This document will help Macintosh users set up a VPN connection on their machine.
Information Technology documentation is available online at http://www.wooster.edu/technology/help/.
Last revised: February 26, 2008
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a private network that is set up on a public network. The College of Wooster maintains a private network for the campus allowing access to email, file space, servers, and information specific to the College. The idea behind a VPN is to allow users to those same private services in a secured fashion through public internet access.
Users connected through the VPN will be able to use all Library resources as if they were on campus. VPN provides several of these restricted access services with proof that you are a part of the Wooster community.
In addition, users can access their personal Novell file space as well as department shared areas. (Please note, web spaces are not available through the VPN.) To access your Novell file space, please see the document entitled, “Native File Access.”
VPN is intended to provide access to on campus resources from off campus. To that end, users cannot access VPN from on campus. In addition, you should disconnect from VPN as soon as you have finished accessing the information you need.
To connect to the VPN, you need a Macintosh computer running OS X or a Windows computer running Windows XP or 2000. In addition you will need to be connected to the Internet.
- Open Macintosh HD, click on the Applications folder, and double-click the Internet Connect application.
- In the window that appears, click the VPN icon.
- Select PPTP as the type of VPN connection and click Continue.
- Next to Configuration, it wil say Other. Choose Edit Configurations from the drop down menu.
- Enter a Description for the connection so you will be able to access it easily. The Server Address is cow-vpn.wooster.edu and your Account Name is your user name. Select Password as the User Authentication method and enter your e-mail password. Choose Automatic (128-bit or 40-bit) under Encryption and click OK.
- You will then see the configuration settings populate the in the VPN screen. Make sure Show VPN status in menu bar is checked and clikc Connect.
You are now connected to the VPN. When you close the window, you will be prompted to save the connection. Be sure to save it for the next time you wish to use the VPN.
Once you have finished using the VPN connection, you must disconnect. To do so, go to the top right corner of your screen and click on the VPN icon.
Select Disconnect from the menu that appears.
If you need assistance with this process, contact the Help Desk at xHELP (4357).