The machine tunnel XML configuration file used by Cisco Secure Access (Secure Client Remote Access VPN) disappears unexpectedly causing machine tunnel to unable to connect.
Cisco Secure Access - Secure Client Remote Access (VPN, Posture, Private Resource)
Deployment template: A deployment package on XDR
Cloud Management and Zero Trust Access (ZTA) components present
Client machine managed by the XDR deployment package
Machine tunnel configured and operational
The issue was resolved by embedding the machine tunnel XML configuration directly within the deployment package to protect it from deletion by Cloud Management enforcement policies.
The machine tunnel XML configuration was embedded directly within the JAY-TEST deployment package. This approach protects the XML file from deletion by Cloud Management enforcement policies.
These are the deployment package modification steps:
1- Identity the deployment package assigned to the machine.
2- Edit the deployment package.
3- Create or upload a VPN Management Tunnel profile.
4- Upload the Machine Tunnel VPN XML file.
5- Assign the Machine Tunnel Profile.
6- Save the configuration.
7- Deploy the package to the client machines.
After implementing the embedded XML approach, testing confirmed that the machine tunnel XML no longer disappeared after closing and reopening the VPN authentication window. The configuration remained persistent and stable.
Post-implementation testing validated that normal operation was restored, with the machine tunnel maintaining both connectivity and configuration persistence regardless of authentication window manipulation.
The root cause was identified as a conflict between the Cloud Management configuration enforcement policies and the machine tunnel XML file storage mechanism. During the periodic XDR package updates then machine tunnel XML file was getting deleted as it was not assigned to the deployment package
| Revision | Publish Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|
1.0 |
07-May-2026
|
Initial Release |