Jump to main content

Quicklinks

Cisco Secure Client for macOS

Important note on the time display of the socket filter in the menu tab at the top right!
Please note that the time display in the socket filter does NOT provide any information about whether you are connected to the VPN. This time runs independently of your VPN connection and has not been implemented differently for technical reasons!
We recommend that you check the VPN connection separately to ensure that you are connected. (Programs > Cisco > Cisco Secure Client)

Thank you for your understanding!
To hide the time display, click on the symbol next to the time and uncheck "Show connection duration".

VPN - Installation of the Cisco Secure Client

Install the Cisco Secure Client to establish a VPN connection to the university network. To do this, download the installation package. You will need to log in with your University-Account. After that please follow the instructions down below.

Please make sure that you have at least one of the three latest macOS versions installed!

Important note on uninstalling the Cisco Secure Client

Please only uninstall the Cisco Secure Client using the manufacturer's uninstall tool, which can be found in Finder->Programs->Cisco->Uninstaller.

If you have not done this, please refer to our troubleshooting tips.

Installing the Cisco Secure Client

  1. Double-click on the downloaded file to start the installation of the Cisco Secure Client.
  2. Follow the installation instructions and install the program.
  3. At the end of the installation, your Mac will display a message. Click on "Open System Preferences" to activate the "Cisco Secure Client - Socket Filter" extension.
  4. You will be redirected to the system settings. Click on "Allow" under "Loading the system software of the "Cisco Secure Client - Socket Filter" program has been blocked".
  5. In the next message, click on Allow.
  6. Another message will appear asking you to open the system settings to activate the "Any Connect VPN Service". Follow the instructions in the message and click on "Open System Settings"
  7. Now click on the "Cisco Secure Client - AnyConnect VPN Service" slider under Login items to activate it.
  8. The installation is now complete.

Configuration of the Cisco Secure Client

  1. Open the Cisco Secure Client on your Mac. Enter the following server address: vpngate.uni-koeln.de and click on "Connect".
  2. You will be redirected to the Shibboleth login via your standard browser. If you want to change the tunnel type, minimize the browser window and select the tunnel type in the Cisco Secure Client dialog box.
  3. Then log in to Shibboleth with your user name and password.
  4. If the login was successful, you will receive a message in your browser. You can now close it. If you are using multi-factor authentication (MFA), you will first be redirected to Cisco Duo. You can find help and instructions for using Cisco Duo here.

Troubleshooting

Error message "Not enrolled in Duo"

If you receive an error message with the title "Not enrolled in Duo" during multi-factor authentication, then you have not yet set up multi-factor authentication.

Information on setting up multi-factor authentication can be found here.

Message in Cisco Duo "Enter bypass code"

If you are asked to enter a bypass code, it is very likely that the initial registration of your device for multi-factor authentication has not been completed. Contact the ITCC helpdesk and ask to be able to carry out the initial registration again.

Then make sure that you do not interrupt the initial registration process at any point the next time.

Problems during installation/configuration

If you encounter problems during installation or setup on your device, please refer to our help page: