CAEN Wireless VPN for Mac OS
Note: Mac users can connect to CAEN Wireless VPN without installing the Cisco VPN client. For more information, please see the following instructions:
Users have a choice of how they access CAEN Wireless on North Campus. A web-based authentication system allows the U-M community to log in using their UMICH.EDU (Kerberos) password at a secure web page, and access the Internet. Due to security measures, this web-based system will only allow certain network traffic to pass. For specific information on what traffic is allowed through the web-based system, please see the follow page:
Those who require access to network resources beyond what is described above will need to use the Cisco VPN client for CAEN Wireless access. In general, CAEN strongly recommends that everyone uses the VPN whenever possible to ensure that all of their wireless network traffic is encrypted and secure.
What do I need to connect to the CAEN Wireless VPN?
To connect to the CAEN Wireless VPN, you will need a computer with a 802.11-compliant (b or g) wireless adapter. You will also need to install the Cisco VPN client. The VPN client is available for free download:
Note: There are many VPN options at U-M, both on- and off-campus, using the Cisco VPN client. The client is available for several operating systems, and various profiles have been set up to allow the U-M community to connect to the campus network. Users of the CAEN Wireless VPN will need the UM-on-campus-wireless profile. Further information on the various VPN profiles available at U-M, including a link to download the UM-on-campus-wireless profile, can be found at:
How do I install the Cisco VPN client?
After you have downloaded the disk image (*.dmg) file, it should open automatically; double-click the icon if it does not. Install the Cisco VPN client by double-clicking the installer icon (*.mpkg); this will include both the VPN client and the wireless VPN profile (UM-on-campus-wireless.pcf):
The install will take a few minutes, during which you will be prompted to accept terms and options. Click the Continue button to begin:
When prompted, select the destination hard drive of your Mac, and click Continue. If you have already installed an older version of the Cisco VPN client on your computer, you will be prompted to upgrade the client. Click Upgrade:
Once it is installed, it will be available to you within your Applications folder. To finish the installation, click Close and reboot your machine:
You can now run the VPN client by clicking the VPNClient icon within the Applications folder. The following window will appear:
Depending on the version of the VPN client you downloaded, you may already see an entry for UM-on-campus-wireless listed in the Connection Entries window (Note: If you do not see the entry, you must import it first). After clicking Connect, you will be prompted for your Username and Password. Use you U-M uniqname as your Username, and your UMICH.EDU (Kerberos) password:
Once you enter your password, you will establish a secure connection! There is a status bar at the bottom of the VPN client that will tell you if you the status of your connection, as well as tabs and menus with more detailed information.
Further Information
For more information on installing and setting up the Cisco VPN client, you can visit the CAEN Hotline. Also see Cisco's Release Notes for the VPN client, provided at:
For more information about other wireless deployments at U-M, visit:
