Shimo for Mac

Product summary

Shimo is a flexible VPN client for macOS that handles a wide range of VPN protocols, including Cisco-compatible connections. It was first released in 2006 as an alternative to the unattractive and limited GUI bundled with Cisco’s VPN client. Although OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) later added native support for Cisco VPNs, that built-in option still lacks many configuration controls — which is where Shimo aims to offer greater flexibility.

Installing and allowing system access

Installation is straightforward. During setup Shimo may request your administrator password so it can install or update helper drivers needed to support extra VPN protocols and low-level networking features. Granting that access lets Shimo manage more connection types reliably.

Adding a new VPN profile

To create a new connection you can:

• Import a prebuilt profile or type the details manually if you already have the parameters.
• Select Profiles in the app and click the "+" button to add a new entry.
• Provide the required Cisco-specific fields such as the group name and its shared secret, the VPN server address, your username, and your account password.

There are many additional options and preferences available for advanced users, but most people can connect without changing anything beyond the basic profile fields.

Troubleshooting Cisco connections on Snow Leopard

Some users report issues when attempting to connect to Cisco VPNs while running OS X 10.6. A common symptom is the connection stalling at the “Securing” stage in Shimo’s status dialog. It’s not always clear whether this is caused by a misconfigured profile, an incompatibility with Snow Leopard, or an interaction with system-level VPN support. If you run into this, verify your credentials and group/shared-secret values first, then experiment with Shimo’s advanced settings or consult the vendor’s support resources.

Limitations of the free edition

The no-cost version of Shimo imposes session length limits and will occasionally display reminders encouraging you to upgrade to a paid release. These restrictions can interrupt long or frequent connections.

Final thoughts

Overall, Shimo presents a polished interface and a powerful set of features for managing multiple VPN types on a Mac. It gives far more control than the native client, but if you rely on Cisco VPNs under Snow Leopard you may need to do additional troubleshooting to achieve a stable connection.

Changelog

• Resolved an issue related to incorrect file permissions.