Using Mac OS X, if I cannot connect to IU's VPN server using L2TP over IPsec, what should I do?

Note: This document assumes you are using Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

If you are using Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or 10.5 (Leopard) and cannot make a VPN connection to the Indiana University network, update your operating system to the latest version. For instructions on how to use Software Update, see For Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I obtain and install system software updates?

If you are using Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), or if upgrading doesn't fix the problem, try using the PPTP protocol instead of L2TP over IPsec. To configure your computer to use PPTP for a remote VPN connection:

Mac OS X 10.5

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... . In the System Preferences window, from the View menu, select Network.
   
   
2. Click + (the plus sign), which will be near the bottom left corner of the Network preferences window. In the sheet that appears, next to "Interface:", choose VPN. Next to "VPN Type:", choose PPTP. Then click Create.

   Note: If you can't click +, click the padlock icon next to "Click the lock to make changes". Enter the password for your account on your Mac and click OK.

3. In the "Server Address:" field, type pptp.indiana.edu (at IU Bloomington) or pptp.iupui.edu (at IUPUI). Next to "Account Name:", type your IU Network ID username.
   
   
4. Click the Authentication Settings... button. In the sheet that appears, make sure the button next to "Password" is clicked, and then enter your IU passphrase. Click OK.
   
   
5. Click Advanced..., and in the sheet that appears, under the Options tab, make sure that Send all traffic over VPN connection is checked. Click OK.
   
   
6. Click Apply. To make a VPN connection, click the Connect button. If you wish to have a small VPN icon displayed in the upper right corner of your screen, leave the box checked next to Show VPN status in menu bar. You can then click this icon and select from several options in the pull-down menu, rather than having to access VPN options from System Preferences.

Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4

1. Open Internet Connect. By default, this application should be located in your Applications folder.
   
   
2. From the File menu, select New VPN connection... .
   
   
3. On the sheet that drops down, select the radio button next to PPTP and click Continue.
   
   
4. In the "Server address:" field, type pptp.indiana.edu (at IU Bloomington) or pptp.iupui.edu (at IUPUI).
   
   
5. Type your IU Network ID username and passphrase in the "Account Name:" and "Password:" fields, respectively.

   Note: In Mac OS X, passphrases for VPN client software are currently limited to 31 characters. This is a problem with Macintosh software, and Apple has not yet announced a date for fixing it.

   If you wish to have a small VPN icon displayed in the upper right corner of your screen, leave the box checked next to Show VPN status in menu bar. You can then click this icon and select from several options in the pull-down menu, rather than having to access VPN options from Internet Connect.

6. From the pull-down menu next to "Configuration:", select Edit Configurations... . In the sheet that drops down, in the field next to "Save As:", type a name for this configuration (e.g., IU remote VPN), and click Save.
   
   
7. Click OK, and if you wish to connect immediately to the IU network, click Connect.

Also see:

• In Mac OS X, how do I configure my network settings to use my AirPort card?
• In Mac OS X, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?