Meraki Windows Vpn

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This article shows you how to download and install the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client on a Windows Computer.

This article is only applicable to the RV34x series routers, not Enterprise products.

Jul 25, 2018 Hey Jerome, Many thanks for your response. I have now resolved the problem. In the VNET Address Space for the Meraki vMX100 (10.200.0.0/24), I added an additional Address Space to the same VNET that matched the Client VPN (10.130.0.0/24) – all of a sudden I could ping all the way through to the servers in Azure in the different subnets.

  • Cisco Meraki Client VPN can be configured to use a RADIUS server to authenticate remote users against an existing userbase. This article outlines the configuration requirements for RADIUS-authenticated Client VPN, as well an example RADIUS configuration steps using Microsoft NPS on Windows Server 2008.
  • Quick script to create two VPN connections in Windows 10 via PowerShell that are set properly for Meraki Client VPN. One connection is for main VPN use and the other is a backup Meraki at another site for DR in case the main site is offline for any reason.

Introduction

AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is a modular endpoint software product. It not only provides Virtual Private Network (VPN) access through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) Internet Key Exchange version2 (IKEv2) but also offers enhanced security through various built-in modules.

Prerequisites

  • Purchase client licenses from a partner like CDW or through your company's device procurement. To find sellers, you can search for the license L-AC-PLS-LIC= Qty=25 Duration=12. For more details on licensing, open the Licensing Information tab below.
  • Download the latest version of firmware available for your router.
  • Windows versions 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or later.

Don't use Windows? Check these other articles out!

Applicable Devices | Software Version

  • RV340 | 1.0.03.21 (Download latest)
  • RV340W | 1.0.03.21 (Download latest)
  • RV345 | 1.0.03.21 (Download latest)
  • RV345P | 1.0.03.21 (Download latest)

AnyConnect Software Version

  • AnyConnect | 4.10.x (Download latest)

Install AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

Licensing Information

This toggled section provides details on Anyconnect licensing.

AnyConnect client licenses allow the use of the AnyConnect desktop clients as well as any of the AnyConnect mobile clients that are available. To try out AnyConnect on mobile devices:

Firmware versions 1.0.3.15 and later

As of March 2019, server licenses using AnyConnect for RV34x fimware version 1.0.3.15 and later are no longer required. Now you will need only a client license to download and use the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. A client license enables the VPN functionality and are sold in packs of 25 from partners like CDW or through your company's device procurement.

Meraki vpn client download

We recommend the following user license for use with the RV340 Series:

  • L-AC-PLS-LIC= Qty=25 Duration=12

Licensing Structure - Firmware versions 1.0.2.16 or lower

If you have not yet updated your firmware, please do so now. Click here to visit the downloads page and select your model. Then select Small Business Router Firmware. Choose the latest version available.

Want to know more about AnyConnect licensing? Here are some resources:

  • AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Features, Licenses, and OSs, Release 4.8.
  • Cisco RV340 Series and Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client Community Discussion Forum.
  • AnyConnect Licensing FAQs.

Step 1

Download the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client here.

Most users will select the AnyConnect Pre-deployment Package for Windows option. The images in this article are for AnyConnect v4.10.x, which was latest version at the time of writing this document.
If you purchased a license and you are unable to download AnyConnect, call +1 919-993-2724. Select option 2. You will need to know your Cisco ID (the one you use to log into Cisco.com) and the sales order number when you call. They will get that situation all straightened out.
Windows

Step 2

Navigate Windows File Explorer to the installer file. Double-click Setup.exe to initiate the installation process.

Check your Downloads folder to locate the AnyConnect files. Browser based downloads are often deposited into the downloads folder on your device on windows. The path to the file often resembles C:Users[Your User ID]Downloads with the C:/ referring to your devices storage drive.

Step 3

A pop-up window may ask for permissions, in this case, select Yes. If your pop-up asks if you are sure you want to run this software, select Run.

Step 4

Check the check boxes for the modules that you need to install.

  • Core & VPN - Includes AnyConnect core client with VPN capability.
  • Start Before Login - User sees the AnyConnect GUI logon dialog before the Windows logon dialog box appears.
  • Network Access Manager - It is a client software that provides a secure Layer 2 network.
  • VPN Posture (Hostscan) - Provides the client the ability to identify the operating system, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software installed on the host.
  • AMP Enabler - It is used as a medium for deploying Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for endpoints.
  • Network Visibility Module - Collects rich flow context from an endpoint on or off premise and provides visibility into network connected devices.
  • Cloud Web Security - It is an endpoint component that routes HTTP traffic to a Cisco Cloud Web Security scanning proxy.
  • Umbrella Roaming Security - Provides DNS-layer security when no VPN is active.
  • ISE Posture - It is similar to VPN Posture; performs a client-side evaluation.
  • Select All - Selects all modules.
  • Diagnostic and Reporting Tool - It is used to collect data for troubleshooting AnyConnect installation and connection problems.
All modules will be installed by default unless you manually uncheck the boxes.
Meraki vpn connection windows 10

Step 5

(Optional) Check the Lock Down Component Services check box if the feature needs to be enabled. Enabling this feature will prevent users from disabling the Windows Web Security service.

In this example, Lock Down Component Services is not enabled.

Step 6

Click Install Selected.

Step 7

Click OK.

Step 8

Carefully review the Supplemental End User License Agreement and then click Accept.

Conclusion and Next Steps after Installation

There you have it! You have now successfully installed the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client on your computer.

Wondering what the next steps are? Don't worry. If you need help configuring AnyConnect on your router, check out Configure AnyConnect VPN Connectivity on the RV34x Series Router.

We want the best for our customers, so you have any comments or suggestions regarding this topic, please send us an email to the Cisco Content Team.

By the way, once the configurations are complete on the router, you can view your connection on the lower right-hand of your screen. Click the up arrow and hover over the AnyConnect icon to see the details.

AnyConnect App

The Anyconnect App can be downloaded from the Google Play store or the Apple store.

Additional Resources

For additional information, refer to the AnyConnect configuration guide.

Client Download

Unlike the ASA, the MX does not support web deploy or web launch, a feature that allows end users to access a web page on the AnyConnect server to download the AnyConnect client. With the MX, there are download links to the client software on the AnyConnect settings page on the dashboard, however, the download links are only available to the Meraki dashboard admin and not the end user. We do not recommend sharing the down link with users as the link expires after every five minutes of loading the AnyConnect settings page.

We recommend downloading the AnyConnect client directly from Cisco.com as there may be an updated version in the Cisco repository. Refer to the doc for the AnyConnect clientrelease notes. We also recommend using either Meraki Systems Manager, an equivalent MDM solution, or Active Directory to seamlessly push the AnyConnect software client to the end user's device.

AnyConnect requires a VPN client to be installed on a client device. The AnyConnect client for Windows, MacOS, and Linux are available on the Client Connection section of the AnyConnect configuration page on the dashboard and can be downloaded by a Meraki dashboard administrator. Please note, the download links on the Meraki dashboard expire after five minutes. The AnyConnect client for mobile devices can be downloaded via the respective mobile stores. You can also download other versions (must be version 4.8 or higher) of the AnyConnect client from Cisco.com if you have an existing AnyConnect license. AnyConnect web deploy is not supported on the MX at this time.

  • Installing the AnyConnect client
  • You only need the VPN box checked. Once the client has been installed on the device, open the AnyConnect application and specify the hostname or IP address of the MX (AnyConnect server) you need to connect to.

AnyConnect Profiles

An AnyConnect profile is a crucial piece for ensuring easy configuration of the AnyConnect client software, once installed. The MX does not support the use of custom hostnames for certificates (e.g. vpn.xyz.com). The MX only supports use of the Meraki DDNS hostname for auto-enrollment and use on the MX. With the Meraki DDNS hostname (e.g. mx450-xyuhsygsvge.dynamic-m.com) not as simply as a custom hostname, the need for AnyConnect profiles cannot be overemphasized. Profiles can be used to create hostname aliases, thereby masking the Meraki DDNS with a friendly name for the end user.

Cisco AnyConnect client features are enabled in AnyConnect profiles. These profiles can contain configuration settings like server list, backup server list, authentication time out, etc., for client VPN functionality, in addition to other optional client modules like Network Access Manager, ISE posture, customer experience feedback, and web security. It is important to note that at this time, the Meraki MX does not support other optional client modules that require AnyConnect head-end support. For more details, see AnyConnect profiles.

When a profile is created, it needs to get pushed to the end user's device. There are three ways to do this.

1. Through the AnyConnect server (MX): If profiles are configured on the dashboard, the MX will push the configured profile to the user's device after successful authentication.
2. Through an MDM solution: Systems Manager, an equivalent MDM solution, or Active Directory can be used push files to specific destinations on the end user's device. Profiles can also be pushed to the following paths:

Windows
%ProgramData%CiscoCisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility ClientProfile

Mac OS X
/opt/cisco/anyconnect/profile

Linux
/opt/cisco/anyconnect/profile

3. Manually: Profiles can also be preloaded manually to the same paths as listed above.

Meraki Vpn Windows 10 Split Tunnel

How to Create a Profile

Profiles can be created using the AnyConnect profile editor. The profile editor can be downloaded from the AnyConnect Settings page on dashboard or on cisco.com. Refer to this link for more details on AnyConnect profiles.

Meraki Vpn Client Setup

Using the profile editor: The profile editor can be downloaded from the AnyConnect Settings page on dashboard or on Cisco.com. The profile editor only runs on Windows operating systems. The screenshot below shows a configured server ton the Server List Entry option.

When configuration is complete, save the profile. It is recommended to use a unique file name to avoid profile overrides by other AnyConnect servers, then you can upload the file to the profile update section on the AnyConnect settings page.

Please note that only VPN profiles are supported on the MX at this time. This means you cannot push NVM, NAM, or Umbrella profiles via the MX.

  • Select enable profiles, upload your xml file, and save your configuration
  • After a user successfully authenticates, the configured profile gets pushed to the user's device automatically
  • The result of the .xml can be seen below, after successful authentication to the AnyConnect server; this gives users the ease of selecting VPN servers on the AnyConnect client
    The Meraki DDNS hostname is not easy to remember, therefore end users are not expected to use it directly. Profiles should be used to make connecting to the AnyConnect server easy for end users.




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