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Cisco RV180w VPN Configuration for Mac OS X

Chris_Molland
Level 1
Level 1

Hello

I am struggling to configure my new RV180w router to accept a VPN connection from my Apple computers. I would be very grateful for some guidance please.

I wish to use IPSec with Group and Pre-Shared Key authentication. The RV180 has just replaced my 800 series ADSL router and I want my remote clients to be able to connect using either the VPN client capability built into the OS X operating system or the Cisco VPN Client software installed on their Macs.

So far, using the RV180's web setup screens, I have created a VPN Policy and a corresponding IKE Policy was created as well. I couldn't see anywhere to include the 'Group' name. I have created a user but wasn't sure of which Protocol to use so I am trying XAUTH.

At the client end some people are connecting using Cisco's VPN Client software Download Software - Cisco Systems

Some people, with OS X 10.6 and above, are using the Mac OS X network built-in VPN client.

We all connected without a problem to the previous 800 series router using IPSec with Group authentication and Pre-Shared key.

Thank you.

Chris

1 Accepted Solution

Accepted Solutions

Tom Watts
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

Hello Chris, typically the small business routers do not support the TAC / Enterprise VPN clients. The exception to the rule would be the SA500 and SRP500 series which support the Cisco VPN 5.x. If I'm not mistaken, the built-in VPN client on the MAC OSX is about the same as the Cisco VPN 5.x client with the configs, kernel extensions, etc

Unfortunately the QVPN software does not run on MAC computers. Which leaves a couple other options which would be using the PPTP function or using a 3rd party VPN client. 

-Tom Please mark answered for helpful posts http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

View solution in original post

5 Replies 5

Tom Watts
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

Hello Chris, typically the small business routers do not support the TAC / Enterprise VPN clients. The exception to the rule would be the SA500 and SRP500 series which support the Cisco VPN 5.x. If I'm not mistaken, the built-in VPN client on the MAC OSX is about the same as the Cisco VPN 5.x client with the configs, kernel extensions, etc

Unfortunately the QVPN software does not run on MAC computers. Which leaves a couple other options which would be using the PPTP function or using a 3rd party VPN client. 

-Tom Please mark answered for helpful posts http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

Hello Thomas

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I created a PPTP User in the router and found that I can connect to that using the Network Settings built into the Mac OS X operating system.

What is the opinion on PPTP in terms of security and performance?

Regards

Chris

Chris, opinion;

Performance - is good. The tunnel overhead is low because it has less encryption than IPSEC

Security - Fair. PPTP was the first VPN implementation dating back to dial up. The problem is, you should use really strong passwords which of course is subject to human error. Unlike the higher encryption from the IPSEC

-Tom Please mark answered for helpful posts http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

Can you suggest a 3rd party vpn client for snow leopard?

Also I am trying to configure PPTP which should take no time at all. I get a REALLY quick response when I connect using my mac saying the pptp-vpn server did not respond.Try reconnectiong . . . etc etc.

Other than enabling the pptp , enabling the user, setting a username and password do I have to set for the RV180W? If I look at the status->Open Ports screen - I do not see 1723 at all. Shouldn't I because I do see 500.

What am I doing wrong? Even when I log onto a VM on the net somewere, a PC can't connect either.

Hi,

Some users have reported that IPSecuritas works well with the Cisco Small Business routers.

http://www.lobotomo.com/products/IPSecuritas/

For the RV180 I would try to adapt the SA500 tutorial to make it work:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/security/multi_function_security/multi_function_security_appliance/sa_500/technote/note/SA500_mac_appnote.pdf

Please note that this client is not supported by Cisco. If you have questions or issues, please post here on the forum.

- Marty

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