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Pulse Secure VPN Installation and Configuration

:!: IMPORTANT NOTE:
Effective 1/4/2021, Olin's VPN service will migrate to a new connection endpoint. All users should update their Pulse Secure VPN client connection to vpn.olin.edu. If you have an existing jvpn.olin.edu connection, simply edit and update it with the new Server URL vpn.olin.edu. Alternatively, you may create a new connection with the new Server URL and remove the old jvpn connection.

The Pulse Secure VPN client is Olin's current method of remotely connecting to internal network resources from off campus.

Please only load the VPN client on Olin or personal systems. Do not load the client on any public kiosk style or non-personal machines.

Please note that the new Pulse Secure VPN service may take up to 30 seconds for your machine to complete the connection to the Olin VPN server even though the icon on the desktop shows the connection is active.

Web VPN Portal

You may choose to use the web based interface to access network resources after logging into the web portal: https://vpn.olin.edu using your network credentials.

There is a list of bookmarked links to commonly used sites as well as a file section that provides direct access o the Olin internal file cluster and user home folders.

When accessing file shares in this manner, you will have to download the files you would like to modify to your local machine, modify them, then upload them back to your location on the network file share through the web portal.

Please Note: To run networked applications such as Matlab, you must use the client software so your computer is recognized as being on the Olin domain.

Windows

  • Log into vpn.olin.edu with your network credentials and choose the link for VPN-Installers under the file section to download the installation software.
  • Download and install the installation for your operating system architecture.
  • Double-click the installer to begin the installation.
  • Click Next on the Welcome screen
  • Leave the Setup Type as Complete and Next again
  • Click Install at the Ready to Install window.
  • You will get a pop up for UAC (User Account Control) click Yes to allow installation.
  • Click Finish once installation is completed and the Pulse Secure client will automatically launch.
  • Click on the Pulse Secure icon on the task bar then select the Open Pulse Secure option.

Configuration

Updating Existing Connection:

  • Open the Pulse Secure client
  • Select the connection to edit/update
  • Click the pencil icon to edit the connection details
  • Modify the “Server URL:” entry to: vpn.olin.edu
  • Click Save
  • Click Connect on the updated connection and follow “Connecting to VPN” steps below to confirm it works properly.

Creating a New Connection:

  • Click the plus sign under Connections to add a new connection
  • Leave Type as “Policy Secure (UAC) or Connect Secure (VPN)”
  • Enter a name you will recognize for the connection such as OLIN
  • Enter vpn.olin.edu for the Server URL.
  • Click Add.
  • Click Connect on your newly created connection and follow “Connecting to VPN” steps below to confirm it works properly.

Connecting to VPN:

  • Click Connect on the appropriate Connection entry (vpn.olin.edu)
  • Enter your Olin network username and password when prompted then click Connect
  • There is an extra step now to chose one of two roles; Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel.
    • Full tunnel will route all traffic to/from your computer through Olin's network.
      • Please note that Full Tunnel will also prevent you from accessing network resources on your local network.
    • Split Tunnel will only route traffic destined for Olin networks to Olin, all other traffic will utilize your local Internet connection.
      • We recommend using Split Tunnel from home and Full Tunnel elsewhere, particularly on insecure and/or open wireless networks.
  • Select a Tunnel role and click Connect.
  • To disconnect, left click the Pulse Secure icon in your system tray (by your clock), select the connection OLIN and then Disconnect.

Mac

  • From on campus:
    • Open Finder.
    • Select Go at the top of your screen.
    • Select Connect to Server.
    • Connect to smb://fsvs01/Applications/Public/VPN/PulseSecure/MacOS
  • From off campus:
    • Log into vpn.olin.edu with your network credentials and choose the link for VPN-Installers under the file section to download the installation software.
  • Double-Click the installer and then double-click PulseSecure.dmg
  • Click Continue and then Install
  • When prompted, enter in your local Mac password (not network credentials)
  • Wait for the installation to complete, then click Close.
  • Click the new Pulse Secure icon in the top right of your screen (by the clock).
  • Select Open Pulse Secure.

Configuration

  • Click the plus sign to make a new connection
  • Enter a name for the connection such as OLIN
  • Enter vpn.olin.edu for the Server URL and click Add.
  • Click Connect on your newly created connection.
  • Enter your Olin network username and password when prompted and select connect.
  • Select a Tunnel role and click Connect.
  • To disconnect, Click the Pulse Secure icon again, select OLIN and then Disconnect.

Ubuntu

  • In Ubuntu 18.04, use a web browser to navigate to https://vpn.olin.edu.
  • Log in using your network credentials.
  • Under the Files section, select VPN-Installers, and then Linux.
    • You will be presented with two installers (.rpm / .deb). Most people running Ubuntu on a newer computer will want to download the pulse-9.1R5.x86_64.deb file.
  • Save the file to your Downloads folder.
  • Open a Terminal window by selecting the super-key + T key.
    • The super-key is the key between the CTRL and ALT keys on the left side of the keyboard.
  • In the Terminal Window, cd to your Downloads directory.

cd Downloads
  • Run the following commands within the Terminal window to complete the installation. You will be prompted for your Ubuntu login password.
  • Run the following commands within the Terminal window to complete the installation. You will be prompted for your Ubuntu login password.
sudo apt install ./pulse-9.1R5.x86_64.deb
sudo apt install libwebkitgtk-1.0-0
  • The Pulse Secure icon will be visible by pressing the super-key + A.
    • If you don't see the icon, you may need to scroll down to view other apps.
  • Click on the Pulse Secure app to launch it.
  • To create a connection, click the plus sign.
  • Enter a name for the connection, such as Olin College.
  • Type in vpn.olin.edu for the Server in the URL field and click Add.
  • Click Connect on your newly created connection.
    • You will see a second window open that will prompt you for your network Username and Password.
  • When you have logged in, the Connect button will turn to Disconnect. To close the connection, click on the Disconnect button.

VPN Behavioral changes

With the introduction of the Pulse Secure VPN client Olin has implemented what is known as split tunneling. This allows users to utilize their home Internet connection for all non-Olin resources and not have traffic routed through Olin's network unless it is destined for Olin resources. Library resources are a prime example, previously you could go directly to these resources and you would be coming from an Olin owned IP address. This is no longer the case and you will need to use the Library web site to gain access to these resources.

http://library.olin.edu

tags: public drive off campus, network drive off campus, public drive off-campus, network drive off-campus