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IT Help and Support

University Information Services
 

Configuring the UIS VPN for iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 and later

 

Important information

There is currently a bug which means some users are seeing the error message 'No VPN shared secret was provided'. This prevents connections using the standard VPN profile. It mainly affects iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 but users on other iOS versions have reported the same issue. We've reported it to Apple and hope it will be fixed soon.

In the meantime, please use the following instructions to install a profile containing the user certificate and then add in the VPN server details manually.

Before you start: create a Network Access Token

  1. Visit the UIS Network Access Tokens site.
     
  2. Create a Network Access Token for using the VPN on your device, and keep the window/tab open in readiness for when you'll need to refer to the username and password.
     

1

Using your iPhone or iPad, collect your network access token from the UIS Tokens Service. Tap and hold on the token, and then select Copy.

 

2

Use Safari to download the VPN Client Certificate Profile (other browsers won't work). Select Allow to confirm the download, and tap Close when it's done.

1a. Download Profile   1b. Download Complete

 

3 

Open Settings on your device, then tap Profile Downloaded.

 

4

Tap Install. You may need to enter your passcode for your device. Tap Install again to confirm. 

 

5 

 You'll see confirmation that the profile has been installed. Click Done.

 

6 

Open Settings on your device, tap General and then VPN. Tap Add VPN Configuration. Use the following details:

Type: IPsec

Description: Cambridge VPN 

Server:  vpn.uis.cam.ac.uk

Account:  Enter the username for the Network Access Token you created for this device – for example, CRSid+device@cam.ac.uk

Password:  Manually type the Network Access Token created for this device earlier (don't copy and paste because this can lead to spaces being added)

Use Certificate: Tap to enable the slider

Certificate: Tap and then select Cambridge VPN client certificate

Tap < Cambridge VPN or whatever you described it as earlier, to return to the initial configuration page

Tap Done

 

7

To connect to the VPN, return to the main settings page and slide the VPN slider to the right.

The VPN will connect, and display a VPN icon in the status bar at the top of the screen.

9. Switching VPN on in Settings

 

8

To disconnect, tap Settings and slide the VPN slider to the left.