Client software (Cisco Secure Client) is provided for various operating systems to establish a VPN connection to Bielefeld University.
Windows, macOS and Linux:
-> Download
Windows ARM64 for Parallels Desktop under macOS:
-> Download
Smartphones/tablets:
Download in the respective app store (search for "Cisco Secrue Client").
Before downloading, please check whether the Cisco Secure Client may already be installed on the (work) computer. In the Windows start menu or under programmes. Installation is then no longer necessary.
Encrypted connection between the end device and the VPN server via a secure connection protocol. DTLS, SSL/TLS and IPsec tunnelling protocols are supported.
Participation in the community of the same name takes place via EDUVPN. After successful authentication, end devices belonging to members of the university receive approval to access the Internet at the respective off-campus location. Instructions for use can be found at https://www.eduvpn.org.
For students
BITS-Beratung (Support Office)
Room: University Main Building A0-301
Mo.–Fr. 09:30–16:00 h
Tel.: 0521 106-12777
E-mail: bits@uni-bielefeld.de
For employees with a PC workstation provided by BITS
Service Desk
Mo.–Fr. 08:00–16:00 h
Tel.: 0521 106-6000
E-mail: servicedesk@uni-bielefeld.de
For other employees
Decentralised IT support of the faculty or institution.
The BITS user name and password are required to download and use the Secure Client.
In PRISMA, you can look up the user name and change the corresponding password yourself. In the "Change passwords" menu, this is the "Network access" entry.
If this entry is not available, please contact the responsible IT support (students to bits@uni-bielefeld.de, employees to their own IT support).
There are usually two reasons for this problem under Windows.
(1) A client firewall prevents the Internet connection. As a rule, the VPN connection or Secure Client must be allowed.
(2) Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is active and prevents the Secure Client from establishing a connection. To deactivate ICS, proceed as follows:
In this case, there is a problem loading the required programme settings. In this case, the following procedure usually helps.
Windows
1.
Uninstall the Cisco Secure Client.
2.
Delete all files in the following directories. Enter the paths directly in the address bar of the Explorer, as these may be hidden.
3.
Then reinstall the Secure Client.
MacOS
1.
Uninstall the Secure Client.
2.
Delete the "profile" folder in the /opt/cisco/secure client path.
This folder may be hidden on the hard drive. However, this folder can be found and accessed by searching for "opt".
3.
Then reinstall the Secure Client.
"Secure Client cannot be installed on this drive. Version x.y.z of the Cisco Secure Client is already installed."
Due to a previous installation, there are still components on the Mac, even if no programme is visible.
Solution:
Enter the command sudo pkgutil --forget com.cisco.pkg.secureclient.vpn or sudo pkgutil --forget com.cisco.pkg.anyconnect.vpnand confirm with Enter.
If necessary, enter the Mac's password.
Close the terminal.
Carry out the installation again.
There is usually one of two causes for this problem.
(1) The problem may have to do with the function of the Windows shared Internet connection. Check the following:
(2) A client firewall prevents the Internet connection. As a rule, the VPN connection or Secure Client must be allowed.
The previous Cisco VPN Client supports the so-called "Start Before Logon" feature. "Start Before Logon" establishes the VPN connection to the university network before the Windows registration takes place. Normally, this feature is not required; it is only important if the Windows registration is to take place via an ActiveDirectory server within the university.
IMPORTANT: "Start Before Logon" is not supported by the Secure Client!
If, in addition to the VPN connection to Bielefeld University, other VPN connections to other departments are to be used (e.g. Fernuni Hagen), then in the Secure Client connection window to the left of "Connect" the name
vpn-gate-1.uni-bielefeld.de
must be overwritten with the server name of the corresponding department. If the connection is successful, the new name will be saved and will also appear in the selection list the next time.