Can the built in VPN client "Connect to Workplace" in Vista home connect to a Cisco router?

Question

Can the built in VPN client "Connect to Workplace" in Vista home connect to a Cisco router?

Are there any other Cisco compatible clients? I love vpnc, but it only runs under Linux or Cygrin on Windows.

Answer 1

I don't believe that you can use the built in VPN client to connect to a Cisco router. At least I haven't found a way to do it yet.

Answer 2

Unfortunately you pretty much have to run Cisco's proprietary VPN client. Thankfully nowadays it's not too bad at all. I had horrible trouble with it a few years back but now it seems pretty stable on both Windows and MacOSX.

(I'm talking about the Cisco PIX VPN client FWIW)

Answer 3

Hi,

You can use the built-in Windows VPN client (xp & Vista) but there are a few caveats with setting it up. I have done this both on PIX and ASA devices using an additional RADIUS server to handle the authentication of VPN users against active directory. Whether it is possible for you will depend on the model of the Cisco router you have...

Also, as feoh states, Cisco also provides there own VPN Client - current Version 5 is available for 32-bit Windows Vista. The AnyConnect client they provide is also pretty good. However both of these are for Cisco registered customers only.

F.

Answer 4

Cisco VPN devices generally all support ipsec; while more difficult to setup, it is a standard, and your client choices should thus be pretty wide.

Answer 5

As others have mentioned the built in windows VPN client will not work however the Cisco VPN Client is a bit rubbish, the main gripe is it doesn't work on 64bit windows but even on 32bit windows I used to have many troubles trying to get it to connect.

I would instead reccomend using the Shrew Soft VPN Client, its simple, free, open source and it works. http://www.shrew.net/download