Aun’s Blog

64-bit IPSec VPN client for *nix

Looking for a Cisco IPSec VPN Client to use on your 64-bit *nix OS? Well, for those of you who have already figured out that Cisco has not developed one for 64-bit OS’s, there is, however, a great alternative for people who use a 64-bit *nix OS. As mentioned in a previous post, there is a client developed by Maurice Massar that works with Cisco VPN Concentrators (ASA, 3000 Concentrator and IOS Routers), called vpnc that has worked well for me thus far. I have been using it on my 64-bit Ubuntu 8.04 desktop, and have yet to see any issues. You can use vpnc with Cygwin on Windows, however, I am not sure how well Cygwin works with 64-bit Windows.

Disclaimer: This client is not developed or supported by Cisco Systems. So, use at your own risk.

Installed Ubuntu and loving it!

Installed 64-bit Ubuntu on my z61p - it “just works”! The best part of it was the live cd, which allowed to me to preview it on the laptop without installing it. Worked flawlessly! Impressive! Time to install. On the Desktop of  your “live” session, there is an Install link. Double-click and you’re on your way! Wooooo!! It takes the settings from your live session and configures them on your actual installation - perfect! Now, to make this my primary workstation, the only thing I would need is to be able to VPN into work. There is no 64-bit Cisco IPSec VPN Client! Alas! A quick search through the Synaptics Package Manager for “vpn”, I found vpnc. Worked like a charm! Ubuntu far exceeded my expectations. I… LOVE… IT!

iPhone 2.0 and Cisco IPSec VPN

Looks like the new software will have the Cisco IPSec VPN Client built-in! People won’t have to do L2TP (over IPSec) any more! Yay!