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 C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Cisco\Cisco Secure Client\VPN 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 (or Cisco Secure Client) icon in the system tray (left of the clock) and select Quit.

10. Re-open the Cisco AnyConnect app (or Cisco Secure 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:

  1. Quit AnyConnect ( or Cisco Secure Client)
  2. In Finder use Go->Go to Folder... to open this directory: /opt/cisco/anyconnect/profile (or /opt/cisco/secureclient/vpn/profile ) where you will find one or more files that end in .xml 
  3. Copy the xml files to the Desktop or another folder, leaving no .xml files in this directory
  4. Start AnyConnect (or Cisco Secure Client), type vpn.illinois.edu and connect.  This will download an updated copy of the .xml file for the profile you are using.
  5. Quit AnyConnect (or Cisco Secure Client) and relaunch - you should now see vpn.illinois.edu either pre-filled in, or in the pulldown menu of choices.



Keywords:VPN CISCO connect Secure Client   Doc ID:47202
Owner:Network E.Group:University of Illinois Technology Services
Created:2015-02-15 17:40 CDTUpdated:2023-08-11 16:04 CDT
Sites:University of Illinois Technology Services
Feedback:  29   5