VPN Installation for Mac OS

NOTE: If you are using a university-owned device supported by OIT or your local IT staff, consult with them first before installing the VPN client.

Contents

Requirements

  • Operating system: MacOS 10.11.0 or newer
    NOTE: This software may work on older versions of macOS but is not officially supported by Cisco or NC State OIT.
  • Free hard disk space: 50 MB
  • Minimum display resolution: 1024 by 640 pixels
  • Administrator privileges: For installation
  • Security and Privacy setting:
    Allow apps downloaded from:
    “App Store and Identified developers.”
    For details, see Safely open apps on your Mac.

Installing the Software

  1. Download the installer file.
    You may be asked to log in with your Unity ID and password before downloading.
  2. Double-click on the anyconnect-macos-x.x-predeploy-k9.pkg file. (were x.x is a version number)

  3. In the Introduction window,
    click on the Continue button (lower right).

    The AnyConnect installer introduction page.

  4. In the Destination Select window,
    choose the disk where you want to install the software (usually Macintosh HD).
    Click on the Continue button (lower right).

    The 'select a destination' screen of the AnyConnect installer.

  5. In the Installation Type window,
    click on the Install button (lower right).

    The 'installation type' screen of the AnyConnect installer.

  6. In the next window, authorize the installation on your computer by entering:
    1. User name you use to log in to your computer (not your Unity ID).
    2. Your computer login password.
      Then click on the Install Software button.

      An alert to authorize the install for AnyConnect.

  7. In the Installation window,
    a progress bar shows the status.
    Installation takes a few minutes.
  8. In the Summary window,
    which shows the installation was successful,
    click on the Close button.

Using VPN software: Connecting and Disconnecting

Locating the client

  1. In the macOS Finder menu,
    select Go.
  2. Open the Applications folder.
  3. Open the Cisco folder inside it.
  4. In the folder contents, locate
    Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.

Connecting to vpn.ncsu.edu

  1. In the Cisco folder, double-click on:
    Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
  2. In the Ready to connect field, type:
    vpn.ncsu.edu if it does not already appear there.
  3. Click on the Connect button.

  4. In the window that opens,
    from the drop-down menu, select your Group:
    1-Faculty-and-Staff: group for all employees.
    2-Students:  group for all students.
    3-Student-Health-Center: specialized group for Student Health Center.
    (Group assignment is manual.)
    4-Vendor: specialized group for vendor access.
    5-OIT-Staff: specialized group for OIT staff.
  5. Enter your Unity ID (username) and Unity password.
  6. Click on the OK button.

  7. On the right side of the macOS menu bar,
    a padlocked AnyConnect icon:  
    indicates a completed, secure connection to vpn.ncsu.edu.
  8. A similar icon should appear in your dock.

Disconnecting the VPN session

When you finish using your VPN session, be sure to do the following:

  1. On the macOS menu bar,
    click on the padlocked AnyConnect icon: 
  2. From the VPN menu that appears,
    select Disconnect.

  3. Disconnection is indicated by the absence of the padlock from the icon: