What is IPsec?

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a security protocol that provides encryption and authentication over the Internet. At Indiana University, IPsec provides a means for users at IU Bloomington and IUPUI to connect directly to the IU network over wireless connections or from remote (i.e., off-campus) locations through a virtual private network (VPN).

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

Note: A new service, SSL VPN, replaces Indiana University's IPsec- or PPTP-based VPN service. See At IU, what is the SSL VPN service and how do I connect? On July 13, 2009, UITS will retire the PPTP VPN servers; while the IPsec VPN servers will remain available, UITS recommends switching to SSL VPN if your campus supports it.

Operating systems with IPsec support

The operating systems that natively support IPsec VPN connections are:

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP Home and Professional and later
• Windows 2000
• Mac OS X 10.3 and later
• Solaris 8 and later
• Various Linux distributions (see individual web sites for which versions)
• Free, Open, and NetBSD (see individual web sites for which versions)

Third-party VPN clients are also available from various companies on the Internet.

Note: Although Windows 2000 technically supports the IPsec protocol, setting it up is a lengthy process that requires editing the registry. Contact your campus Support Center for help.

For PDAs, Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.0, 5.0, and 2003 are the only operating systems known by UITS to possess native IPsec support. PocketPC 2002 and Palm OS require third-party VPN clients. For information regarding any other PDA operating system, consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Settings information

Specific configuration instructions are unique to each platform and operating system, but the following settings are required by all configurations:

The IU IPsec VPN shared secret or pre-shared key for both campuses is hermanbwells .

Configuration instructions at IU

See the appropriate document for your operating system below:

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

Also see:

• The basics of VPN at IU
• What is a pre-shared key or shared secret?
• What is a certificate authority?