64-bit Windows 7, Cisco VPN client and XP mode – Part 2
May 28th, 2009 | by Vladimir Stajic |After the business apps such as Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes were up and running, I got to the part that I knew from the start would be tricky: the Cisco VPN client.
For various reasons, Cisco doesn’t develop versions of the Cisco VPN client for 64-bit versions of Windows. Since the Cisco VPN client works through a virtual LAN adapter that it installs, and all the drivers in 64-bit Windows operating systems need to be properly certified, that pretty much means that you cannot install the Cisco VPN client on a 64-bit Windows system, even if you would be happy to run an “unsupported” setup. So now what?
The solution comes by way of something that Microsoft calls “XP Mode” — a combination of an advanced version of Microsoft Virtual PC and a preconfigured image of 32-bit Windows XP with Service Pack 3. XP Mode is not installed in Windows 7 by default; you need to get it from Microsoft’s website. But it’s free with certain versions of Windows 7, and you don’t need to pay an additional license for the XP image, which is certainly a nice bonus. The only caveat is that you need a relatively new PC that has support for hardware virtualization in the BIOS. In practice, that means an Intel Core 2 processor or newer. Centrino probably won’t be good enough.
If your PC has hardware virtualization support, and you’ve downloaded and installed all the necessary goodies from the Microsoft website, the fun begins!
10 Responses to “64-bit Windows 7, Cisco VPN client and XP mode – Part 2”
By midiman on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
I just tried this free IPsec VPN client, it works well in vista x64 and win 7 RC x64. I was also able to import a cisco .pcf directly into shrew. Just select the pcf file and import.
http://www.shrew.net/software
Shrew has supports for windows, linux and BSD
There is no need to buy NCP VPN client or TheGreenBow VPN client.
By vpn haus on Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Switching to the XP mode is a lot of work (as you seem to have discovered!). The Shrew client seems to work as a one-off, although if you have a handful of PC’s or need central policy control / management / NAC ‘patdowns’ you’ll need something more. I noticed ‘midiman’ mentioned NCP and they’re the one I am familiar with. Here’s a rundown for you:
http://vpnhaus.wordpress.com/
By jgoemat on Aug 18, 2009 | Reply
Shew wouldn’t work for me, we use RSA two factor authentication and I tried everything.
By vpn haus on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
RE: jgoemat, gotcha on the 2 factor. Are you using the standard password-based personal or adding token / biometric-based authentication as the second factor?
I asked NCP for a list of compatible options which I’ll post to my blog when I get it (probably early next week).
http://vpnhaus.wordpress.com/
By vpn haus on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
RE: jgoemat – heard back from NCP and they support the RSA SecurID 2F system. More on my blog in case you still need a client:
http://vpnhaus.wordpress.com/two-factor-authentication/
By raa44634 on Oct 23, 2009 | Reply
This is great info! BUT, installing today after the retail release yesterday the Shrew client continuously creates blue screens on installation of the service. The error is 0×0000007c. Anyone else attempt thus far? Sugestions? Thx.
By joe jackson on Oct 30, 2009 | Reply
I just came across this blog and tried Shrew, it bluescreened on my Win7 64bit install.
By svefrump on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Try Cisco Anywhere VPN it works on almost any platform including Windows 7 64bit. It isn’t for free but it works.
By vpn haus on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
Joe,
Not sure if your looking for a SSL or IPsec client… if IPsec, Cisco won’t work– they are not supporting IPsec 64 bit.
Check out NCP Secure Entry Client for Windows 7, 64 bit: http://www.ncp-e.com/en/solutions/vpn-products/secure-entry-client.html
Hope this help!
By barokeze on Feb 19, 2010 | Reply
Try with :
http://shrew.net/download
it is working with everything and it is absolutely free