Northern State University

VPN INSTRUCTIONS (CD)

Following are instructions for installing and setting up the Cisco Systems VPN Client on your home computer or laptop (Windows Operating System) for remote access to the NSU network. Once you have established a VPN connection, all traffic between your computer and the NSU network will be encrypted. While the VPN connection is active, you will not be able to browse the Internet from your home machine. Please visit our NSU VPN FAQ’s website for more information.

Since you will now have a direct tunnel to the NSU network and your computer will be an extension of NSU, it is EXTREMELY important you do the following prior to establishing a VPN:
  1. Read the NSU VPN Policy and Acceptable Use Policy.
  2. Complete the VPN Request Form, print and sign (you also need your Dean or supervisor’s signature) and mail to Jodi Casanova.
  3. Your machine must be fully patched with the Microsoft Windows critical patches. You can use this link http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp or do the following:
  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click on Tool, Windows Update
  3. Click the Scan for Updates link
  4. Install critical updates only
  5. You may need to restart your machine and check for updates several times if you are way behind. Keep running Windows Update until you get a message stating there are no critical updates at this time.
  1. Install Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition as instructed below.
  2. Install Cisco VPN Client as instructed below.


Symantec Anti-Virus Client Installation

  1. Close all programs and uninstall other antivirus clients
  2. Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
  3. Click on the link below to install Symantec Anti-Virus Client. You will be prompted for your NSU username and password. Click the Next button through the install to accept the default installation. If necessary your machine will be rebooted at the end of the installation. The client is set to do a scan of your machine after installation so your machine may appear slow until the scan is finished. You will need to reinsert the CD to continue with the installation of the VPN client.
  4. Install Symantec Anti-Virus Now

Cisco VPN Client Installation

  1. Close all programs first as your machine will be restarted at the end of the install.
  2. Click on the link below to begin installation

Install VPN Client Now

Note: If you have an older version of the Cisco client already installed, this will remove the client and reboot your machine. You will then need to click on the above link to install the newer version of the client.

Establishing VPN Connection

  1. Click Start, Programs, NSU Network VPN and select NSU VPN Tunnel.
  2. You will see a gold paddle lock on the taskbar in the lower right corner of your screen. A closed lock indicates an established VPN connection.
  3. To disconnect the VPN session, right click on the gold paddle lock and click Disconnect. You will now see an open lock and you will no longer be connected to NSU.