OpenVPN is a tried and true VPN solution. It's totally secure and infinitely configurable. You can install and run this software without relying on a third party, but the fact that it’s open source and free is what really makes it stand out. OpenVPN can be a little daunting to configure the first time you jump into it, but once you get your configuration worked out, it’s a pleasure to use. After you have the software running on your network, it’s possible to seamlessly perform a great number of tasks. One of the most popular and practical uses for OpenVPN is its ability to enable secure surfing and home network access—whether you're out traveling or you're on an open wifi access point. It can also be used to connect separate remote networks together into one large network that is fully routable. As you can see, there’s really no limit to what you can do with OpenVPN.
- Openvpn Client Configuration File
- Cisco Openvpn Client
- Cisco Openvpn Client Downloads
- Openvpn Client Certificate
Before installing, uninstall any instance of the Cisco VPN client (or Cisco AnyConnect) on your computer. If your operating system is automatically detected, proceed with the automatic installation. If your operating system is not automatically detected, click the 'AnyConnect VPN” download link. After the download is complete, run the installer. Browse our selection of Cisco VPN Thin Client and other HP mobile thin clients, customize your configuration, and always get the best price available along with fast Free Shipping. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Price protection, price matching or price guarantees do not apply to.
For the purposes of this article, I'm going to demonstrate how to set up OpenVPN on a typical home network. The following configuration will give your client PCs secure internet access anywhere—as well as full access to your home network. The information contained in this tutorial will be aimed at Windows users who have a router that has capabilities similar to the Linksys WRT54G.
OpenVPN Installation
First, download the install file from http://openvpn.se/download.html (the file is called openvpn-2.0.5-gui-1.0.3-install.exe). This is the GUI version of OpenVPN. It’s basically good ole OpenVPN with a minimal graphic interface that is accessible from the system tray.
Install this file on the computer that's going to be your OpenVPN server first. The computer you choose to use should be turned on and running OpenVPN whenever you wish to have your virtual network accessible.
Openvpn Client Configuration File
If you have any previous versions of OpenVPN installed, you should shut down any running instance of it before running the install file.
Next, run the install program. During the installation you can choose whether the GUI program is started automatically at system startup. (The default is yes.) I recommend leaving all of the options on the default, and, as a result, all of the following instructions assume that you have installed the program in the default directory. Remember, at the end of the install you will need to reboot the machine.
Developer(s) | Cisco Systems |
---|---|
Stable release |
|
Preview release | |
Operating system | Windows, Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5, Solaris UltraSPARC, Linux (Intel)[3] |
Size |
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Available in | English |
Type | VPN software |
License | Proprietary |
Website | www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/vpn-endpoint-security-clients/index.html |
Cisco Openvpn Client
Cisco Systems VPN Client is a software application for connecting to virtual private networks based on Internet Key Exchange version 1.
On July 29, 2011, Cisco announced the end of life of the product. No further product updates were released after July 30, 2012, and support ceased on July 29, 2014.[4] The Support page with documentation links was taken down on July 30, 2016, replaced with an Obsolete Status Notification.[5]
Availability and compatibility[edit]
The software is not free but is often installed on university and business computers in accordance with a site-license. As with most corporate licenses, administrators are allowed to freely distribute the software to users within their network.
The open-source vpnc client can connect to most VPNs supported by the official client.
VPN Client 4.9.01.0230 beta added support for Mac OS X 10.6.[6] Stable version 4.9.01.0180 appears to lack that support; 4.9.00.0050 explicitly did not support versions of Mac OS X later than 10.5.[7]
VPN Client 5.0.07.0290 added support for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.[8]
Security[edit]
The client uses profile configuration files (.pcf) that store VPN passwords either hashed with type 7, or stored as plaintext. A vulnerability has been identified,[9] and those passwords can easily be decoded using software or online services.[10] To work around these issues, network administrators are advised to use the Mutual Group Authentication feature, or use unique passwords (that aren't related to other important network passwords).[9]
See also[edit]
- Cisco ASA, the product line that replaced Cisco VPN Concentrator on the server side
References[edit]
Cisco Openvpn Client Downloads
- ^VPN Client release notes
- ^Cisco VPN Client v4.x ... Mac OS
- ^'VPN Client Homepage'.
- ^https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/security/vpn-client/end_of_life_c51-680819.html
- ^[1]
- ^Release Notes for VPN Client, Release 4.9.01.0230 Beta for Mac OS X
- ^Release Notes for VPN Client, Release 4.9.00.0050 for Mac OS X, Revised: May 21, 2010, OL-11179-04
- ^Release Notes for Cisco VPN Client, Release 5.0.07.0290
- ^ ab'Cisco Security Notice: Cisco IPsec VPN Implementation Group Password Usage Vulnerability'.
- ^'Cisco Systems VPN Client Group Password Decoder'.