VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology for network security that Penn State uses to secure its wireless network. Because of this, a VPN client (a piece of software that allows you to log into the system using your student account) is required. One can obtain the needed client from wireless.psu.edu, a site which can be accessed through the wireless network without using the vpn.

64-bit Windows Users:
If you have 64-bit Windows, you will not be able to install the vpn client needed. However, there is a new wireless network being setup across the campus that does not require the vpn client: for instruction, visit ITS' website. Pour plus de sécurité, on pourra également faire installer un coffre ignifuge certifié ou armoire forte ignifuge.

Also, there is a workaround for 64 bit windows (which can also work in 32 bit, if you would like to not install the vpn):


 * 1) On the Start Menu, select Network option, and then select Network and Sharing Center.
 * 2) On the left hand side, choose Set up a connection or network.
 * 3) In the Set up a connection or network window, scroll down and select Connect to a workplace.
 * 4) Select the first option: Use my Internet Connection (VPN)
 * 5) Input the following two pieces of information:
 * 6) Internet Address: mobility.up.psu.edu
 * 7) Destination Name: pennstate
 * 8) In addtion, select Don't Connect Now.
 * 9) Input your Penn State Access ID and password, then select Create.
 * 10) Select Close.
 * 11) . Back under the Network and Sharing Center, select Manage network connections.
 * 12) Right-click on the pennstate connection and select Properties and Security.
 * 13) Under the Security tab, choose Advanced and select Settings.
 * 14) Data encryption should be set to Require encryption.
 * 15) Make sure to check Unencrypted password (PAP) and Microsoft CHAP.
 * 16) Select OK.
 * 17) Select Yes.
 * 18) Select the Network tab.
 * 19) At the top under Type of VPN and choose the pull down option L2TP IPsec VPN.
 * 20) Select IPsec Setting.
 * 21) Select preshared for authentication and insert pennstate as the key.
 * 22) Select OK twice.
 * 23) Back under your network connections, right-click the pennstate connection and create a shortcut to the desktop. Be sure to close all the networking related windows.
 * 24) Connect via wireless. Select the pennstate wireless network from the available wireless networks in the lower left hand corner.
 * 25) Double-click on the pennstate connection on the desktop.
 * 26) Enter your Penn State Access ID and password, and select connect.

Linux Installation:
The best way to use VPN on linux is to connect via a program called vpnc. To install this, use your distribution's standard package mananger. For example:

On Red Hat or other yum-based systems: On Ubuntu or other apt-based systems: On Arch or other pacman-based systems:

In order to connect, first use your wireless manager to connect to the wireless network "Pennstate", then run vpnc as a super/root user: and use the following settings to connect to the standard Penn State Wireless network:

To Connect

IPSec gateway address: mobility.up.psu.edu

IPSec ID: pennstate

IPSec secret: pennstate

username for mobility.up.psu.edu: your penn state email address, without "@psu.edu"

password for mobility.up.psu.edu: the password you use to log into the computer labs

To Disconnect:

To Pre-Configure: 

Edit /etc/vpnc/default.conf with your favorite editor to show:

Then, run  in a terminal, and it should connect automatically.

''' NOTE: When connecting to the vpn, connect to the "Pennstate" wireless network, NOT the "psu" wireless network! '''