Virtual private network (VPN)

Access secured resources on the uOttawa network.

Installation and connection guides

Overview

Student working on laptop and holding smartphone in raised hand

VPN is not required for common applications such as email, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Brightspace, Adobe Connect, etc.

The University VPN (AnyConnect) is only required if you need to:

Who can access the VPN?

  • All uOttawa employees by using their uoAccess credentials.
  • Graduate students by using their:
    • uoAccess credentials
    • server name/address: uovpn.uottawa.ca/students
    • Please note: Only one VPN connection can be active at a time. If you’re using a personal VPN, please disconnect from it before launching the uOttawa VPN.

Multi-Factor Authentication required

  • Multi-Factor Authentication must be set up before connecting to VPN.
  • When connecting to VPN, you will get a MFA notification on your smartphone
  • Click Approve, or enter the input code displayed on your hardware token to proceed.

Windows

  1. On the Microsoft Store search for the AnyConnect App, or download the Windows file (You'll need to log into LiquidFiles first using your uoAccess credentials required - for example, [email protected] - Then come back to the page and click on and download the windows file to start the download).
  2. Click Install.
  3. Once the installation is complete, click the Launch button to open the AnyConnect app.
  4. Click the Manage VPN option.
  5. On the Windows System settings screen, click Add a VPN connection.
  6. On the next screen, select or input the following options:
    1. VPN provider: AnyConnect
    2. Connection name:  uOttawa
    3. Server name or address:
      • Graduate students: https://uovpn.uottawa.ca/students
      • Employees: https://uovpn.uottawa.ca/uottawa
    4. Click the Save button.

macOS (macBook)

If you the VPN client is already installed on your device, skip to the Connecting to VPN section.

  1. Login to uOttawa LiquidFiles using your uoAccess credentials
  2. Download the VPN client for Mac from uOttawa LiquidFiles. Go to Shares, click the Software link, scroll down and click the VPN link, then download the anyconnect-macos…dmg file.
  3. Once your download is complete, open your Downloads folder. Select the AnyConnect installer package (.dmg file).
  4. The Installer will guide you through the process.
    • Launch the installer 
    • You shall be presented with a screen to select which Package Name (component) of the Cisco Secure Client you wish to install. 
    • Unselect all but the AnyConnect VPN item
    • Click Continue. If a certificate expired message appears, ignore it, and click Continue, 
    • For the Software License user agreement, click Continue, then Agree.
    • On the next screen click Install
  5. Enter your computer password. Click Install Software.
  6. An Installation successful message will appear, click Close .
  7. On the next screen, click Move to Trash to delete the installer package.

Note:

Version of Cisco secure 5.1.6.103 requires macOS 14 and higher.

Supports: Montery, Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia

For Apple Silicon the latest version of Cisco secure 5.x and up does not require the Rosetta 2 intel translation layer as of version 5.x it is designed to run natively on Apple Silicon processors. 

5.1 supports modern macOS versions, including Sonoma and Sequoia and utilizes the modern macOS System Extension framework.

For macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or higher

You may see a prompt asking you to enable the Cisco AnyConnect System Extension. To enable, follow these steps:

  1. Click Open Preferences.
  2. The Security & Privacy section of the System Preferences window will be displayed. Click Allow and then close System Preferences.

Android

  1. In Google Play, search AnyConnect. Tap Install.
  2. Once the app is installed, tap OPEN.
  3. Tap OK to accept the license agreement.
  4. In the main AnyConnect screen, tap Connection.
  5. Tap Add New VPN Connection.
  6. In the AnyConnect screen, enter:
    • Description of your choice (uOttawa is recommended).
    • Server Address field, enter one of the following:
      • Graduate students: uovpn.uottawa.ca/students
      • Employees: uovpn.uottawa.ca/uottawa
  7. Tap Done.
  8. Tap the Android system Back button (usually located at the bottom-left of the screen).
  9. Beside AnyConnect VPN, tap the switch control to turn the connection to ON.
  10. A credentials screen will appear. Tap the USERNAME and PASSWORD text entry fields and enter your uoAccess credentials. Tap Connect.
  11. A Microsoft Authenticator prompt will appear, enter your @uOttawa email address. Visit the MFA webpage for detailed authentication steps.
  12. When the VPN connection is successfully activated, a welcome message will appear. Tap Accept.
  13. A Connection Request will appear, tap OK.
  14. Tap the switch control one more time to deactivate the VPN connection.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. On your iPhone, open the App Store and search for Cisco AnyConnect.
  2. Tap Get to install the app on your device.
  3. Once the AnyConnect app is installed, tap Open.
  4. To permit AnyConnect to send you notifications about connection change tap Allow.
  5. On the main AnyConnect screen, tap Connections, and then Add VPN Connection.
  6. In the credentials screen, enter a description of your choice (uOttawa is recommended).
  7. Tap Server Address and enter:
    • for graduate students: uovpn.uottawa.ca/students
    • for employees: uovpn.uottawa.ca/uottawa
  8. Tap Save.
  9. A pop-up for Add VPN Configurations will appear.  Tap Allow.
  10. The setting window will be displayed and you will be prompted to enter your device passcode to confirm the installation. Once the profile is added, tap the Back option at the top left.
  11. In AnyConnect VPN, tap the switch control to turn the connection ON.
  12. A login window will be displayed. Input your uoAccess credentials and tap Connect. A Microsoft Authenticator prompt will appear, click Approve to proceed. Visit the MFA webpage for detailed authentication steps.
  13. When the VPN connection is successfully activated, you will see a welcome message. Tap Accept.

Linux

Login to uOttawa LiquidFiles and download the Linux VPN client.