Connecting to UF's VPN with UBUNTU 12.04

Network services has improved UF's VPN and they now suggest Cisco's "Anyconnect " client for connecting to it. However, with Linux we prefer to use open source software whenever possible, especially when it is easier to install and use, as it is in this case and many others. So here's how to do it.

We need to install the openconnect and network-manager-openconnect packages. First make sure that the "universe" software repository is enabled on your machine. You can do this by editing /etc/apt/sources.list and uncommenting the appropriate lines, or by launching the "Ubuntu Software Center", choosing "Software Sources" from the "Edit" menu, and enabling the "Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)" repository.

If you use the "Ubuntu Software Center" you can now reload the sources and install the two packages. Or, from the command line, type

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install openconnect network-manager-openconnect

Now do the following:

1. Mouse up to the network icon near the right end of the top panel on your screen, click on it, move down to "VPN Connections", and click on "Configure VPN". A "Network Connections" window will pop up.
2. Check that the VPN tab is selected and click the "Add" button. A "Choose a VPN Connection Type" window will pop up.
3. Make sure that "Cisco AnyConnect Compatible VPN (openconnect)" is selected and click the "Create" button. An "Editing VPN connection" window will pop up.
4. For "Connection name" choose whatever you like, say, "UF VPN". For "Gateway", fill in vpn.ufl.edu and click the "Save" button.
5. Then click the "Close" button on the "Network Connections" window.

To use the VPN connection:

1. Click on the network icon. A window will pop up.
2. Click on the button that looks like a plug in the upper right corner of the window, and enter your Gatorline username and password.
3. Click the "Login" button.

That should do it. You will see a lock appear on the network icon to indicate that VPN is enabled.

To close the VPN connection, click on the network icon, move down to "VPN Connections", and click on "Disconnect VPN".

(C) University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; (352) 392-1941. This page was last updated Tue Sep 25 00:38:54 EDT 2012