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
• Instructions for connecting
• Protecting your data
• Supported protocols
• Additional information

VPN at IU

The VPN service at Indiana University serves two primary purposes:

• It provides authentication and encryption when you use the IU Wireless network or a home wireless network.

  Note: The new IU Secure wireless network, widely available on the Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI campuses, provides secure connections without the use of a VPN. See What is IU Secure? If you are using the IU Secure network, you do not need to make a VPN connection.

• 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.

Instructions for connecting

Windows

• In Windows Vista, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?
• In Windows XP, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?
• In Windows 2000, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network using PPTP?

Macintosh

• In Mac OS X, how do I make a 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 a VPN connection with my iPhone?

Windows Mobile 5 or 6

• At IU, how do I connect my Windows Mobile 5 or 6 device to the wireless network?

Windows Mobile 2003 (aka Pocket PC 2003)

• At IUB and IUPUI, in Windows Mobile 2003, how do I make a VPN connection?
• How do I connect my iPaq Windows Mobile 2003 PDA to the wireless network?
• At IUB and IUPUI, how do I connect my Dell Axim Windows Mobile 2003 PDA to the wireless network?

Palm Tungsten

• With a Palm Tungsten, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?

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, and if you use the IU Wireless network. On IU Wireless, your access to IU resources will be limited unless you are using VPN.

Note: If your VPN connection is interrupted while you are on IU Wireless, you may not realize the connection has dropped, because you will still have unencrypted access to Internet services not located at IU and to a limited set of IU services. To ensure that you are sending data securely, check periodically to make sure your VPN connection is still active, especially if you have moved your computer.

Supported protocols

Although several VPN protocols exist, Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) and IP Security protocol (IPsec) have become the most prevalent. 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.

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:

• At IU, how do I configure my Windows wireless network card?
• About wireless connections to the Internet at IUB and IUPUI
• In Windows XP, how do I troubleshoot wireless networking problems?
• At IU, where can I get a signal for wireless network access?