Academic Services Information & Computing Services Division Network Team Network Team Document for connecting a Mac to the University VPN system Document reference: Document type: Document status: Review period: NT0001 Network Team Document Live Twelve months Next review date: 13 June 2014
Contents 1) Obtaining the Network Connect application... 3 2) Sign into the Secure Access Service... 3 3) Download the Network Connect application... 4 4) Install the Application... 4 5) Launch the VPN application... 5 6) Specify the VPN address... 5 7) Sign in to the VPN Service... 5 8) Connection completed... 6 8) Signing out from the VPN service... 6 9) Connecting to the VPN service via the Web... 7 10) More Information... 7 Version 1:00 Page 2 of 7
If you are a Mac user, the new secure VPN service for Exeter does not automatically install the Network Connect application from the web page. The application needs to be downloaded and installed first, and then the VPN connection can be made either through the secure web gateway or directly from the desktop application. These instructions apply to Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6, although all Mac OS X versions should work providing they have the latest applicable version of Java installed. 1) Obtaining the Network Connect application The Network Connect application is stored on a secure web page, so you need to sign in to the secure service in order to download it. 1) In your web browser, go to https://secure.exeter.ac.uk/ 2) Sign into the Secure Access Service Enter your usual University of Exeter username and password and then click the Sign In button. Agree to running java applets from the Exeter VPN service by (1) clicking Allow all applets and (2) clicking Allow The Network Connect application will attempt to install. Click on Always to allow the setup to continue. Version 1:00 Page 3 of 7
You are now signed in to the secure web service in your web browser, but the Network Connect application will not have been correctly installed. It will need to be downloaded manually. 3) Download the Network Connect application Use the web browser to download the Network Connect application directly from https://secure.exeter.ac.uk/danacached/nc/network Connect.dmg The Network Connect installer is downloaded. 4) Install the Application If your browser has not automatically opened the downloaded disk image, find NetworkConnect.dmg in your download folder and double-click it. Double-click on the installer icon NetworkConnect.pkg to start the installation. Click through the installer, accepting the terms and conditions. When prompted, enter an administrator account and password to complete the installation. Version 1:00 Page 4 of 7
5) Launch the VPN application Once the installation has completed, launch the Network Connect application from the Applications folder. Optional: For future use, you can keep this icon in the dock. Right-click on the dock icon and choose Options > Keep in Dock 6) Specify the VPN address The first time you connect to the VPN you may need to type in the service address when prompted. This address will be automatically used on subsequent uses of the VPN. Enter secure.exeter.ac.uk at the Sign in at: prompt, and then press the return key. 7) Sign in to the VPN Service Next, enter your usual University of Exeter username and password and then click the Sign In button. After a brief wait (you may see this message) the connection will be made. Version 1:00 Page 5 of 7
8) Connection completed The Network Connect application must remain running whilst you use the VPN service. The monitor window can be kept on your desktop as a reminder that you are using the service, or can be hidden. If your default browser is running, a new window will open with your UOE nsecure Access Service homepage. You can reach this page at any time by clicking the Home icon in the monitor window. Optional: Hide the monitor window by bringing the Network Connect application to the front and choosing File > Hide Network Connect or by typing cmd-h. 8) Signing out from the VPN service It is important that you remember to sign out when you have finished with your VPN session. You can do so in any of the following 3 ways: 1. Bring the Network Connect monitor window to the front and click the Sign Out icon and then click Sign Out in the next screen. After confirming that the session has been terminated, you should Quit Network Connect if you will not be using it again. 2) Just Quit (cmd-q) the Network Connect application directly, then click Quit in the confirmation screen. Version 1:00 Page 6 of 7
3. From the UOE Secure Access Service homepage, click the Sign Out icon. The session will terminate and the desktop Network Connect application will automatically quit. 9) Connecting to the VPN service via the Web Once you have installed the Network Connect application, you can choose to start your VPN session via the secure gateway on the web. In your web browser, go to https://secure.exeter.ac.uk/ You may wish to save this as a bookmark for future use. Enter your usual University of Exeter username and password and then click the Sign In button. The Network Connect desktop application will be launched and automatically create your VPN connection. The web browser will display your secure home page. 10) More Information More information about the VPN service can be obtained from the IT Services web page at http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/network/vpn/ Otherwise please contact IT Services Helpdesk at http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/helpdesk/ Version 1:00 Page 7 of 7