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Campus VPN (Virtual Private Network) Service

Rensselaer's VPN (Virtual Private Network) service is available to all faculty, students, and staff.

  • It provides a secure connection between an off-site user and the RPI campus network, allowing remote users access to secured campus resources. The Microsoft Exchange Server is an example.
  • It is required to access the secured campus wireless network.

New 64-Bit VPN Service Available for Testing

As of early January 2009, a new VPN service which will support 64 bit systems with an SSL-based client is currently being evaluated/tested. Users are welcome to participate in the test with the understanding that the service is still in beta on campus and subject to problems.

The SSL-based client is licensed per user and there is a charge for this, as opposed to the IPSec-based client for which Rensselaer has an unlimited user license. Details are still being finalized to determine the best way for the Institute to handle the licensing of this client, but users should be aware that there may be a future licensing fee when the service goes into production.

To install this new SSL-based client, open a Web browser window and navigate to the Cisco SSL VPN Service website, then enter your RCS userID and password to authenticate to the system. Once you have logged in, the system should guide you through the various steps for installing the Cisco AnyConnect client. You must have Java installed on your computer in order to do this.

Please note that the link given above and this particular VPN service will only work from off campus; users can not connect from on campus. In addition, this solution will not work for wireless VPN access; your option for 64-bit systems is to use 802.1X for wireless.

Accessing the Network

To access the wireless network, you can use either the VPN (instructions below) or 802.1X/PEAP-GTC (instructions) .

Below is information about installing the VPN on your PC (including download instructions for free VPN client software for Microsoft Windows (95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP), Linux, Solaris, and MAC OS X. A client for MAC OS 8.6 through 9.2.2 may be purchased.

Access Requirements

You must have the following in order to user Rensselaer's VPN service:

  • A valid RCS userID and password
  • VPN client software (see list below)
  • Internet access (if using the remote access VPN)
  • An installed 802.11b compatible wireless card. (These cards are pre-installed on Rensselaer's laptops.)

VPN Client Software & Downloads

VPN Client Installation Instructions

Last modified: June 5, 2009
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