The basics of VPN at IU

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to temporarily create or join a private network across an existing public network by creating an encrypted tunnel between two hosts. The tunnel allows you to transfer information securely and to access remote resources.

On this page:

• VPN at IU
• Connecting to SSL VPN
• Connecting using IPsec or PPTP
• Protecting your data
• Older protocols
• Additional information

VPN at IU

The VPN service at Indiana University serves two primary purposes:

• It provides authentication and encryption when you use a home wireless network or the IU Wireless network at the regional campuses.
  
  
• The IU VPN allows you to authenticate and act as part of the IU network when you're connected to an off-campus network, for example, when you're using a non-IU Internet service provider (ISP). When you use the IU VPN, you can access IP-restricted university resources and connect to network file servers. The VPN allows you to access library databases restricted to IU students, faculty, and staff, and also to access some of the software available on IUware Online.

A new service, SSL VPN, offers web-based, cross-platform access to IU's VPN. UITS recommends that if you are using the older IPsec or PPTP VPN service at IU Bloomington or IUPUI, you switch to SSL VPN.

Note: At Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI, you can access the wireless network without using VPN. See What is IU Secure?

Connecting to SSL VPN

To connect to SSL VPN, see At IU, what is the SSL VPN service and how do I connect?

Connecting using IPsec or PPTP

On July 13, 2009, UITS will retire the PPTP VPN servers at IUB and IUPUI; while the IPsec VPN servers will remain available, UITS recommends switching to SSL VPN. See the instructions at At IU, what is the SSL VPN service and how do I connect? If you wish to configure an IPsec or PPTP connection, see the appropriate document below.

Windows

• In Windows Vista, how do I make an IPsec or PPTP VPN connection to the IU network?
• In Windows XP, how do I make an IPsec or PPTP VPN connection to the IU network?

Macintosh

• In Mac OS X, how do I make an IPsec VPN connection to the IU network?

Linux

• In Linux, how can I make an L2TP over IPsec VPN connection to the IU network, and what software do I need?
• In Linux, how can I make a PPTP VPN connection to the IU network, and what software do I need?

iPhone

• At IU, how do I make an IPsec VPN connection with my iPhone?

Windows Mobile 5 or 6

• At IU, how do I make a VPN connection with my Windows Mobile 5 or 6 device?

Protecting your data

The VPN encrypts data you transmit wirelessly (e.g., passphrases, email messages) to prevent this information from being intercepted. For this reason, UITS strongly recommends you use the VPN when connecting to a home wireless network or the IU Wireless network at the regional campuses.

Older protocols

For the older (non-SSL) VPN service, both IU Bloomington and IUPUI support the IPsec protocol, while maintaining PPTP support for older operating systems or devices that cannot connect using IPsec. The regional campuses currently support PPTP VPN connections. Over either PPTP or IPsec connections, VPN services at IUB and IUPUI support only the TCP/IP network protocol suite. This means you may not be able to access some services through the VPN that require other protocols such as IPX/SPX or AppleTalk. For example, you may not be able to map network drives to some network file servers while connected via VPN.

Note: On July 13, 2009, UITS will retire the PPTP VPN servers at IUB and IUPUI; while the IPsec VPN servers will remain available, UITS recommends switching to SSL VPN.

Additional information

Note: IU's VPN is intended for individual computing accounts only. Group and departmental accounts cannot access the VPN. See Why can't I make a VPN connection through an IU group or departmental account?

Note: If you are authorized for VPN access at either IUB or IUPUI and need to use the wireless network at the other campus, you should be able to make a VPN connection to your home campus network. You don't need a separate account for VPN access at the other campus.

Note: Indiana University and Purdue University allow researchers and visitors wireless access to their own networks from each campus. For details, see Wireless access at Indiana University and Purdue University.

Also see:

• About wireless connections to the Internet at IUB and IUPUI
• At IU, where can I get a signal for wireless network access?