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VPN: Error mentions "specified secure gateway" or "interprocess communication depot" (PC or Mac)

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2.0 - Updated on 03-13-2024 by Mike Caban

1.0 - Authored on 10-19-2015 by Mike Caban

Windows Users (macOS users, please scroll to the bottom)

There are a couple of reasons why a Windows user will get the error "Cisco Secure Client was not able to establish a connection to the specified secure gateway" or "The VPN client agent was unable to create the interprocess communication depot" while trying to connect using the Software VPN:

Here's how to fix both problems.

More than 1 user is logged on to the computer at one time

Advise the user to restart the computer. This will logoff any other users who may be logged on. If the problem persists, read on.

Check to see if ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) is running

  1. Select the Start button and then select the Control Panel
  2. Under the Network and Internet category, select the Network and Sharing Center
  3. In the left-hand panel select Change Adapter Settings
  4. Right-click the network connection being shared (try the wired/Ethernet adapter connection first and then check the other adapters) and select Properties
  5. Select the Sharing tab. 
  6. Uncheck the box to Allow other network users to connect through this computer's connection
  7. Select OK

Additionally, check that the ICS service is not running.

  1. Select the Start button and then select Run.
  2. Type: services.msc and press ENTER on your keyboard. 
  3. Find Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and then stop the service. 
  4. Change the Startup Type to Disabled and then reboot the computer. 

macOS users

Unfortunately, the current Cisco Secure Client will only run on macOS versions newer than 12 (Monterrey). Please update your operating system. Faculty and staff should partner with their local CSC, and students should reach out to AntTech for assistance. The OITHD cannot assist with OS upgrades, and we cannot implement any changes to the network to get your computer to connect to the VPN. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Versions older than macOS 12 are no longer supported by Apple, so our recommendation is that you upgrade. Your system could be vulnerable to attacks that are fixed in newer releases, and your system could be compromised and used to attack other systems (and possibly used to attack UCI when you are using the VPN).

In addition, there are bug fixes and security updates to the VPN client that necessitate it being updated to fix problems other users are having and to prevent security issues with older clients.