VPN Help
The VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a program which allows a host computer in Penn State's network to recognize a computer which is trying to connect to it. Without running the VPN, there is no way to get through Penn State's firewall. The VPN is essentially a communication tunnel that links the two locations and lets you pass information back and forth. There is no need to run the VPN from a lab machine because it is already detected on the network.
There are several features offered by the Architectural Engineering Computer Lab which are only possible through the VPN. These include:
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Connecting wirelessly in the Engineering Units, Hammond, Sackett, EE West and Reber
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Connecting to the AE computer lab's network drives from outside of the Penn State network
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Running programs that need to be authenticaed by a licence server from outside of the Penn State network (AutoCAD for example)
Installing the VPN:
Before you actually download the VPN, you will be prompted
for your CAC/ITS username and password:
Choose Save and direct
the download to your desktop
After you have downloaded the VPN to the desktop, double click the file and click the Setup
button to install the VPN. Setup is automated from this point; allow the client to install with default settings, reboot the computer, then you're ready to go.
Setup:
After you have completed the installation and
restarted your computer, the new program will be found under
Start>All Programs>Cisco Systems
VPN Client>VPN Client:
When you start the program, you should get a screen
that looks like this: (VPN Profiles may vary)
Your profiles are listed on the left (COE_wireless, COE_from_ISP, etc...). You will need to run a different profile for different VPN applications.
Common uses for different profiles:
| Profile | Common Uses |
| COE_Wireless | Connects your wireless laptop with the network in Sackett, Hammond, EE West, Reber and the Engineering Units. Only COE students (or students taking engineering courses) and faculty can run the COE VPNs. |
| COE_from_ISP | Connects your computer (from outside the PSU network such as your home) to the College of Engineering's VPN server. Even if you are connected wirelessly at your home, you need to run this profile if you want to connect to COE. Again, only COE students (or students taking engineering courses) and faculty can run the COE VPNs. Run this profile if you want to run software from home which you copied from the O:\ drive, and needs to be authenticated by a licence server. This is also the primary profile to use when mapping network drives from outside of the Penn State network. You can also add printers from this profile. |
| ISPtoPSU | Connects your computer (from
outside the PSU network such as your home) to Penn State's
VPN server. You can also use this profile to map certain
network drives. |
| ITS Wireless at UP | Connects your wireless laptop with the network in the HUB. All students and faculty can connect to this network. |
If you can't connect:
If you are running Windows XP, click Start>Control Panel>Performance and Maintenance>Administrative Tools>Services. Once in Services, scroll down to the service IPSEC Services. If it is listed as Started, right click on it and choose Stop. Close the Services window and try the VPN again.
If you are running Windows 2000, click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services. As stated above, if you see the IPSEC Services listed as Started, right click on it and choose Stop. Close the Services window and try the VPN again.
What next?
Once you have figured out which profile to use,
double click it. You will be prompted for your username and
password:
You can verify that you are connected by looking
in the system tray for a yellow padlock icon which symbolizes
the secure connection through the VPN:
When the padlock is in the locked position, you
are connected. To disconnect, right click on the system tray
icon and choose disconnect. The padlock will then be in an unlocked
position:
Disconnected:
Additional questions:
If you have any questions that were not addressed or answered sufficiently, please go to our lab assistants page and contact one of the assistants.