Can I run a x86-only VPN client on my 64 bit system by virtualization?

[Adam8281]

I want to VPN to my university, but the Cisco VPN client the university uses only installs/runs on x86 (32 bit) systems. My computer is running Vista Home Premium x64. Is it possible to run an x86 virtualization on my x64 system that would allow me to VPN? I don't have any experience with virtualization, so perhaps this is a dumb question. What's a good, free virtualization program to use for this?

 

[randomlinh]

yes, just install a 32bit OS in your virtual environment. I have to do the same.

Free, virtualbox. That's about it... heh. It's actually pretty good for what it is. I used it over Parallels on my mac w/o a problem (just testing it out to see how it'd fair for a month). I don't have much of an option now that I'm back to vista, but it works well enough.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Don't forget Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. Works really well and I'd use that over VirtualPC in a Windows environment unless I'm install *nix based stuff.

 

[Adam8281]

Unfortunately it looks like Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 doesn't run on Vista Home Premium

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Pretty sure that it does, it's just not officially supported.

 

[VinylxScratches]

It's not officially supported but will install.

 

[pac1085]

Another option would be to use the NCP VPN client which is compatible with Cisco VPN's (can even use your existing config file) and supports x64...

http://www.ncp-e.com/en.html

 

[Adam8281]

I tried NCP VPN but I kept getting "PKI Error". I imported the "profile" provided by my university, and the certificate, but I still got the message.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Adam8281
I tried NCP VPN but I kept getting "PKI Error". I imported the "profile" provided by my university, and the certificate, but I still got the message.

Contact their support, they are pretty quick (its what I use instead of Cisco as well)

 

[Dahak]

ive had that issue with a different vpn clinet and what i ussually had to do to fix it is delete the profile, quit the vpn client, re-open the client re-import the profile, quit the client again and then re-open it and it connects fine

 

[Adam8281]

thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that