Cisco VPN incompatible with Apple's Tiger

Corporate customers that use Cisco Systems virtual private network technology to connect to their company's network while on the road will have to a wait to use Apple Computer's new operating system.

Cisco confirmed Thursday that the new operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4, aka Tiger, won't come with support for Cisco's VPN client. The networking company has been working with Apple to provide VPN support for Tiger but was unable to get things completed by Tiger's April 29 release date, said Mojgan Khalili, a Cisco spokeswoman.

Cisco is advising users of its VPN client to delay upgrading to the new operating system until support is ready. Support should be available sometime in May, she added.

Apple's Tiger, which supposedly contains more than 200 new features, has been one of the most anticipated software events of this year. Typically, new operating systems from Apple don't generate this much buzz, since the company comes out with one just about every year.

But new features such as Spotlight, a desktop-search technology, and Dashboard, a new way to access information, have got people talking as the release date nears. Spotlight is considered the most important of the new features, because it promises to let users search their hard drive for files just as they would search for a Web page using Google.

The conflict with Cisco's VPN client is a big problem for Apple's corporate customers who rely on VPN technology to work remotely. VPN technology is used to create tunnels, which encrypt traffic, so workers can securely access files on their corporate networks. Cisco is one of the leading vendors in this market, so the incompatibility issues could delay upgrades for a large number of corporate Mac users.

Apple declined to comment for this story.

[pcpimpster]

So What

Spotlight = Google Desktop

Macs are for yuppies and Hollywood movie props.
Lets see a G(?) with an SLI config.

MS should have finished Apple off when they had the chance.

[lilrazztx]

Ok...

Microsoft is putting a search feature in their OS what do you
have to say about that?

Microsoft and Cliff Dacyberpeasant

Yet another moronic comment from a cyber-peasant who worships at the Alter of Gates. Grow up. There is more to the computer world than just the stuff that Redmond wants you to buy to further line their already overstuffed wallets. And if you don't like Macs, try Linux. It might re-engage some of those brain cells.

Microsoft's R&D

Along with several other uninformed comments, Cliff Dabutcher
writes:

> MS should have finished Apple off when they had the chance.

Then who would they steal their innovations from?

[open-mind]

Go Cliffy!

Cliff is right. Microsoft is so successful because of XP and their other superior products. Oh wait, the US Department of Justice doesn't agree. That's right. They declared Microsoft a monopoly that repeatedly broke anti-trust laws as needed to gain market share and be successful. On second thought, maybe Cliff is delusional and has no experience with anything but Windows. I wouldn't listen to him.

[pencoyd]

Is problem with VPN at client or server end?

I use Mac OS X 10.3.8 with the built-in VPN client to connect to
my corporate network without any problems. I believe we have
Cisco gear, though I'll have to check.

Is this problem only for people who use software from Cisco on
the client, or is it for the the OS X built-in VPN software? If it's
the former, I don't care. If it's the latter, I'll have to wait.

Article doesn't quite make it clear enough, although it wouldn't
be as much of a story if it's just the Cisco client software.

Not sure

I use the VPN because I never managed to figure how the default VPN in Os X works. I suspect that it depends on how the cisco routers are set up as to whether the apple VPN works or not.

[mortis9]

who gives a damn?

i'd be willing to bet that of apple's 2% of the market, less than 2% of that 2% (1/2500th of the market) use OSX to connect through a corporate VPN. I dunno... are most 'creative professionals' in need of such a service?

I care and so do most students

Most universities use Cisco VPN connections to enable students to access courses and information. I need it for work. It may seem esoteric to you but Cisci VPN is a key application for many Mac users.

[wildweaselmi]

Oh dang!

Well I guess I'll be one of the many people staring at my black
OS X Tiger software box. Or do I install it and just get fired for
not working, Or do I install it take a three weeks vacation so I
can play with Tiger and give Cisco time to fix there issue... that
sounds good.

[open-mind]

I would, but...

... the company I work for only licenses the CISCO client for Windows. If they provided a Mac client, I would probably use it. I could always boot back into 10.3 if I needed to use the CISCO client ... not a big deal. OS X is very flexible.