VPN, CISCO AnyConnect, Default server is incorrect in dropdown menu, Windows, Mac
These steps are best used for when the default server is not vpn.illinois.edu upon start up.
Windows:
1. Log in to the VPN normally per the instructions at VPN, CISCO AnyConnect, Installation Instructions for Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 .
2. Open a Windows Explorer window.
3. Copy this file path: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
or %USERPROFILE%AppData\Local\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client if not installed on a C: drive.4. Paste the copied path into the Address Bar in Windows Explorer.
5. Press Enter.
6. Right-click the preferences.xml file and select Edit
7. Edit the Default Host Name line (by default, this line reads <DefaultHostName></DefaultHostName>) to the following: <DefaultHostName>vpn.illinois.edu</DefaultHostName>
8. Click File > Save.
9. Quit the VPN client by right-clicking the Cisco AnyConnect icon in the system tray (left of the clock) and select Quit.
10. Re-open the Cisco AnyConnect client by selecting it from the Start Menu
11. vpn.illinois.edu should automatically populate in the text box.
Optional: In step 7, you can also edit the Default User line to include your username by adding the following: <DefaultUser>netid</DefaultUser>
Mac:
- Quit AnyConnect
- In Finder use Go->Go to Folder... to open this directory: /opt/cisco/anyconnect/profile where you will find one or more files that end in .xml
- Copy the xml files to the Desktop or another folder, leaving no .xml files in this directory
- Start AnyConnect, type vpn.illinois.edu and connect. This will download an updated copy of the .xml file for the profile you are using.
- Quit AnyConnect and relaunch - you should now see vpn.illinois.edu either pre-filled in, or in the pulldown menu of choices.