NCSU VPN

NC State University's SSL VPN Service

To access secure campus resources at NC State University, VPN client software must be installed on the off-campus computer. When opened, the VPN client requires a username and password to verify the user's identity. Once the user's identity has been verified, the program connects the machine to a virtual NC State network, allowing access to restricted services.

All users should note that NC State University's Computer Use Regulations apply to VPN. For details, please view the VPN Acceptable Use Policy.

Please also review the system requirements for your operating system at these links:

• Windows
• Linux
• Mac OS

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Installing the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client

There are two methods for installing the Cisco AnyConnect client.

• The first method installs the client automatically via the SSL VPN website, and can be used for Microsoft Windows and Linux machines.
• The second method is to download the client from NCSU Comtech's website and install it manually. Manual installation is required for Mac OS machines, and can be used for Windows and Linux machines if the automatic method fails.

METHOD 1 - Automatically via Web Browser

Figure 1 - SSL VPN Login

Open your web browser and navigate to https://vpn.ncsu.edu/. See Figure 1 to the left. Log in using your NC State unityID and password. The webpage will detect whether the AnyConnect client is already installed, and will begin the install process if it does not find it.

• If you are using Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer, the installer will use ActiveX to install the client. Figure 2 below and to the left shows the start of this install.
• If you are using a Linux distribution, or Microsoft Windows with any other web browser, the installer will use Java to install the client. Figure 3 below and to the right shows the start of this install. If you do not have Java, you can download it from here.

Figure 2 - ActiveX Install

Figure 3 - Java Install

• Before the client begins installing, your operating system will likely ask your permission to allow the VPN site to install or run certain components. These prompts may come up as toolbars at the top or bottom of your browser, or they may come up as new dialogue boxes. Figure 4 shows a prompt for the ActiveX install, while Figure 5 shows a prompt for the Java install.

Figure 4 - ActiveX - Permission to install

Figure 5 - Java - Permission to run

• Accept or allow as needed and the client installation will begin.
• If the client install is successful, it should automatically connect to the VPN service. The SSL VPN website should then display a page similar to Figure 6 below. (NOTE: This particular view was captured from a Windows machine, but a Linux machine should display a similar page.)

Figure 6 - Successful Install and Connection established

You now have a install of the Cisco AnyConnect client and can use it to connect to the NCSU VPN service. The client can be launched by running the program on your Windows or Linux machine, setting it to connect to vpn.ncsu.edu, and logging in with your NCSU unityID and password. Alternatively, you can launch the client by returning to https://vpn.ncsu.edu/ and logging in again. The site will detect that the client is already installed and launch it automatically. For more details on usage of the client, scroll to the bottom of this page to find the section, Using the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client.

METHOD 2 - Manual Install

Figure

Figure