Windows RT and Cisco VPN connections

Anonymous
2012-11-06T22:16:12+00:00

I'm a little worried about Windows RT's (current) inability to connect to Cisco firewalls via VPN.The only thing I can find on this issue is finger pointing between Cisco and Microsoft. I understand Cisco needs to create an app, but can they with the current restraints? It should be a no brainer for Microsoft to do what they can to make this happen.

This is pretty much a make or break need for us. I really wanted to give Windows RT a chance but if this isn't cleared up, I have no compelling case to deploy Windows tablets.

Does anyone know if Microsoft will work with Cisco on this? Or do you think this is getting squashed for a reason? I don't see why because MS is allowing other VPN connections.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T12:32:49+00:00

    Got my Surface RT with touch keyboard for $299 last week, great deal.  Although am seriously seeing the limitations by not having VPN, but no way I would spend $1G for the same Pro setup.

    I work for a local govt who tends to lag behind the times by a couple years.  In either case, IT told me that Cisco AnyConnect is not supported yet in Windows 8, but I'm guessing that means they don't support it.

    This device seems great so far with the 8.1 RT upgrade.  I sure hope there is a VPN solution coming because then it would be damn near perfect, especially with Office/Outlook 2013. 

    The rollout of the new Surface 2 line will again be hampered by this lack of functionality.  Buehler? Buehler?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T14:37:37+00:00

    Got my Surface RT with touch keyboard for $299 last week, great deal.  Although am seriously seeing the limitations by not having VPN, but no way I would spend $1G for the same Pro setup.

    I work for a local govt who tends to lag behind the times by a couple years.  In either case, IT told me that Cisco AnyConnect is not supported yet in Windows 8, but I'm guessing that means they don't support it.

    This device seems great so far with the 8.1 RT upgrade.  I sure hope there is a VPN solution coming because then it would be damn near perfect, especially with Office/Outlook 2013. 

    The rollout of the new Surface 2 line will again be hampered by this lack of functionality.  Buehler? Buehler?

    It's Bueller.  Ferris Bueller...

    It will be hampered by Cisco VPN support, but Juniper, Check Point, F5, Microsoft and SoniWall are now built into the OS.  For Cisco VPN connections, you could work with your IT dept. to see if you can manually set up the VPN via server addresses and one of the protocals supported by RT.

    Allegedly, Cisco has been non-committal, but there are still signs Cisco VPN is coming to RT.  We'll see.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T19:16:01+00:00

    I'm not sure we should blame all of this on Cisco for not delivering a VPN product for RT.  Apple and Google both delivered IPSec groupname+password security on the iPad and Android respectively without seemingly much assistance from Cisco.  

    IMO, Microsoft is failing to see the importance of this relatively simple enhancement.  Cisco is understandably hesitant in investing time and resources to develop a client.

    It's been a year since Win RT came out.  This thread is nearly that old.  Patiently waiting...

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T19:55:29+00:00

    Have you tried with Windows 8.1 update, which is freely avaialbe for all Windows 8 customers?

    Has anyone got Surface 2 yet, which comes with 8.1 RT preinstalled and which they started rolling out today (http://blog.surface.com/b/surface/archive/2013/10/21/surface-2-and-surface-pro-2-are-now-available.aspx)? As per the TechNet documentation,I think the Cisco and Juniper connectivity issues must be resolved in GA version.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T20:18:40+00:00

    Real,

    I have Windows RT  8.1 and I don't see anything in the VPN connection properties indicating "full" support for IPSec groupname+password authentication, which is essentially what most companies using Cisco VPN seem to utilize.  I could be wrong and I even hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so. 

    This link is frequently referenced:

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj900206.aspx

    ...but the only IPSec authentication supported is still through a certificate or pre-shared key.

    Feel free to post a screenshot of the appropriate Win RT 8.1 dialog to prove me wrong.  Please prove me wrong.

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