Use checkvpn.uwaterloo.ca to see your computer's VPN connection status.

note

Cisco AnyConnect uses version 4.10. Be sure that you have a compatible OS in order to use the AnyConnect application.

Cisco AnyConnect uses version 4.10. Be sure that you have a compatible OS in order to use the AnyConnect application.

  1. To begin, log into the VPN website with your 8-character UWaterloo username (e.g. myuserna)  and password. Most can use https://cn-vpn.uwaterloo.ca/+CSCOE+/logon.html, but depending on where you are on campus, you may need to use https://vpn-inside.private.uwaterloo.ca


    1. Second Password:

b. Accept the Duo 2FA prompt on your device to continue to the next step

2. After logging in, download the “Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client” by clicking “Download for Linux” and download the script file “anyconnect-linux64-4.6.01103-core-vpn-webdeploy-k9.sh

5. Input the computer password when prompted  (it will prompt you to do this after you run the script).

6. After you enter the password, the program should be fully installed on your computer. You can then open the client by selecting Show applications on the bottom left of your screen. Then click on Cisco AnyConnect.

 

7. After Cisco AnyConnect opens, if you haven't connected before, you will need to specify the VPN server:

8. Enter your 8-character username (e.g. j25rober) and click Connect.

Alternative Method to install VPN in Ubuntu

  1.  First run the command below to activate the TUN module

    sudo /sbin/modprobe tun 

     Note: Some users may receive an error stating that TUN cannot be found, however it can be disregarded if steps 2 and 3 below- Install and Connect --Open Connect successfully.

    If the installation fails, the most likely error that will be received is

    modprobe: FATAL: Module tun not found in directory /lib/modules/...

    To resolve this error, switch to a stable release. If you are already running a stable release, the following steps can be taken to resolve the issue:

    1. Reboot your device

    2. Remove any network-related kernel packages you have installed and update/upgrade your operating system

  2. Install OpenConnect: 

    sudo apt-get install openconnect 

  3. Connect to VPN, run: 

    sudo openconnect -v cn-vpn.uwaterloo.ca 

When prompted to choose a group, type the appropriate VPN group name (UW-Campus, UW-General-Campus, UW-PART) and press enter.

It prompts you to type in your 8-character UWaterloo username (e.g. myuserna) and password and a second password. Once these are authenticated, the VPN connection is established. You will also be presented with the time and date your VPN session will expire.

Keep the terminal window open while the VPN session is active.  

Network resources such as shared folders, NAS drives, servers, and workstations should now be available.  

To close the VPN session, press Ctrl+Z in the terminal window. Abruptly killing the terminal window without properly closing out of the VPN session can lead to issues when attempting to reconnect in the future. These issues can typically be resolved by restarting the machine.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Optional – Install VPN plug-ins for Network Manager 

  1. Install some VPN plug-ins for Network Manager: 

    sudo apt-get install network-manager-pptp network-manager-vpnc network-manager-openvpn 

  2. If prompted for your password, type it, and press Enter.

  3. If you are told that a package “is already the newest version,” ignore it and continue with the next command.

  4. If asked to “continue [Y/n],” press Y, followed by Enter.

  5. Open the connections settings dialogue, go to the VPN tab and add a new connection.

  6. Select “Cisco AnyConnect”: 

Related articles

Related articles appear here based on the labels you select. Click to edit the macro and add or change labels.

Need Help?

Contact the IST Service Desk online or 519-888-4567 ext. 44357.

Article feedback

If you’d like to share any feedback about this article, please let us know.