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Pulse Secure VPN Installation and Configuration

:!: IMPORTANT NOTES:
Effective 1/4/2021: Olin's VPN service has migrated to a new connection endpoint (vpn.olin.edu).
Effective 4/1/2021: Decommissioning of Olin's old VPN connection endpoint (jvpn.olin.edu).

All users must update or replace their existing 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.olin.edu connection.

The Pulse Secure VPN client is currently Olin's only authorized 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 to complete the connection to the Olin VPN server even though the icon on the desktop shows the connection is active.

New VPN Tunneling Options

New connection tunneling options available with Pulse Secure VPN; Split or Full Tunnel.

Split Tunnel: Only transmits data destined for Olin systems, services and/or networks through the vpn tunnel to Olin. All other data will be transmitted directly through your local network connection to it's destination. This allows you to access and use any devices connected to your home network like printers, other computers, etc.

Full tunnel: Routes all data to/from your computer to/through Olin's network via the vpn tunnel. Important note: Full Tunnel prevents you from accessing network resources on your local/home network such as printers or other computers.

We recommend using Split Tunnel from home and Full Tunnel elsewhere, particularly on insecure and/or open wireless networks.

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.

Important Note: To run applications which require checking out a license, such as Matlab, you must use the Pulse Secure VPN client software to connect to the licensing server.

VPN 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.

Important Note: If you are unable to update the Server URL entry, make sure the connection is not active. If it is, disconnect first and then update the connection properties. If you are still unable to update the entry, create a new connection instead and once confirmed that it works, delete the old jvpn.olin.edu connection entry.

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

Client Installations

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.

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.

Ubuntu

  • In Ubuntu 22.04, use a web browser to navigate to Download Link.
  • Log in using your login credentials.
  • Select the Download button.
  • 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.
 sudo apt install ./pulse-9.1R5.x86_64.deb 
 cd /opt/pulsesecure/bin 

<code> sudo ./setup_cef.sh install< /code>

  • 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 may be prompted for an untrusted certificate, if so, click on the ok button.

  * You will then 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.

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