F5 Campus VPN - How to Perform a Master Reset on macOS to Resolve VPN Issues

If the F5 VPN, on macOS, does not connect or you can't connect to the "vpn.msu.edu" website using Safari, these steps may help.

Objective

Following these steps will perform a Master Reset on macOS, used to resolve most VPN issues

Environment

BIG-IP Edge Client
macOS

Before You Begin

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Steps

1. Uninstall any BIG-IP Edge Client, F5 Endpoint Inspector, and F5 VPN applications from the Applications folder.
   Preferably use an application like AppCleaner to uninstall applications as it will also remove any plist files associated with the application: freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/ (link)
2. After uninstalling, verify there are no F5 references left in the following locations, and if there are move them to the Trash:
   • /Library/Application Support/F5 Networks
   • /Library/F5Networks
   • Note: to get to the Library folder open Finder, hold the Control key and click on Go (top left by the Apple logo), and click Library.
3. Very the Hosts file does not have any obscure and incorrect references to either "vpn.msu.edu" or Pulse Secure (old VPN program):
   1. Open Finder and click on Go, and select Go to Folder...
   2. Enter the following path: /private/etc/hosts
   3. Double-click the hosts file to open it.
   4. Remove any references to "vpn.msu.edu" or Pulse Secure.
   5. Add an entry at the bottom as:
      • 35.9.250.37 vpn.msu.edu
        Screenshot

        

   6. Save a copy of this new hosts file to your desktop (or other location where you can find the file).
   7. Delete the current hosts file from the "/private/etc/hosts/" location, and then drag/move the new hosts file there instead.
4. Flush the DNS and restart the computer. See KB 1932 (link) for full instructions.
5. After restarting, open Safari and go to vpn.msu.edu to re-install and connect to the F5 VPN. To view the installation instructions see: KB 28 (link).

Additional Info

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