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VPN Connection

What Is A VPN Connection?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection allows you to connect securely to the central network from any location across the public Internet. This is particularly useful for broadband users working from home and for distant collaborators needing access to our network facilities.

By establishing a secure encrypted VPN connection you can: directly access data on our network drives; send/receive email messages using your preferred email programme.

To connect via VPN you simply require a Single Sign On (SSO) remote access account and a working internet connection via broadband or LAN connection.

Connecting To The VPN Under Windows 7, XP And Vista

  • Step 1. Login to you PC or Laptop as workstation only
  • Step 2. Once logged in make sure you have a broadband connection
  • Step 3. Connect and select 'Cisco VPN' from the programs menu
  • Step 4. Login to 'Cisco VPN' (address is vpn.ox.ac.uk)
  • Step 5. Once the connection has been established click the 'up' arrow on the system tray and right click on the red letter 'N'
  • Step 6. Login using your standard Novell login details

Your network drives will be connected for you automatically

Connecting Via VPN Under Mac OS X

Instructions on how to download and install the VPN client can be found here.

Alternative VPN

There is an alternative VPN service available, this is offered by MSD IT and the main difference is the address VPN1.imsu.ox.ac.uk

This uses your Novell username and password.

The advantage to this is to login to network drives straight away offering a faster connection rather than having several hops. The big disadvantage is it’s an experimental service and has not yet been finalised.