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Using IU's SSL VPN service

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Introduction

Indiana University's SSL VPN service offers web-based, cross-platform access to IU's virtual private network (VPN), which provides authentication and encryption when you use a home wireless network off campus. It also allows you to authenticate and act as part of the IU network when you're connected to an off-campus network, for example, when you're using a non-IU Internet service provider (ISP). When you use the IU VPN, you can access IP-restricted university resources and connect to network file servers. The VPN allows you to access library databases restricted to IU students, faculty, and staff, and also to access some of the software available on IUware.

SSL VPN is the replacement for IU's IPsec- and PPTP-based VPN services at IU Bloomington and IUPUI. UITS retired the PPTP servers at IUB and IUPUI in July 2009. While the IPsec VPN servers remain available, UITS recommends switching to SSL VPN.

Note: UITS is planning on retiring the L2TP over IPSec service by fall, 2010.

The VPN may also allow you access to resources provided by your department from off campus; if you have questions about departmental resources, check with your local support provider (LSP).

Connecting to the SSL VPN

  • Windows: Download the Setup Wizard from IUware to configure your computer for the SSL VPN.

  • Linux: Visit the VPN Installer page on IUware and download and install the package for your version.

  • Mac OS X: Download the Mac OS X SSL VPN Installer to install the Network Connect client and use SSL VPN. When you launch Network Connect for the first time, enter https://vpn.iu.edu/ in the "Sign in at:" field. (If you have disabled Java in your browser, you will not be able to access the SSL VPN via the web as described in the manual instructions below.)

    Note: In Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), Network Connect 6.4.0 requires additional configuration. After running the Mac OS X SSL VPN Installer:

    1. In the Finder, from the Go menu, choose Utilities.
    2. Double-click Terminal.
    3. Type the following commands, press Enter after each line, and enter your administrator password when prompted: sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/juniper/nc/6.4.0/ sudo mkdir '/Applications/Network Connect.app/Contents/Frameworks'

To log in again, you can either use your web browser or launch the Network Connect application. Subsequent logins should go more quickly than your first, as the client will not need to be downloaded again.

Note: After 30 minutes of inactivity, you will be timed out automatically. Active connections will be timed out automatically after nine hours.

If you prefer, you can manually configure your SSL VPN connection from off-campus:

  1. In a browser, go to: https://vpn.iu.edu/
  2. Enter your Network ID credentials.

  3. The first time you log in at that URL, the server will download and install a Java applet (Network Connect) to your workstation. If you are prompted to accept a certificate from Juniper, do so.
  4. The browser window will remain open after you are connected; you may close it if you wish. You don't need to click Start next to "Network Connect" in the browser window. You should be able to see a Network Connect window with information about your VPN connection.

  5. To log out, click Sign Out in the Network Connect window or in the browser window, if you have left it open.

Compatible operating systems and browsers

IU's SSL VPN service should work with the following operating systems:

  • Windows:
    • Windows 7
    • Windows Vista (Enterprise, Ultimate, Business, Home Basic, Home Premium)
    • Windows XP (Professional and Home) with Service Pack (SP) 2 or SP3
    • Windows 2000 Professional with SP4
  • Macintosh:
    • Mac OS X 10.2 and later (on both PowerPC and Intel Macs)
  • Linux:
    • OpenSuse 10.x or 11 (32-bit only)
    • Ubuntu 7.10 or 8.10 (32-bit only)
    • Fedora 9 (32-bit only)
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (32-bit only)

Note: If you find that you need to install the Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE), visit Java Downloads for All Operating Systems - Sun Microsystems. Follow the download and instruction links for your operating system.

IU's SSL VPN service should work with the following browsers:

  • Windows:
    • Firefox 2 or 3
    • Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8
  • Macintosh:
    • Safari 1.0 and above
    • Firefox 2 or 3
  • Linux:
    • Firefox 2 or 3

You must have Sun Java Runtime Environment 5/1.5.07 or above.