How Do I Install Cisco AnyConnect SSLVPN?

When installing and using the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSLVPN) client problems may occur. This document will help diagnose and solve potential issues that may be encountered. Use the links below to jump to a topic or scroll down to read all of the topics.

Installing the SSLVPN Client

1. AnyConnect is a straightforward installation. To install the client, visit the ASU Cisco AnyConnect website and log in with your ASURITE credentials as shown below:

2. After you have provided your credentials, the installation will start immediately. On Windows machines, the web installation will first attempt to install the AnyConnect client through ActiveX. Note: If you are using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, this will fail, and prompt you to download the client for your operating system:

      

Please Note: For Mac OSX users, the link will display as Mac OS instead of Windows Desktop

Installing through My Apps

Alternative to the steps above, Cisco AnyConnect can also be downloaded through My Apps in My ASU. Please follow the instructions below for installing through My Apps.

1. Click on the My Apps icon on the left-hand side-bar, search in the search bar "Cisco AnyConnect," select Download App Now and download the installation file respective to your operating system.

Note: To see if your operating is supported, view the Supported Operating Systems list for details. 

2. Once you have finished downloading the manual installation, you are now ready to install. After completing the installation, you can now start the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.

Launching the SSLVPN Client

If the web installation completes without failing the automatic session, you will be connected to the VPN. After shutting down your computer, you can always reconnect through the automatic process by going to ASU Cisco AnyConnect website.

If you completed the manual installation of the VPN client, you will need to start the VPN from where you installed it on your computer as shown in the steps below:

1. Search for Cisco AnyConnect and open, as shown below:

        

2. Once you launch the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, you will be prompted with the following window:

     

3. In the blank bar, you should type the VPN server address, which is sslvpn.asu.edu
4. Next, click Connect, and it will prompt you for your login credentials:

5. Enter your ASURITE credentials. Note: The username and password are case sensitive.
6. After entering in your credentials and clicking OK, you will be connected to the VPN and it will confirm you are now connected with a confirmation window that looks like this:

      
 

Disconnecting from the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

1. To disconnect to the VPN, find the icon on the lower right-hand corner of your Windows Desktop:

        

2. Right-click the icon, and choose either VPN Disconnect or Quit.

      

3. You are now disconnected from the VPN. To reconnect, please follow the steps above listed under Launching the SSLVPN Client

Other information and troubleshooting

Remote Connections to either workstations or servers on the ASU Network requires SSLVPN for connections.  For security, Windows XP workstations are not able to make a second SSL VPN secure connection to another system.  Examples are Sybase, Advantage, etc.  Workstations running Windows Vista or Windows 7 are able to manage this without a problem.

Firewall Exceptions

AnyConnect assigns an ASU IP address within the 172.31 range. This means that firewall rules outside of this range will block incoming connections from a remote user connected through AnyConnect. This can be fixed by adding the IP range 172.31.16.10 – 172.31.31.254 the firewall exception scope.

Authentication Failures

If you cannot authenticate in order to use the SSLVPN client, you may not have subscribed to the Border VPN access service. This can be verified at http://asu.edu/selfsub.

If you receive the error "IP Forwarding error" while attempting to connect, then two different steps can be taken to resolve the issue.

• This is most often caused by a conflict with an optional driver installed by some Adobe products. Uninstall the Bonjour application using Add/Remove Programs, or disable to Bonjour service.
• Upgrade the version of Cisco AnyConnect to version 2.2 or higher. A version that works with Bonjour is available at http://sslvpn.asu.edu/

VPN Client Agent Error

If you receive the error "The VPN client agent was unable to create the interprocess communication depot", perform the following steps:

Note: This solution is for Windows 7 OS computers. 

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
   If View by is set to Category, click on View network status and tasks under Network and Internet. 
    
4. Click on Change Adapter Settings.
5. Right-click Shared in the Status column and click Properties.
6. Click the Sharing tab.
7. Clear the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connect checkbox.
8. Click OK.
9. Reinstall Cisco AnyConnect.

Note: This solution is for Windows 8/10 OS computers.

1. Press Win + R
2. Type: services.msc and press Enter
3. Find Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
4. Stop the service
5. Right-click and open the service's Properties
6. Change the Startup type: to Disabled
7. Reboot the computer
8. Install Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Need additional help? Access 24/7 live chat, or create a case from your My ASU Service Center, or call 855-278-5080.