Do you hate having to manually enter the password in order to connect to a Cisco VPN? Well, I do. And I have found that instead of relying on the Cisco AnyConnect Security Mobility Client GUI application, one can use the command-line counterpart to automate VPN login.
Provided that you can log into your VPN using the graphical client, you can automate VPN login by using the following shell script:
cat > start_vpn.sh #!/bin/bash /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn -s << EOF connect https://your.cisco.vpn.hostname/vpn_name here_goes_your_username here_goes_your_passwordy EOF ^D # chmod +x start_vpn.sh
To connect:
# ./start_vpn.sh Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (version 3.1.05152) . Copyright (c) 2004 - 2013 Cisco Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. >> state: Disconnected >> state: Disconnected >> notice: Ready to connect. >> registered with local VPN subsystem. >> contacting host (https://your.cisco.vpn.hostname/vpn_name) for login information... >> notice: Contacting https://your.cisco.vpn.hostname/vpn_name. >> notice: Please respond to banner. Welcome to VPN. >> state: Connecting >> notice: Establishing VPN session... >> notice: Checking for profile updates... >> notice: Checking for product updates... >> notice: Checking for customization updates... >> notice: Performing any required updates... >> state: Connecting >> notice: Establishing VPN session... >> notice: Establishing VPN - Initiating connection... >> notice: Establishing VPN - Examining system... >> notice: Establishing VPN - Activating VPN adapter... >> notice: Establishing VPN - Configuring system... >> notice: Establishing VPN... >> state: Connected VPN> goodbye... >> note: VPN Connection is still active.
To disconnect:
# /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn/disconnect
felipe-alfaro.com 
This isn’t working for me and I’ve been looking everywhere.. The -s option doesn’t seem to exist? When I execute the script it starts but then exits without reason. I can connect the normal way. Any help would be much appreciated.
Typo in the disconnect command. It should be
# /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn disconnect
MAC:~/Desktop $ cat vpn.sh
#!/bin/sh
printf “USERNAME\nPASSWORD\ny” | /opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn -s connect HOST
read -p “Press enter to disconnect”
/opt/cisco/anyconnect/bin/vpn -s disconnect
MAC:~/Desktop $
Hello Felipe,
I managed to connect, and there was feedback text indicating it work. But when I used the disconnect command, I didn’t get any feedback, how can I know what is the vpn connectivity status?
Thanks