myVPN Setup for GNU/Linux

Install a CLI client | Install a GUI client

 

Install a CLI client in GNU/Linux that will connect to UBC’s MYVPN service

  1. Navigate to the Terminal
    1. Click on Show Applications in the bottom left hand corner
    2. Type Terminal in the search bar
    3. Click on the Terminal application
       

       
  2. Install the OpenConnect VPN client using your distributions package manager
    1. In the Terminal window:
      1. For Debian/Ubuntu, type: sudo apt install openconnect
      2. For Redhat CENTOS Fedora, type: sudo yum install openconnect
    2. Enter your password (if required) and press enter
    3. Type y and press enter to accept changes
    4. The OpenConnect application will install
       

       
  3. Connect to myVPN using the OpenConnect VPN client
    1. In the Terminal window, type: sudo openconnect myvpn.ubc.ca
    2. If required, enter your password and press enter
    3. Enter your CWL username and press enter
    4. Enter your password and press enter
    5. myVPN should now be connected
       

       
  4. Remain Connected to myVPN
    1. The terminal window must remain open after connecting to myVPN. Closing the terminal or using ctrl-c will disconnect the VPN.
  5. More connection options
    1. To use a VPN pool add .poolname at the end of your CWL (e.g. jdoe.poolname)
    2. To use MFA add @app or @phone to the end of your CWL/pool (e.g. jdoe@app or jdoe@phone)
    3. To use a VPN pool and MFA, add .poolname at the end of your CWL, followed by your preferred method of MFA (e.g. jdoe.poolname@app)
       
       

Install a GUI client in GNU/Linux that will connect to UBC’s MYVPN service

  1. Navigate to the Terminal
    1. Click on Show Applications in the bottom left hand corner
    2. Type Terminal in the search bar
    3. Click on the Terminal application
       

       
  2. Install the OpenConnect GUI VPN client using your distributions package manager
    1. In the Terminal window:
      1. For Debian/Ubuntu, type: sudo apt install network-manager-openconnect-gnome
      2. For Redhat CENTOS Fedora, type: sudo yum install network-manager-openconnect-gnome
    2. Type y and press enter to accept changes
    3. The OpenConnect GUI VPN client will install
       

       
  3. Open gnome3 settings and add the VPN
    1. Click on Show Applications in the bottom left hand corner
    2. Type Network in the search bar
    3. Click on the Network application under settings
    4. Click on the + button to the right of VPN in the bottom left hand corner
    5. Click on Cisco Secure Client
    6. Rename the VPN to a recognisable name – we chose “UBC myVPN
    7. Under Gateway, type: myvpn.ubc.ca
    8. Click add
    9. myVPN has now been added to the gnome3 client (OpenConnect GUI VPN client)

       
  4. Connect to myVPN
    1. Click on the connection logo () in the top right hand corner of the home screen (system tray)
    2. Click on the VPN drop down
    3. Click Connect
    4. Enter your CWL username and password
    5. Click Login
    6. Click on the connection logo () in the top right hand corner of the home screen (system tray) and you should now see that you are connected to myVPN
    7. You may also see a new connection icon in your system tray, in the top right hand corner of your screen. The icon can vary depending on your distribution and version.
       

       
  5. Disconnect myVPN
    1. Click on the connection logo () in the top right hand corner of the home screen (system tray)
    2. Click on the VPN drop down
    3. Click Turn Off
       

       
  6. More connection options
    1. To use a VPN pool add .poolname at the end of your CWL (e.g. jdoe.poolname) when signing in
    2. To use MFA add @app or @phone to the end of your CWL/pool (e.g. jdoe@app or jdoe@phone)
    3. To use a VPN pool and MFA, add .poolname at the end of your CWL, followed by your preferred method of MFA (e.g. jdoe.poolname@app)

 

Page last updated on April 7, 2025


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