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Cisco Releases BETA IPSec VPN Client for Windows 7

30th September 2009 By 17 Comments

Recently Ranted

On a recent rant about being charged for Cisco VPN Client licenses I pointed out that the Cisco IPSec VPN client was end of life.

In the comments, someone from Cisco has posted the following:

But on a more important note, not all is lost for the IPSec client, we have posted a BETA Cisco VPN Client IPSec for Windows 7, Version 5.0.06.0100 can now be gotten from cisco.com.

If you have any problems, email cvc-beta(at)cisco(dot)com and let us know.

If you head over to the cisco.com Security Downloads you can see the following:

Cisco Security Software Download for VPN.(Click for fullsize image)

Feedback wanted

And Cisco wants your feedback at the email cvc-beta(at)cisco(dot)com. I’m not able to do any testing right now since I don’t have Windows 7 (and not likely to have anytime soon), so send Cisco the facts, and post your opinions here. That would be would be very welcome to keep me and everyone else up to date.

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About Greg Ferro

Greg Ferro is a Network Engineer/Architect, mostly focussed on Data Centre, Security Infrastructure, and recently Virtualization. He has over 20 years in IT, in wide range of employers working as a freelance consultant including Finance, Service Providers and Online Companies. He is CCIE#6920 and has a few ideas about the world, but not enough to really count.

He is a host on the Packet Pushers Podcast, blogger at EtherealMind.com and on Twitter @etherealmind and Google Plus

  • Santino Rizzo

    From what I can see, still no x64 support.

    • http://etherealmind.com Greg Ferro

      To be fair, I don’t think Microsoft is very serious about 64-bit support. They don’t promote it and a lot of their software doesn’t run well from what I hear.

      Interesting point though. Will Cisco develop a 64-bit IPsec client ? My guess is no.

  • andrew

    I have been using the same client I did on vista for some time now.

    • Almir

      I don’t have any problem using Cisco VPN client Ver. 5.0.04.0300 on Windows 7.

      • Tim

        Likewise, I’ve been using Ver 5.0.05.0290 on Windows 7 (32-bit) without any problems. In fact it seems to perform a lot better than the same version on Vista (32-bit).

        However I will try the new beta version.

  • thinguy

    64-bit is definitely the future and with Win7 MS is taking it much more serious. With 32 and 64bit on on DVD people don’t have to make the choice and be stuck with it.
    I did a check on Best Buy’s site the other day. 52 Windows laptops only 10 were 32bit. I picked up an entry level $500 laptop for my mom and it was even 64-bit.

    • Tim

      I also agree with “thinguy” about Microsoft’s stance on 64-bit.

      Server 2008 R2 is 64-bit only as is Exchange 2007 and 2010 and I expect this trend to continue with other server applications.

      In the client operating systems and software I’ve seen more and more support for 64-bit. A good example is the 64-bit device driver support for Media Center in WIndows 7 for things such as TV tuner cards etc.
      Whereas I gave up on XP 64-bit, both Vista and Windows 7 64-bit have been quite painless, especially Windows 7, to the point that most of the time I don’t even think about 32/64 bit.

      However I do wish Cisco would provide greater support for 64-bit and not just for the VPN client. Cisco Configuration Professional is another product that is not at all 64-bit friendly.

  • Rob Routt

    I believe Cisco has done some extreme cost-cutting on the SSL vpn solution called AnyConnect essentials in lieu of 64-bit IPSec client. The essectials will cost $250 list for a 5520 and give you the full compliment of 750 concurrent ssl users. You do lose the funtionality of web-based ssl vpn and some other features, but all in all; a great replacement for IPSec client IMO and not near as intrusive to the OS.

  • Missing Digits

    Anyone have the beta archived somewhere? It is not available for download now. Figures.

  • Missing Digits

    Crap, I need a 64 bit client. I didn’t even notice that this wasn’t regarding 64 bit client. Sucks, I guess any connect essentials is the only way. WTF, thanks Cisco.

  • Alex

    MESSAGE TO CISCO: If you VPN doesn’t support 64 bit OS’s then we’ll eventually find on that does. Listen to your pissed off customers. Start developing a 64 bit VPN Client.

  • Paul

    Umm, use shrew.net like everyone else – not everything that works has to have a Cisco logo….

    • Jason Gurtz

      We tried Shrew.net recently on a Win7-x64 el’Cheapo laptop some user picked up at best buy.

      We gave up after the bluescreens started.

      Not saying Shrew.net won’t work for some, but really, we need a supported solution here. Unfortunately, we’re stuck recommending Virtual PC and an XP x86 image to our users.

  • Debello

    As of yesterday I was able to download a new beta version of the ipsec client (version 5.0.07.0240) that is x64 compatible from cisco.com. I have the beta running on Windows 7 pro x64 without issues so far.

    • Moath

      How did you do that Debello?

      I can’t download it from cisco.com.

      • Debello

        Do you have a cisco.com account and smartnet contract? From what I see you must have an account and smartnet in order to download the client from cisco.com.

    • Kilas

      I’ve been using 5.0.07.0240 flawlessly … superb in Win7 x64