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Academic Computing and Networking Services

Colorado State University

Vista Cisco VPN Installation Guide


If you have a version of the Cisco VPN client already installed on your computer, you must uninstall it and reboot before installing the new VPN version.

  1. Navigate to the ACNS website: http://www.acns.colostate.edu

    ACNS Header Image

  2. Scroll down to the Connecting to the CSU VPN section of the ACNS Home Page.

    Connectring to CSU Network Image

  3. Select the link for VPN (Virtual Private Networking)

  4. Select the VPN appropriate for your location. (Residence Halls – Dorms, On/Off Campus – General Population)

    VPN Client Download Image

  5. Once you initialize the VPN installation on a Vista machine, a User Account Control dialog box will appear.  Note, as long as the User Account Control dialog box is open, your system will move into a "lockdown" mode until you agree to the installation.

    The following message will appear:

    Windows needs your permission to continue.  
    If you started this action, continue.

    Registry Editor
    Microsoft Windows

    Continue button

    Press the Continue button.

  6. Next, a warning message will appear stating the following:

    An unidentified program wants access to your computer.  Don’t run the program unless you know where it’s from or you’ve used it before.

    The name of the application will appear:

    Vpnclident_setup.exe

    Select the Allow button.

  7. Once a VPN client has been selected for download, the Cisco Systems VPN Client Installation Wizard will appear. Read the terms and agreement in which Cisco Systems has set forth for using their product. Continue by clicking NEXT button.

    Cisco VPN Install Step 1 Image

  8. From the License Agreement dialog box, read the license agreement and select the radio button to accept the terms of the agreement.
    Continue by clicking NEXT button.

    Cisco VPN Install Step 2 Image

  9. From the Destination Folder dialog box, select the Browse button and navigate to a folder where the application will be installed.
    Continue by clicking NEXT button.

    Cisco VPN Install Step 3 Image

  10. Select the Next button from the Ready to Install the Application dialog box.

    Cisco VPN Install Step 4 Image

  11. Complete the installation by selecting the Finish button. Note, the installation process length can vary from machine to machine so be patient and wait for the process to complete.

    Cisco VPN Install Step 5 Image

  12. Once the VPN has installed on your computer, you must reboot your machine to finalize the installation process.

    Installer Information Image

  13. After rebooting, open then VPN client by navigating to Start | Programs and open the Cisco Systems VPN Client.

  14. From the VPN Client window, select the appropriate connection profile icon to launch the VPN client and complete your connection to the CSU Network.

    CSU VPN Campus Connect Image

  15. Complete your connection to the CSU VPN Campus Network by logging in using your eID login and eID and Password.

    VPN Login Image

  16. You will have successfully connected to the CSU Network once you receive the "Welcome to CSU VPN" message.
    Click on the Continue button.

    VPN Connect Image