Overview

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Download and configure the UCSD Virtual Private Network (VPN) AnyConnect client on your computer, phone, or tablet .  If you would like more information about the campus VPN, see the Virtual Private Networks (VPN) at UCSD page.

See the steps for your operating system:

• Windows 11 / 10 / 8
• Mac OS X
• Chromebook
• Android
• iPhone / iPad
• GNU/ Linux

Critical Concepts

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• You will need your Active Directory (AD) username and password. If you don't remember your AD username or password, you can either reset it at password.ucsd.edu or contact your department's systems administrator.
  
  • Your AD username is usually the first part of your UCSD email address (before @ucsd.edu) and is only 8 character in length.

Two-Step Login

• Two-step login in now required for faculty and staff when connecting to the VPN.  Those who are enrolled in Duo two-step must select a 2-Step Secured group to use two-step on VPN.
• Using a passcode or an alternative method to perform two-step login requires a little bit of extra typing to get it to work as expected.  If you are using two-step login on the VPN, we highly recommend reviewing the instructions on Duo Two-Step on VPN knowledge article.
  
  

Steps to take

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Windows 11 / 10 / 8

Before you begin: You must log into your computer with administrator rights.

1. Download the AnyConnect Client, then click Run.
2. Install the AnyConnect Client:
   
   1. Click Next to begin the installation.
   2. Accept the terms, and click Next.
   3. Click Install.
   4. You may be asked if you want to allow the following program to install software on this computer - Click Yes.
   5. Click Finish.
   6. Restart your system.
3. Run the AnyConnect client.
   
   • On Windows 10 and 11:  Click on the Windows Start Button (this will display the Windows Start Menu).  Click on All Apps and choose the Cisco folder.
   • On Windows 8:  Click Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client in your Start Menu.
4. In the first window, enter vpn.ucsd.edu in the box and click on the Connect button to the right.
5. A second window will appear.  Select your desired connection profile from the Group drop-down menu:
   
   • 2-Step Secured options - Need to be used if you are enrolled in Duo Two-Step authentication.
   • split - Route only campus traffic through the UCSD VPN.  All other traffic goes through your normal Internet provider.
   • allthruucsd - Route all traffic through the UCSD VPN.
     
     • Use this option when accessing Library resources and the CMS.
6. Enter your Active Directory username and password.  If you are using Duo Two-Step, please stop here and review how to use two-step on the VPN.
7. Click Ok.
   
   • 
8. To disconnect after your session is finished:
   
   1. Click on the Windows Start Button (this will display the Windows Start Menu). Click on All Apps and choose the Cisco folder. Proceed with selecting the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
   2. When the window appears, select Disconnect.
      
      

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Mac OS X

You must log into your computer with administrator rights.

Computer must be running Mac OS X 10.10.x and above to use the Cisco AnyConnect Client. Older Mac operating systems are no longer supported.

1. Uninstall old client by following these steps (this will require a computer restart:
   
   1. Go to your Applications folder.
   2. Locate and double-click on the Cisco folder.
   3. Double-click on Uninstall AnyConnect.
   4. Click Uninstall.
   5. Enter your computer's administrator password.
   6. You will then see a message saying that, "AnyConnect has been uninstalled".
      
      • Click Close.
   7. Restart your computer.
2. Download the VPN AnyConnect client.
3. Save the client to your desktop.
4. After the download completes, double-click the anyconnect-macos installation file. The AnyConnect icon shown below will appear on your desktop.
   
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5. Double-click the AnyConnect drive image.
6. Run the installation package by double-clicking on the AnyConnect file inside of the window
   
   •  
7. Install the AnyConnect Client:
   
   1. Click Continue to begin the installation.
   2. When prompted, click Continue.
   3. Click Continue.
   4. When the Software License Agreement window appears, click Agree to accept.
   5. Click Continue.Click Install.
   6. If prompted, enter your Administrative (system) username and password.
   7. When you see the Install Succeeded pop-up window, click Close to continue.
8. Run the AnyConnect client by going to the Cisco folder in Applications and double-click the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
9. Enter vpn.ucsd.edu in the Connect to field.
10. Press the return (enter) key.
11. Select your desired connection profile from the Group drop-down menu:
    
    • 2-Step Secured options - Need to be used if you are enrolled in Duo Two-Step authentication.
    • split – Route only campus traffic through the UCSD VPN. All other traffic goes through your normal Internet provider.
    • allthruucsd – Route all traffic through the UCSD VPN.
      
      • Use allthruucsd when accessing Library resources and the CMS.
12. Enter your AD username and password.  If you are using Duo Two-Step, please stop here and review how to use two-step on the VPN.
13. Click Connect.
14. To disconnect when your session is finished:
    
    1. Click the AnyConnect client icon located near the top right corner of your screen.
    2. Select Quit.

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Chromebook

1. Download the Cisco AnyConnect app on the Chrome Webstore.
2. Launch the app and click on Add New Connection.
3. Under Server Address enter: vpn.ucsd.edu
4. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the window.
5. Click on the profile icon on the bottom of right of the desktop.
6. Where your networks are displayed, click on VPN disconnected.
7. Choose the vpn.ucsd.edu (user) option.
8. Make sure the group is allthruucsd or 2-Step Secured - allthruucsd.  You must use the "2-Step Secured" option if you are enrolled in Duo Two-Step authentication.
9. In the Username field, enter your Active Directory (AD) username.
10. In the Passcode field, enter your Active Directory (AD) password. If you are using Duo Two-Step, please stop here and review how to use two-step on the VPN.
    
    

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Android

1. Open the Google Play store on your Android device and search for "Cisco AnyConnect"
2. Click Install
3. Enter the VPN Connection:
   
   1. Open the AnyConnect app
   2. Select Connections
   3. Select Add New VPN Connection
   4. In Description enter: UCSD
   5. In Server Address enter: vpn.ucsd.edu
   6. Click Done.
   7. 
4. On the AnyConnect home screen, turn on AnyConnect by selecting the Off toggle (it will change to On)
5. A second window will appear.  Select your desired connection profile from the Group drop-down menu:
   
   • 2-Step Secured options - Need to be used if you are enrolled in Duo Two-Step authentication.
   • split – Route only campus traffic through the UCSD VPN. All other traffic goes through your normal Internet provider.
   • allthruucsd – Route all traffic through the UCSD VPN.
     
     • Use allthruucsd when accessing Library resources and the CMS.
6. In the username field, enter your Active Directory (AD) username
7. In the Passcode field, enter your Active Directory (AD) password.  If you are using Duo Two-Step, please stop here and review how to use two-step on the VPN.
8. Click Connect.
9. To disconnect from the VPN:
   
   1. Open the AnyConnect client
   2. On the AnyConnect home screen, turn off AnyConnect by selecting the On toggle (it will change to Off)
      
      

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GNU/ Linux

Before you begin: You must either log into your computer with administrator rights or have the system root password.

1. Download the VPN AnyConnect client.
2. Save the client to your desktop.
3. After the download completes, click Terminal under Accessories in the Applications main menu.
4. Run the installation script:
   
   1. Type sudo su and press enter to elevate your user permission.
   2. Enter your system root password when prompted.
   3. Go to the directory where the installation package downloaded. In this case type cd Desktop and press enter.
   4. Type tar vxzf [filename]. Filename is the version of AnyConnect you downloaded. Press enter to decompress the installation package.
   5. Go to the directory where the installation package extracted by typing cd /home/yourusername/Desktop/[uncompressed filename]/vpn and press enter.
   6. Type ./vpn_install.sh and press enter to execute the installation script.
      
      • This screenshot is from a 32-bit installation:
      • 
5. Run the AnyConnect client by clicking on the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client under Internet in the Applications main menu.
6. Enter vpn.ucsd.edu in the Connect to field.
7. Click Connect.
8. Select your desired connection profile from the Group drop-down menu:
   
   • 2-Step Secured options - Need to be used if you are enrolled in Duo Two-Step authentication.
   • split – Route only campus traffic through the UCSD VPN. All other traffic goes through your normal Internet provider.
   • allthruucsd – Route all traffic through the UCSD VPN.
     
     • Use when accessing Library resources
9. Enter your AD username and password.  If you are using Duo Two-Step, please stop here and review how to use two-step on the VPN.
10. Click Connect.
11. To disconnect when your session is finished:
    
    1. Right-click the AnyConnect client icon located near the top right corner of your screen.
    2. Select Quit.