Cisco AnyConnect is the recommended VPN client for Mac. The built-in VPN client for Mac is another option but is more likely to suffer from disconnects.

This article will describe how you can configure L2TP/IPsec VPN on MAC OS X. Mac OS X; Access to your Mac OS X with admin or a user that has administrator permissions; Step 1 – Log in to Mac OS X. Click on the icon in the left top corner and click System Preferences.

Overview

1. Connect your Mac to a VPN You can use Network preferences to connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on an existing internet connection. On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, then click Network.
2. Setting up a VPN connection on a MAC is made easy by following the simple 7 step process below! Click the apple in the top left corner of your screen and select System Preferences: In System Preferences, click Network. In the Network section, click the + sign at the bottom left to create a new connection.

Stanford's VPN allows you to connect to Stanford's network as if you were on campus, making access to restricted services possible. To connect to the VPN from your Mac you need to install the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client.

Two types of VPN are available:

• Default Stanford (split-tunnel). When using Stanford's VPN from home, we generally recommend using the Default Stanford split-tunnel VPN. This routes and encrypts all traffic going to Stanford sites and systems through the Stanford network as if you were on campus. All non-Stanford traffic proceeds to its destination directly.
• Full Traffic (non-split-tunnel). This encrypts all internet traffic from your computer but may inadvertently block you from using resources on your local network, such as a networked printer at home. If you are traveling or using wi-fi in an untrusted location like a coffee shop or hotel, you may wish to encrypt all of your internet traffic through the Full Traffic non-split-tunnel VPN to provide an additional layer of security.

You can select the type of VPN you want to use each time you connect.

Install the VPN client

1. Download the Cisco AnyConnect installer for Mac.
2. Double-click the InstallAnyConnect.pkg file to start the Cisco AnyConnect Installer wizard.
3. When the Welcome window displays, click Continue.
   
4. Select your hard drive as the destination where you want to install Cisco AnyConnect and then click Continue.
   
5. Click Install to perform a standard installation of the software.
   
6. At the prompt, enter your administrator account password for the Mac and click Install Software.
   
7. When the software has finished installing, click Close.
   

Connect to the Stanford VPN

Connection Vpn For Macbook

1. To launch the VPN client, open your Applications folder and navigate to Cisco > Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.app.
2. When prompted for a VPN, enter su-vpn.stanford.edu and then click Connect.
   
3. Enter the following information and then click OK:
   • Group: select Default Stanford split- tunnel (non-Stanford traffic flows normally on an unencrypted internet connection) or Full Traffic non-split-tunnel (all internet traffic flows through the VPN connection)
   • Username: your SUNet ID
   • Password: your SUNet ID password
   
   
4. Next, the prompt for two-step authentication displays.
   • Enter a passcode or enter the number that corresponds to another option(in this example, enter 1 to authenticate using Duo Push on an iPad). You may have to scroll down the list to see all of your options. Then click Continue.
   • If your only registered authentication method is printed list, hardware token, or Google Authenticator, the menu does not display. Enter a passcode in the Answer field and click Continue.
     
5. Click Accept to connect to the Stanford Public VPN service.
   
6. Once the VPN connection is established, the Cisco AnyConnect icon with a small lock appears in the dock.
   

Vpn Connection Mac Pop Up

Disconnect from the Stanford VPN

1. Click the Cisco AnyConnect icon with a small lock.
2. At the prompt, click Disconnect.