UC Davis Health
Remote Access

Download and install VPN | Remote Access | UC Davis Health

VPN Resources

Download and Install VPN

Remote Access VPN

UC Davis Health offers remote access VPN services to authorized employees and non-employees, enabling them to securely connect to the UC Davis Health network from remote locations. These VPNs are intended exclusively for conducting UC Davis Health related activities and should be accessed using the Cisco Secure Client (formerly known as AnyConnect).

  • To install the Cisco Secure Client initially, administrative rights are necessary. If you lack administrative rights, please contact UC Davis Health Technology Operations Center (TOC) at (916) 734-4357.
  • You can download and install the Cisco Secure Client whether you are inside or outside the UC Davis Health network. However, to establish a connection, you must be located outside the UC Davis Health network or utilize the Guest Wireless network.

Duo authentication

NOTE: Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is required to authenticate and connect to VPN sessions. Duo is a secure mobile authentication app for quick, push notification-based approval to verify your user's identity with a smartphone or other device.

Learn more about Duo

Download Cisco Secure Client

Supported Windows Versions

  • Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Microsoft-supported versions of Windows 11 and 10 for ARM64-based PCs
  • Windows 10 x86(32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)

Windows Installation – Cisco Secure Client (formerly known as AnyConnect)

  1. Download and install Cisco Secure Client with the above link (Active Directory/HS credentials are required outside UC Davis Health network).
  2. Open Cisco Secure Client.
  3. Enter the URL “connect.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu” and click connect.
  4. Use your HS/Citrix credentials to log into Cisco Secure Client.
  5. Approve the Duo push notification on your smartphone.
  6. Accept the banner to continue.
  7. Once you are connected, you will see the icon located in the system tray represented by the Cisco Secure Client symbol with a gold lock.

Windows – Start Before Logon (SBL) VPN

When SBL is enabled, the Cisco Secure Client VPN GUI login dialog is presented to customers prior to the appearance of the Windows login dialog box. This ensures the VPN connection is established first. SBL facilitates the execution of Health System Windows scripts, enabling the automatic mapping of network drives, including shared and home drives. Please note that this feature is exclusively available for Windows operating systems.

Web-based – SBL Installation (requires Java)

Manual – SBL installation

  1. Install Cisco Secure Client and Start Before Logon modules. 
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
  4. Windows 10 – Click on the icon (Network sign-in) on the bottom right of the screen.
  5. In "Cisco Secure Client" type connect.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/sbl and click Connect.
  6. Use your HS/Citrix credentials to log into AnyConnect.
  7. Approve the Duo push notification on your smartphone.
  8. Accept the banner to continue.
  9. Use your HS/Citrix credentials to log into Windows.

Supported MacOS Versions

  • macOS 14 Sonoma
  • macOS 13 Ventura
  • macOS 12 Monterey
  • macOS 11.x Big Sur

Detailed Macintosh Installations (PDF)

MacOS Installation - Cisco Secure Client (formerly known as AnyConnect)

  1. Click Download – Macintosh Cisco Secure Client 
  2. Click Continue.
  3. Click Continue and then click on Agree to continue the installation.
  4. Uncheck everything except VPN and click continue.
  5. Start the AnyConnect VPN from Launchpad.
  6. Enter the URL “connect.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu”.
  7. Use your HS/Citrix credentials to log into AnyConnect.
  8. Approve the Duo push notification on your smartphone.
  9. Accept the banner to continue.
  10. When connected, you will see the AnyConnect icon with a gold lock in the status bar.

iPhone and iPad Installation - Cisco Secure Client (formerly known as AnyConnect)

  1. Download "Cisco Secure Client" client from the App Store.
  2. Open "Cisco Secure Client".
  3. Click Add VPN Connection.
  4. Description = UC Davis Health VPN (or any other name you wish to give).
  5. Server Address = connect.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
  6. Click Save.
  7. Slide Anyconnect VPN button to ON.
  8. Enter the UC Davis Health Active Directory/HS/Citrix username and password.
  9. Approve the Duo push notification on your smart phone.
  10. Accept the banner.