Ashlar-Vellum IKEv2 VPN Setup Guide

Connecting on Windows 10 / 11 (Recommended Method)

For Windows users, we provide an installer package that will configure the VPN connection and necessary network routing automatically. **This is the easiest and strongly recommended method for Windows.**

1. Download the Installer: Click the download link above to save the `AV-VPN25.exe` installer to your computer.
2. Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded `AV-VPN25.exe` file and double-click it to run.
3. Windows SmartScreen / Security Warnings:
   • If Windows SmartScreen appears saying "Windows protected your PC", click "More info", then verify the Publisher is "Vellum Investment Partners, LLC", and click "Run anyway".
   • If any User Account Control (UAC) prompts appear asking for permission to make changes, click "Yes". (This installer needs to configure network settings.)
4. Installation Scope: You will be asked "Make this connection available for:".
   • "All users": Select this option if you are an administrator and want to make this VPN connection available to all users on this computer. You will need administrator rights to complete this selection. Click OK.
   • "My use only" (Default & Recommended for most users): Select this if you are the only person who will use this VPN on this computer. Click OK.
   
5. Connect to the VPN:
   • Once installed, the VPN connection dialog may appear automatically, or you can find it in your Windows VPN settings list (usually named "Ashlar-Vellum IKEv2 Split Tunnel VPN 2025"). The icon for the connection may also appear in your system tray or network connections flyout.
   • The connection dialog will display the Ashlar-Vellum branded graphic.
   • User name: Enter av-client
   • Password: Enter the password provided by Ashlar-Vellum Support.
   • Logon domain: Leave this field BLANK.
   • Check "Save password" if you want Windows to remember your password for future connections.
   • It's recommended to leave "Connect automatically" UNCHECKED. Only connect when needed for licensing.
   • Click **Connect**.
   

The installer configures all necessary settings, including network routing for Ashlar-Vellum services. Once connected, your Ashlar-Vellum software should function correctly. If you encounter issues, please contact support.

Note: This VPN installer has been tested on 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are using a 32-bit version of Windows and encounter issues, please contact support.

Connecting on macOS (Catalina through Sequoia) (IKEv2)

The process for setting up an IKEv2 VPN is similar across recent macOS versions, but the user interface for System Preferences (older) versus System Settings (newer) and enabling the menu bar icon differs. For macOS, please use the manual setup instructions below using the VPN Connection Details provided further down this page.

1. Open Network Settings:
   • macOS Monterey and earlier (Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey): Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
   • macOS Ventura and later (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia): Apple menu > System Settings > VPN (in the sidebar).
2. Add VPN Configuration:
   • macOS Monterey and earlier: Click the "+" button in the Network preferences, select "VPN" for Interface, "IKEv2" for VPN Type, and give it a Service Name (e.g., Ashlar-Vellum IKEv2). Click Create.
   • macOS Ventura and later: In System Settings > VPN, click "Add VPN Configuration" and choose IKEv2.
   
   
3. Configure Connection Details: (Use details from the "Manual VPN Setup Details" section below)
   • Display Name / Service Name: e.g., Ashlar-Vellum IKEv2 (This may already be set if using older macOS).
   • Server Address: verify-vpn-tunnel.ashlar.com
   • Remote ID: verify-vpn-tunnel.ashlar.com
   • Local ID: Leave blank.
4. Authentication Settings:
   Click "Authentication Settings..." (older macOS) or look for the Authentication section (newer macOS).
   • Authentication type: Select Username (or similar, like "EAP").
   • Username: av-client
   • Password: (Enter the password provided by Ashlar-Vellum Support. You might be prompted for this when connecting or can enter it here if a field is available).
   Click OK/Create/Save as appropriate for your macOS version.
   
5. Enable Menu Bar Icon (for easy connect/disconnect):
   macOS Monterey and earlier (Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey):

   In the Network preferences window, with your new VPN connection selected, check the box labeled "Show VPN status in menu bar". Click Apply.

   
   macOS Ventura and later (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia):

   Open System Settings > Control Center. Scroll down to "Other Modules" (or similar section) and find "VPN". From the dropdown next to VPN, choose "Show in Menu Bar". This will show the icon for any active VPN.

   
6. Connect:
   • Use the VPN icon in the menu bar (if enabled in the previous step).
   • Or, from the VPN settings page (System Settings or Network Preferences), select the VPN and click "Connect" or toggle the switch.