What is a VPN?
Why are we using VPN at the University?
What is a VPN client?
When do I need VPN client software?
How do I get the VPN client software?
Do I have to use the software each time I want to access the University?
Can I use the VPN client with any Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
Can I still get to other Internet sites?
What about Personal Firewalls?
Are you secure?
How do I connect to my F: drive?
If I need help or have more questions, whom do I call?
What if I check out a laptop from NSU?

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What is VPN?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure "private" connection between external networks and the University's internal network. Authorized users will be able to access home directories (F drives) and their office computers, Library databases that are licensed for NSU use only, and use the Outlook client rather than Outlook Web Access from off campus, home or when traveling.

Why are we using VPN at the University?

With today's Internet security concerns and privacy regulations, it is important to protect the University's employee information and student records, etc., and make them available only to authorized individuals. The VPN encrypts the data that is going back and forth from the client to the resources on our network. This prevents people from eavesdropping on your network connection. All users must agree to the NSU VPN Policy.

What is a VPN client?

A VPN client is software that is installed on an individual's computer to allow the computer to connect to the University VPN and be authorized to access internal servers and services.

When do I need VPN client software?

Most NSU faculty and staff will not need VPN client software. Most users will use the VPN if they have a high speed Internet connection at home. For example, a cable modem or DSL connection. You do not need VPN to access NSU's main web site or most departmental web sites.

However, you do need the VPN client software if you are off campus and need access to a fileserver or restricted service that is not open to the public. Examples include:

You are a server system administrator and you want to work on your server from home
You are a faculty/staff member who needs access to your own personal office desktop computer or your F drive
You are working with the student information system (Colleague) or personnel information

How do I get the VPN client software?

The VPN client software is available for download. You will need to use your NSU network (email) account and password to access the VPN client software web page.

The Windows VPN client software is pre-configured for use with the NSU network.

Do I have to use the software each time I want to access the University? FAQ

A1 If you want to have basic access to the University, just like a normal Internet users, then the answer is NO.

A2 If you want to access internal resources like you can from any computer on campus, then the answer is Yes.

Can I use the VPN client with any Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Yes! You can use this software anywhere you can get an Internet connection.

Can I still get to other Internet sites?

No, when actively connected to the University network, VPN's will force all traffic to and from the PC over the VPN tunnel; all other traffic will be dropped.

What about Personal Firewalls?

Recent versions of the Cisco VPN Client have become more compatible with personal firewalls, and they in turn more compatible with Cisco software. It is now feasible to install the Cisco client without disabling your firewall, but be prepared to disable it if you have connection problems, to see if the firewall is causing you problems. If you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP), we recommend leaving the integrated firewall ON at all times.

Are you secure?

You should keep your home computer secure by:

Installing patches for your operating system as they come out
Running anti-virus software

To keep Windows up to date, we advise switching on Automatic Updates.

The University has a site license for Symantec Anti-Virus which allows faculty and staff to use the software on their own computers whilst they are members of the University.

How do I connect to my F drive?

For Windows NT, 2000 & XP

Right-click on the My Computer icon which will be found on the desktop or the [Start] menu
Click on [Map Network Drive]
In the Drive: box select F: on the drop-down menu
In the Folder: box type:
\\nsu-fs01\users\your_university_username

Click on Connect using a [Different user name]
In the User name: box type:
NSU\your_university_username

In the Password: box type:
your_university_password

Click [OK]
Click [Finish]

To check that your F: drive is now available, double-click on the [My Computer] icon. You should see an icon representing your network drive F:

When editing files, we recommend that you copy them to the hard disk on your computer (e.g. the C: drive) and copy them back once you have finished updating the document.

If I need help or have more questions, whom do I call?

Call the NSU Help Desk at 626-2283 with installation or general questions on VPN. Problems that cannot be resolved immediately will be escalated to the Network Services staff for resolution.


What if I check out a laptop from NSU?

The VPN client will be installed on all NSU laptops checked out to Faculty/Staff. Although the VPN client will be on the machine, you will still need to complete the VPN Request Form as access is authorized by user account, not machine.