ARCHIVED: In Linux, how can I make a PPTP VPN connection to the IU network at a regional campus, and what software do I need?

Note: When on campus, use the IU Secure wireless network; no VPN is needed. (IU Secure will be available at IUN by spring semester 2009.)

Note: When connecting from off campus, SSL VPN is the replacement for IU's IPsec- and PPTP-based VPN services, and UITS recommends using it now if your campus supports it. PPTP is retired at IU Bloomington and IUPUI, and IPsec VPN service at those campuses will be retired by fall 2010.

Indiana University provides a script to help you make a VPN connection; the latest version is available at IUware Online.

You must at least have pptp and ppp-mppe installed. Most modern distributions have the basic pptp requirements built into the install; refer to your distribution's support area if you are unsure.

Once you have downloaded the script from IUware, run the following commands in a terminal window to install:

Run the last two commands as root; follow the prompts for vpn-config.

This will complete your installation. To make a VPN connection, run the following command in a terminal window as root:

To stop the connection, run as root:

To uninstall the script, enter in a terminal window (enter the last command as root):

At Indiana University, for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems support, see At IU, how do I get support for Linux or Unix?

Comments/Questions/Corrections