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Joe Harris, CCIE No. 6200 (R&S, Security & SP) is a Systems Engineer with Cisco Systems® specializing in Security. In addition to authoring Cisco Network Security Little Black Book, Joe has also been a technical reviewer for several Cisco Press publications and written articles, white papers, and presentations on various security technologies. He also assists various Certification Partners by beta testing their newest CCIE certification workbooks and has been recognized by Cisco as an SE Wall of Fame award winner.

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Apple’s iPhone 2.0 to Integrate Cisco VPN Client

March 14th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

After many months of collaboration between Cisco and Apple, it appears that we both have finally figured out to integrate the Cisco IPSec VPN client into the new Apple iPhone via Apple’s new SDK. The iPhone 2.0 software with integrated Cisco VPN Client software should be available around the June timeframe according to Apple. The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod touch. Starting last week, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac. Apple also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.  

The iPhone 2.0 software supports the Cisco IPsec VPN client to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.  

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.  

Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June.

You can find furthers regarding the iPhone 2.0 and Cisco Collaboration at the following links:

Apple’s Statement
Washington Post Writeup

There Are 2 Responses So Far. »

  1. Gravatar

    Comment by Mike Sros UNITED STATES Windows XP Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1 on 6 August 2008:

    The Cisco VPN client feature does not work for a majority of setups on the iPhone v2.0.1. It is terrible. None of the Cisco routers (IOS) are supported. Only newer versions of the PIX/ASA software (on certain models nonetheless) are supported. And a limited set of other devices/versions as well. This feature is not ready!

  2. Gravatar

    Comment by Joe Harris UNITED STATES Windows XP Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1 on 6 August 2008:

    Mike I’m not sure what your config’s look like but I’ve yet to have a single incident when configuration of the ASA is correct…You are correct about the support on the router side but that’s not say that it doesn’t work ;-) … see this post http://6200networks.com/2008/08/05/iphone-to-isr/