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Installing Cisco VPN for PC Users
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Parts of the school's curriculum are not available from off campus without special connectivity for greater security. The software used to connect directly to the UT Southwestern network is called Virtual Private Networking (VPN).  Cisco VPN has been the software used here at UTSouthwestern; however, there is now a new web alternative to Cisco VPN, it is Juniper VPN.  For directions on obtaining and using Juniper VPN, click here.
(Note:  Information Resources recommends the use of Juniper VPN; however, there are no plans to disable Cisco VPN at this time.)

Examples of systems that will need VPN to be reached from remote locations such as home and while travelling are:

  • Videos of the MS2 lectures
  • e-journal subscriptions
  • Common medical reference books, such as Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, and
  • Internal only content on the Web Curriculum site

Below are the directions for obtaining and using Cisco VPN. Before proceeding, confirm there is no other VPN client installed. This includes any UT Southwestern VPN clients or VPN clients from other institutions.  To review loaded programs in Vista:

  1. Select "Control  Panel" from the Start menu.
  2. Select "Programs and Features."
  3. Review programs that appear in the window to determine if another VPN client is loaded. If so, uninstall the client.

Instructions for Downloading Cisco VPN

  1. Open a browser window. 
  2. Go to the VPN Download page.
  3. Select the appropriate VPN version (Note: version 5.0 should be used on XP as well as Vista).
  4. Select "Save" in the pop-up window.

    VPN PC Install 1

  5. Select "Desktop" from the top of the folder section of the Save As window.

    VPN PC Install 2

  6. Select "Save." The VPN installer will now be saved to the Desktop.
  7. Close all open programs. This is a critical step to ensure VPN is loaded correctly.

Installing Cisco VPN for XP

  1. Double-click the VPN Installer file downloaded earlier. 
  2. A message prompting the need to run the Firewall Exception batch file when the computer reboots will appear. Select "OK."
  3. Select "Unzip."
  4. Select "OK." VPN will now be installed. It may take up to several minutes for the install to complete. During the process several dialog boxes will open and close. When completed, the program will restart the computer.
  5. After the computer reboots, select "My Computer" from the desktop.
  6. Select the C drive.
  7. Double-click the VPN folder.
  8. Double-click the "Firewall_Exception" file. A black window will open and then close by itself. The installation is now complete. To log-in, proceed to the "Running Cisco VPN" instructions below.
    (Note:  Step 8 applies to version 4.7 only).

Installing Cisco VPN for Vista:

  1. Select "Run" from the Download Complete window.

    VPN PC Install 3

  2. A Security Warning window will appear. Select "Run."

    VPN PC Install 4

  3. A reminder to uninstall any other VPN client will appear. Select "OK" if positive no other VPN clients are loaded.

    VPN PC Install 5

  4. If the User Account Control window appears, select "Allow."
  5. Select "Install" from the UT Southwestern VPN Installer window.

    VPN PC Install 6

  6. Select "Install" from the UTSW Addition Profile window.

    VPN PC Install 7

  7. The Welcome Screen will appear. Select "Next."

    VPN PC Install 8

  8. Review the license agreement.  Indicate the appropriate choice.
  9. Select "Next."

    VPN PC Install 9

  10. The destination folder prompt will appear. Select the default location.
  11. Select "Next."

    VPN PC Install 10

  12. Select "Next."

    VPN PC Install 11

  13. When the VPN installation is complete a confirmation screen will appear. Select "Finish."

    VPN PC Install 12

  14. A window will appear stating the need to reboot. Select "Yes" to restart or "No" to reboot manually later.

    VPN PC Install 13

  15. After the system reboots the VPN installation is complete. To log-in, proceed to the "Running Cisco VPN" instructions below.

Running Cisco VPN

  1. To run VPN, follow the appropriate steps for your operating system:
    XP: Select Start |All Programs |UTSW VPN Client |UTSW VPN Dialer
    Vista: Select All Programs |Cisco Systems VPN client |VPN Client
  2. The main screen of VPN will appear. Double-click on "UTSW Remote without NAT." Some Internet Service Providers use NAT and some do not.  If this profile does not work, try the other remote profile.
  3. A window requesting a Southwestern ID and password will appear. Enter the appropriate information.

    VPN PC Install 14

  4. In order to proceed, consent to have the network monitor activity must be accepted. Select "Continue" to acknowledge acceptance.

    VPN PC Install 15

  5. Cisco VPN is now connected and all internal or "locked" materials are available. Access the materials as if on campus.

For assistance with any of the steps above, please e-mail or call (214-648-7600) the IR Call Center.