Mac OS X – VPN and OWL

We have received reports from some people that there are issues with the built-in VPN on Mac OS X (specifically El Capitan) and OWL.

I have done some testing in College and confirm that, when using the built-in Mac OS X VPN on my 10.11.3 El Capitan computer, some web pages do not load but others do!

[Update – El Capitan 10.11.5 – the built-in Cisco VPN now works again – yeah!]

Colleagues from other Colleges in Oxford have experienced no problems but then others have. It all seems a bit random at the moment – certainly not “Computer Science” more “Computer Dark Arts”! 🙂

I have been advised that the Cisco AnyConnect Client for macOS will solve the problem. You can download the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client for macOS here – https://register.it.ox.ac.uk/self/software?swp=vpn

NB – By default the Cisco AnyConnect Client for macOS will install three optional modules:

  • Web Security
  • Diagnostics and Reporting Tool (DART), and
  • Posture

It is recommended that you :

  • un-tick Web Security
  • un-tick Posture modules

during installation as they are not needed (the Diagnostics and Reporting Tool can be useful in the case of problems).

cisco-mac-vpn-install-modules

After installing the Cisco AnyConnect software you will find the application in ApplicationsCisco > Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client  

cisco-vpn-mac-application

 You will then be prompted for the VPN server address

oxford-vpn-server

Then you just need to enter your REMOTE ACCESS credentials.