The VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides end-to-end secure access between a remote computer and on-campus computer resources. This means that, from home or another location, you can access your desktop, file shares, or servers that are on-campus. All WPI faculty, staff and students may use the VPN. When using the VPN, all traffic destined for WPI is encrypted, while all traffic destined for all other internet sites is not.
You will need to confirm you have the correct system requirements on the computer you plan to use from a remote location (working from home, for example) and you will need your WPI username and password.
| Network Connect Installation Instructions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Instructions | Video Tutorial |
| Mac OS X | Instructions | Video Tutorial |
| Linux (32-bit only) | Instructions | |
A VPN is a secure connection through an on campus Extranet server that allows encrypted access to the same resources as if you were on campus.
For example, let's say that you have a laptop computer that you are using somewhere off campus. At this distant location you realize that the presentation you have to give is on your Unix drive. You can't map that directory to a drive on your computer if you are off campus.
With the VPN, you could run the client software and map your drives just like you were on campus. All traffic between your laptop and the Extranet server and WPI Network is encrypted and secure, so you don't have to worry about sensitive information being intercepted en route. Traffic between your laptop and the Internet at large continues to be routed through normal means, and is NOT encrypted by the VPN.
The VPN is available for WPI account holders working off-campus needing services that are only available while connected to WPI's network. This includes as mapping network file shares, accessing license servers for courseware, etc. The VPN does NOT provide access to off-campus services (such as e-journals that the library subscribes to) with a WPI IP address. If you need to use off-campus web services with a WPI IP address, you must still use the WPI Proxy Server. For additional security when using the proxy server, we strongly recommend you use the VPN as well, since this will encrypt your login and password when logging in to the proxy server.
The VPN is only intended for use from off-campus. Using it while connected to WPI's on-campus network will provide no additional benefits, and may cause problems with certain applications.
Before using the VPN, please ensure your computer meets these requirements.
First download Juniper Networks Network Connect software, and then login to it with your WPI email address and password when you are working from off-campus.
Prior to downloading the VPN software, ensure that your computer meets the necessary system requirements. Follow installation directions for your operating system.
Open a browser and go to https://vpn.wpi.edu.
Optionally you can add it to your Desktop or Dock:
After signing in to the VPN, you can map a network drive to the file share, or open a previously mapped network share by clicking on it.
When you are connected, the Network Connect icon appears in your system tray (Windows) or in your Dock (Mac). Click on the icon and then the Disconnect button.
To reconnect at a later time you can do one of the following:
Please consult Gordon Library’s Off-Campus Access information.
Before using the VPN, please ensure your computer meets these requirements.
| Requirement | Windows (All versions) | Mac OS X (10.4 32 bit, 10.5 32 or 64 bit, 10.6 32 or 64 bit) | Linux (32 bit only) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oracle Java http://java.com |
JRE 1.6 or newer | Mac OS packaged JRE. | JRE 1.6 or newer |
| If you do not have an appropriate version of Java, you can download it from http://java.com | |||
| Administrative Account | All operating systems require an account with Administrator (or root) level access to install the VPN client | ||
| Web Browser | Any | Any | Firefox 3.0 or newer |
| Other | XTerm program (xterm) | ||