How to auto connect to VPN upon login/boot?

So far, I've been using the build-in VPN tool of Lion.

I would like to auto connect my VPN whenever I'm connected to the internet.

Is it possible to auto connect my VPN whenever I'm connected to the internet with the build in tool?

If auto connect is not possible with the build in tool, can you provide me with an alternative that is free?

Solution 1:

Apple Script provides a good solution:

on idle
    tell application "System Events"
        tell current location of network preferences
            set myConnection to the service "VPN University"
            if myConnection is not null then
                if current configuration of myConnection is not connected then
                    connect myConnection
                end if
            end if
        end tell
        return 120
    end tell
end idle

Solution 2:

Another way to go about this, is by creating a Configuration Profile (using Apple Configurator). Using this tool, recreate your VPN configuration and save the file. After you've created the file, open it up in a text editor and look for the following:

<key>VPNType</key>
<value>(...)</key>

Add the following below:

<key>OnDemandEnabled</key>
<integer>1</integer>
<key>OnDemandRules</key>
<array>
    <dict>
        <key>Action</key>
        <string>Connect</string>
        <key>InterfaceTypeMatch</key>
        <string>WiFi</string>
    </dict>
    <dict>
        <key>Action</key>
        <string>Connect</string>
        <key>InterfaceTypeMatch</key>
        <string>Cellular</string>
    </dict>
</array>

Now after you've installed this profile, a checkbox "Connect on demand" should be shown in the "Network" system preferences. Now macOS will keep your connection alive. Bonus feature: you can also add specific rules about when the VPN should connect or disconnect, depending on which Wifi network you're connected.

See Configuration Profile Reference on Apple's Developer Site for all on-demand rules. And see also the strongSwan wiki where some examples are shown.