How To...

How To... Install Virtual Private Networking Software

Information Resources is pleased to offer Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to all students, faculty, and staff at UTD. Our VPN service is based on Cisco products and consists of hardware servers on our network connecting to software clients installed on individual computers. The results are secure, encrypted communications between client computers and the UTD network. Only the IR-provided Cisco VPN clients are supported at this time.

In order to use the VPN service, you must first download an appropriate VPN client from IR's secure website. IR also provides "profiles" which contain all of the necessary information to connect the client to our server. After installing the client and importing the proper profile, the VPN client will be able to connect to the server and you will be prompted to authenticate to the UTD network using your NetID and password. This will allow a secure VPN tunnel to be established after which your connection is secure and you will be effectively a part of the UTD network.

There are two main profiles being provided initially, one for Remote Users coming from off-campus via dialup, cable modem, or DSL, and one for on-campus wireless users. The two profiles are not interchangeable and will not work except in the stated respective environments.

When you are ready to begin, follow the instructions on the Download Software page to download all the necessary files.

Once the software is installed, see Connect Using VPN Software for details on the connection process.

Note: In order to connect to the University Library Database, you must not use VPN. A regular connection is all that is needed in order to access the library’s resource.

These are the instructions for downloading the necessary software for using UTD's VPN service.

Go to UTD's VPN Download Site. If prompted for certificate acceptance, continue to click Next and finally Finish until you reach the login page. Login using your NetID and password. You should now see the link to the VPN Registration and Downloads page. Click on it to proceed.

Note: If you receive an Unauthorized use prohibited error, refresh the web browser or try clicking on the link again. Proceed to login again.
Read the service agreement and click I accept to continue.
From here, download the appropriate Client for your machine/OS.
Download the appropriate Profile for user usage: Select UTD-ISP for remote user/off-Campus access or UTD-Wireless for on-Campus wireless access.
Note: Windows users do not have to download separate profiles. They are already included within the program.
Download any desired Documentation for installation.
Click LOGOUT after all downloads are completed.
Once you have downloaded all the appropriate files, proceed to follow either the Windows Install instructions or Mac Install instructions.
For further assistance, contact the Help Desk at 972-883-2911 or assist@utdallas.edu. The Help Desk’s office is located in JO 3.906.

These are the instructions for installing the VPN software on a Windows computer.

After agreeing to the service agreement, click on the link of the file you wish to download. When your web browser prompts you to Run or Save, click the Run button.
After the file is downloaded, the installer will begin to run. You will see the screen below to begin the install. Click Run.
From here, click OK to proceed with the self-extraction.
Once the self-extraction is complete, the installer will begin to run. Click Next to proceed.
Read the license agreement. Select I accept the license agreement and then click Next to proceed.
Select the folder where the application will be installed. Once you are done, click Next to continue.
The application is now ready to install. Click Next to begin the installation.
After the application has been successfully installed, click Finish to exit the installation.
You will be prompted to restart your computer in order for the new configuration changes to take effect. Click Yes to restart your computer immediately or No if you plan on restarting manually later.
Note: You must restart your computer, otherwise, the VPN software will not work.
For further assistance, contact the Help Desk at 972-883-2911 or assist@utdallas.edu. The Help Desk’s office is located in JO 3.906.

These are the instructions for installing the VPN software on a Mac computer. You will need Mac OS X version 10.4 or greater in order to install this software.

After agreeing to the service agreement, click on the link of the file you wish to download. Save the file to your desktop.
After the file is downloaded, double-click on the CiscoVPNClient icon to begin.
From here, click on the Cisco VPN Client.mpkg icon to proceed with the installation.
A popup as shown below will appear. Click Continue to proceed.
Read the introduction and follow the directions. Click Continue to proceed.
Read the license agreement. Once you are done, click Continue to move on.
A popup as shown below will appear. Click Agree to proceed.
Select a destination volume to install the Cisco VPN Client software into.
You will be prompted to click Upgrade to perform a basic install of the software package. Click Upgrade to continue.
You will have to authenticate your username and password. Note: Enter in the name and password you use to login to your Mac computer.
Once the software is successfully installed, you will see the window below. Click Close to finish.
For further assistance, contact the Help Desk at 972-883-2911 or assist@utdallas.edu. The Help Desk’s office is located in JO 3.906.