Virtual Private Network |
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VCU is providing a free secure remote access method for faculty and staff who need to connect to resources on the VCU network. It is required that this Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology be used from any remote location. This VPN technology is Cisco AnyConnect and will work on Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server and Windows 2000 Pro. It will also work on i386 MAC OSX 10.4+ and Power PC. Linux Distributions such as Red Hat/Fedora/CentOS/Ubuntu have also been tested and work.
Access Information:
First Time Use: All VCU Faculty/Staff are enabled for VPN access. If you are unable to access a specific VCU resource for which you are authorized for remote access, please contact your local IT support person to request this remote VPN access. After your remote access has been enabled, follow the steps outlined in the Steps for Using the VPN. 
VCU Request Form |
IT Support Staff
In order to request remote access to specific VCU resources, log into the IT Professionals website by clicking on the VCU Request Form link below, and select VPN Request under Security Resources in the left panel of the screen where information about the request can be entered.
VCU Request Form |
Subsequent Uses:
VPN can be used from any remote location by following the steps outlined in the Steps for Using VPN. You will be able to connect to any VCU resource for which you have been granted access. |
Quick Sections:
III. VPN Frequently Asked Questions
Information about VCU’s VPN:
What is VCU’s VPN?
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology for establishing a secure connection over an existing “public” infrastructure using encryption. It creates a “virtual” segment or tunnel between the remote computer and the VPN server on the VCU network, and the contents of the communication are protected and cannot be viewed by intruders.
VPN is enabled for faculty and staff and select vendors to use when there is a need for secure remote access to resources on the VCU network. For example, if a VCU system administrator needs to connect to a server remotely for administration, the VPN must be used to ensure that data cannot be sniffed during transmission. If a staff or faculty member needs to connect remotely in order to access sensitive data that is located on VCU server, the VPN must be used.
Whenever secure remote access to resources on the VCU network is needed, the VPN client should be launched before attempting any access. The VPN is not necessary for access to systems such as VCU’s email system or to Blackboard since these systems have their own security safeguards. There are two versions of the VPN client available:
Authentication to the WebVPN is with your VCU eID username and password. When you select the WebVPN Client, the client software will load on your computer. This software uses a helper application and depending upon your browser and operating system platform, the helper application will be JAVA or Active X. The enabling of the helper application is automatic and is part of the process of establishing an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VCU VPN server. Once the VPN client has loaded, you will then be able to access resources on the VCU Network for which you are authorized.
- You will be presented with a WebVPN login box in which you enter your VCU eID username and password:
November 15, 2007
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