Accessing the University network off-campus (VPN)
The University uses a Cisco VPN client to securely connect your computer or mobile device to the University network if you are off-campus.
What is a virtual private network (VPN)?
A virtual private network (VPN) provides individuals secure access to the University network.
When you launch the VPN client on your computer, you use your UniKey credentials to establish a VPN connection. This allows the University network to recognise you as a student and allow your personal computer or mobile phone to establish a virtual connection to the network.
The connection is also private; the VPN client acts like a "tunnel" so the data that is passed between your computer and the University network is not seen by other users of the Internet. This is why a VPN connection is required for you to access University resources (such as internet access, or certain file servers) that are not normally available to visitors.
Why do I need a VPN connection?
You need a VPN connection when you are using the University's wireless network usyd or when you are at home and need to access a resource (such as a database or a file server) that is only available if your computer is on the University network.
Some University resources are restricted so that only people who are using the University wired network are allowed access. For example, the Library website contains links to databases that can be accessed from a University computer for free after you have logged in using your UniKey. The same resource may may not be available to visitors.
You need to create a VPN connection using your UniKey to allow the network to recognise you as a student and allow your computer to establish a virtual and private connection to the network, enabling access to that resource.
The Cisco VPN client has three groups of settings called profiles which determine different levels of access, depending on your location or type of connection. See Using the Cisco VPN client under the Troubleshooting tab for more information about which profile to use.