the pull-down menu. Server Address: E nter the hostname (e.g.com) or the active WAN IP (e.g. Hostname is encouraged.

KB ID 0001693

Problem

We mac users always get overlooked. If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard ‘Yeah we don’t support macs?” I would be a rich man. But thankfully this makes us work things out for ourselves usually!

So recently I did a article Azure: Point To Site VPN (Remote Access User VPN) but what if you want to use the same solution for a remote mac user?

Solution

Firstly you will want to download the VPN package (and have a valid client/user certificate, [see the link above]).

Obviously the installer is for Windows, but within the ZIP file you download, it has a copy of the XML file with the settings in it, and a copy of the Root CA certificate you used.

So your first job is to ‘import‘ the client certificate, it will be in PFX format, (if you followed my instructions), so you will need to supply the password you specified when creating the PFX file (not the mac password), when prompted to install it (double click on it).

The engineer in me isn’t quite sure why the client needs the Root CA certificate on it, (because that’s not how certificates work!) But Microsoft insist it’s necessary, so also double click and install the Root CA Certificate, (it’s inside the VPN Package).

You don’t need to install VPN software onto the mac, (it has its own built in). Click the Apple Logo > System Preferences > Network > Add > Interface = VPN > VPN Type = IKEv2 > Service Name = Azure-Client-VPN > Create.

Now open the XML file from within you VPN client software ZIP file, and locate the FQDN of the ‘Gateway’ address in Azure > Copy it to the clipboard.

Vpn Client For Mac Os X

Paste the server address into BOTH Server Address AND Remote ID > (Leave Local ID blank for now) > Authentication Settings

For

WARNING: I’m using mac OS Catalina, so I choose ‘None’ (NOT CERTIFICATE). But for mac OS Mojave (and older) CHOOSE CERTIFICATE). It’s a bug that causes an error (see below) if you don’t.

Select > Choose the CLIENT certificate you imported earlier, (Take note of the name in brackets, this is the common nameon the certificate). You will need this in a minute! > Continue > OK.

Put the Common Name from the certificate into the Local ID section > Apply > Connect.

All being well it should connect, (though it may prompt for you to enter your user password). BY DEFAULT the option ‘Show VPN Status in Menu Bar‘ should be ticked, if it isn’t then tick it.

With that option ticked, you can connect and disconnect the VPN quickly without needing to go back into System Preferences like so;

Error: VPN Connection, ‘An unexpected error occurred’

Remember above when I said choose ‘None‘ for Catalina, NOT certificate? Well this is what happens if you choose certificate!

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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This article covers how students, faculty, and staff install the Pulse Secure VPN client on Mac OS X 10.13 and higher.
Mac OS Updates
Pulse Secure is constantly working to keep their client functioning with the latest Mac operating system. A new client will be released when needed to support any OS updates.
Mac OS 10.15 - Catalina
Mac users who upgrade to Catalina (macOS 10.15) may need to uninstall the Pulse Secure client and reinstall it if they find the application no longer functions after the upgrade.


Installing Pulse Secure on Mac OS 10.13 or 10.14

  1. Download the Pulse Secure Desktop client for Mac OS X.
  2. Click on the file to extract the installer.
  3. Double click on the pkg file to initiate the install process.
  4. Once the installer begins, click Continue.
  5. Click Install to begin the installation.
  6. During the installation process you should expect to see several pop-up messages informing you of security steps that need to be taken to complete the install.
    1. Click OK on the first two messages.
    2. Click 'Open Security Preferences' in the third message to open up the 'Security & Privacy' settings window.
  7. Once the Security & Privacy window has opened, look for the following message: System software from developer 'Pulse Secure LLC' was blocked from loading.
  8. Next to the message, click Allow to enable the extension.
  9. If you do not receive the above mentioned pop-up messages, you will need to manually permit the Pulse Secure Client the required access.
    If you wait longer than 30 minutes to complete this process, you will need to uninstall and reinstall the client and then follow this process again.
    1. To manually permit access to the client,
      1. Click the Apple menu at the top left of your desktop.
      2. Click System Preferences.
      3. Click Security & Privacy.
      4. Click the lock to make changes.
      5. Click the General tab.
      6. Under Allow apps downloaded from, select App Store and identified developers
      7. Look for the following message: System software from developer 'Pulse Secure LLC' was blocked from loading.
      8. Next to the message, click Allow to enable the extension.
  10. Close the Security & Privacy window. The kernel extension will have been authorized and full functionality of the Pulse Desktop client should be available.

Installing Pulse Secure on Mac OS 10.15 or higher

  1. Download the Pulse Secure Desktop client for Mac OS.
  2. Click on the file to extract the installer.
  3. Double click on the pkg file to initiate the install process.
  4. Review the following warning, select 'OK'
  5. Navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General
  6. Find the warning ' 'PulseSecure.pkg' was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer.' Select 'Open Anyway'
  7. Review the following warning, select 'Open'.
  8. Run through the installation process.

Configuring the Pulse Secure VPN Client after installation is complete

  1. Open the Pulse Secure client, which should be shown at the top right corner of the screen.
  2. Create a new connection using the + in the bottom left corner.
  3. Enter the following info:
  4. Click Add.
  5. Close the client.
  6. To start the VPN session, go back to the Pulse Secure client in the top right corner of the screen.
    1. Select the connection you created.
    2. Select Connect.

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