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VPN - Connecting with Cisco Secure Client

KB Article: KB00346
Original Source: TeamDynamix KB
Last Updated: January 2026
Applies To: All Texas A&M students, faculty, and staff

Overview​

Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is a method of providing a more secure network connection from public or untrusted networks. When a VPN connection is established, it creates an encrypted communication path between your computer and the VPN server. This helps to protect your network traffic from many types of common network attacks, which could be used to expose your personal information.

Because the Texas A&M VPN server is hosted within the university firewall, a VPN connection will also provide access to university resources that are not typically available from non-TAMU connections. Texas A&M uses the Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect) software for its VPN connection.

Windows​

note

Cisco Secure Client VPN software requires Windows 8.1 and later.

  1. Go to connect.tamu.edu and log in with your NetID and password.
    • A silent DUO push will be sent to your device. The default method is a push notification.
  2. Select your GROUP option:
    • tunnel_all_traffic — Routes all internet traffic through VPN (required for accessing library resources)
    • tunnel_tamu_traffic — Only routes TAMU-destined traffic through VPN
  3. Click the Download for Windows button.
  4. Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts.
  5. After installation, launch Cisco Secure Client and enter connect.tamu.edu as the server.
  6. Click Connect and enter your NetID credentials.
  7. Accept the Duo push notification to complete the connection.

Mac​

note

Cisco Secure Client software requires macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and later.

  1. Go to connect.tamu.edu and log in with your NetID and password.
  2. Select your GROUP option (tunnel_all_traffic or tunnel_tamu_traffic).
  3. Click Download for macOS when prompted.
  4. Open the downloaded .dmg file and run the installer.
  5. You may need to enter your Mac's admin password during installation.
  6. After installation, the Cisco Secure Client icon appears in your menu bar.
  7. Click the icon, enter connect.tamu.edu, and click Connect.
  8. Enter your NetID credentials and accept the Duo push.

Linux​

note

Cisco Secure Client VPN software requires Red Hat 6.1 and later.

  1. Go to connect.tamu.edu and log in with your NetID and password.
  2. Select your GROUP option and click Download for Linux.
  3. Open a terminal and navigate to Downloads: 
    cd ~/Downloads
  4. Make the script executable: 
    chmod +x Secure\ Client-linux64-*.sh
  5. Run the installer: 
    sudo ./Secure\ Client-linux64-*.sh
  6. Launch Cisco Secure Client from your applications menu.
  7. Enter connect.tamu.edu and click Connect.
  8. Authenticate with your NetID and Duo.

iPhone​

  1. Install Cisco Secure Client VPN from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and tap Connections.
  3. Add a new VPN connection:
    • Description: TAMU
    • Server Address: connect.tamu.edu
  4. Tap Advanced → Certificate → Select Disabled.
  5. Save the configuration and allow VPN permissions when prompted.
  6. Toggle Cisco Secure Client VPN to ON.
  7. Enter your NetID credentials and accept the Duo push.

iPad​

  1. Install Cisco Secure Client VPN from the App Store.
  2. Tap Add VPN Connection.
  3. Enter:
    • Description: TAMU
    • Server Address: connect.tamu.edu
  4. Go to Advanced → Set Certificate to Disabled.
  5. Save and allow VPN configuration.
  6. Toggle the VPN on, enter credentials, and authenticate with Duo.

Android​

  1. Install Cisco Secure Client from Google Play.
  2. Open the app and tap Connections → Add New VPN Connection.
  3. Enter:
    • Description: TAMU
    • Server Address: connect.tamu.edu
  4. Tap Done to save.
  5. Toggle the connection on and enter your NetID credentials.
  6. Accept the Duo push to connect.

LAN Access While Connected​

To access local network resources (like printers) while connected to VPN:

  1. Open Cisco Secure Client (while disconnected).
  2. Click the gear icon in the lower left corner.
  3. Select the Preferences tab.
  4. Check Allow Local (LAN) access when using VPN.
  5. Close settings and connect normally.

Troubleshooting​

If you're having trouble connecting:

  • Verify your NetID credentials at gateway.tamu.edu
  • Ensure Duo is properly configured
  • Try clearing browser cache before downloading the client
  • Contact Help Desk Central at (979) 845-8300

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