The CISCO Clientless SSL VPN creates a remote access VPN tunnel without requiring the installation of any hardware or software VPN client to provide access to a corporate network.
AnyConnect is another extremely popular VPN. It simplifies secure endpoint access which ensures the safety and protection of an organization’s corporate network.
Cisco Clientless Ssl Vpn vs AnyConnect
The difference between CISCO Clientless SSL VPN and AnyConnect is that CISCO Clientless SSL VPN provides only limited access to a corporate network’s internal resources, but that limited access is also valuable. whereas AnyConnect provides the user with full network access (or connectivity) of the required corporate network.
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CISCO Clientless SSL VPN requires only a web browser and IP Address of the ASA to establish a secure connection between the user’s device and the corresponding corporate network.
Even though the product does not offer full network connectivity, it provides very strong, limited, and valuable access to any organization’s corporate network.
AnyConnect also requires a web browser and an IP Address of the ASA to enable the user to access the required corporate network.
However, the connection is completely established upon the completion of its VPN Client download. AnyConnect provides complete network connectivity to any remote user.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco Clientless Ssl Vpn | AnyConnect |
|---|---|---|
| Full Network Connectivity | CISCO Clientless SSL VPN does not provide full network connectivity to users. | AnyConnect provides users with full network connectivity. |
| Required Prerequisites | CISCO Clientless SSL VPN only requires a web browser and IP Address of ASA. | AnyConnect requires a web browser, IP Address of ASA, and installation of AnyConnect VPN Client. |
| Accessible Services | Users can access all internal websites of a particular corporate network when using CISCO Clientless SSL VPN. | AnyConnect extends the corporate network’s perimeter to remote endpoints and also enables continuous integration of web filtering services. |
| Installation of VPN Client | Works without installation of VPN Client. | Requires download of VPN Client. |
| Accessibility on Android and IOS | CISCO Clientless VPN does not work on any Apple iOS or Android device. | AnyConnect is supported on iOS as well as Android devices. |
What is Cisco Clientless Ssl Vpn?
The CISCO Clientless SSL VPN assures safe and easy access to a diverse set of web resources. Here do keep in mind that SSL refers to ‘Secure Sockets Layer’, while VPN on the other hand is abbreviated for ‘Virtual Private Network’.
To name some – Internal websites (all HTTP and HTTPS), Windows file shares, Web applications, Email servers including IMAP, POP3, Microsoft Outlook Web Access.
It ensures that all users can safely access their corporate network from any remote location. As it’s a highlighting characteristic of the product, it provides limited but valuable access to a corporate network and proves to be a great asset.
Its main function is to aid the user to achieve secure browser-based access to corporate resources.
Any system that can reach HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Internet) sites can help the user access both web-enabled and legacy applications.
Thus, it needs a Hypertext Transfer Protocol format over an SSL connection to provide access to the user. There is no need for a VPN client to be installed on the computer of the user.
Thus, no additional client is needed to provide separate access to internal resources.
What is AnyConnect?
AnyConnect is a tool that extends the corporate network’s perimeter to remote endpoints and enables continuous integration of web filtering services. These web filtering services are offered by web security appliances.
Anyconnect provides VPN access through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) while also offering extremely strong security using its various built-in modules.
For AnyConnect VPN’s installation, we require the usage of a Clientless VPN.
ASA firewall works as an AnyConnect WebVPN Server that assigns a pre-programmed IP Address to remote users which then enables them to establish a secure connection with their organization’s corporate network.
This means that remote user has the privilege to access the AnyConnect to Join the ASA and after joining they will get a unique IP Address from this VPN database. This means that they would be getting full access to the respective network.
The entire mechanism uses IP Protocols and Applications which then function across the SSL VPN Tunnel. It is a complete error-free process.
In short, Anyconnect is an extremely secure and reliable tool that allows remote access to a designated set of resources to its users. It is highly Intelligent, dependable, and comes with an integrated always-on connectivity feature.
In addition, it also has a wide set of compatible devices, from pc to even android and ios.
Main Differences Between Cisco Clientless Ssl Vpn and Anyconnect
- CISCO Clientless SSL VPN does not provide full network access whereas AnyConnect offers full network access.
- CISCO SSL Clientless VPN won’t require the installation of any VPN client on the user’s system. It uses commonly used web browsers (like Chrome and Firefox) for the same. Alternatively, AnyConnect requires download of a VPN Client to build a guarded network between the two parties.
- CISCO SSL Clientless VPN is a secure portal to access internal resources of any corporate network. Users can simply authenticate the firewall by entering the ASA Address and unlocking access to the corresponding web portal.
- CISCO SSL Clientless VPN provides its users limited access to internal applications like windows file shares, email servers, etc whereas Any connect does not.
- The SSL VPN is referring to a separate portal that allows users to access a company’s internal resources through web-based java plugins, While AnyConnect VPN itself is an entire SSL VPN client.
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
