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Why would I use a VPN? What
will it do for me?
A VPN will allow you to connect to UTMB using a service such as a
cable modem or DSL connection in a secure way. This is done by creating
an encrypted connection between your PC and a server inside the UTMB
network. It will allow you secure access to your email, file server
files, and web pages connected inside the UTMB network. It will allow
limited “browsing” of the network to find systems. If your Home PC or
laptop is a “member” of the UTMB-USERS-M domain, you can browse through
“Network Neighborhood” or through a direct computer search. If your Home
PC or laptop is not a “member” of the UTMB-USERS-M domain, you can
browse through a direct computer search only. Additionally, during the
time you are connected it will provide your PC with a UTMB IP number
(address). This will provide additional access to applications and
services which require access only from a UTMB address.
How does the VPN impact my home network?
In order to assure a secure connection the VPN will not allow a
computer to share files, printers, or connection with another network
such as America On Line, at the same time it is connected to UTMB. The
VPN operates in a mode similar to a modem connection using your home
Internet connection with the ability to connect and disconnect. The
sharing functions are only disabled while the PC is “connected” to
UTMB. Additionally if your PC used the “bridge” function the VPN will
not operate correctly.
Does the VPN make my connection as fast as my
UTMB office PC?
No, the VPN will operate at the speed of the connection your PC is
running at home. You may see a slight improvement due to added data
compression. However, the connection speed is unchanged.
Does the VPN make my home PC act like my
office PC?
Possibly. The VPN provides the capability to map drives, access
files, and run applications; however, if these applications are not
installed or drives are not already mapped, this will not change just
because the VPN is installed.
Do I have to run virus protection software on
my PC to use the VPN?
Not at this time. Although we strongly suggest you always run a
virus protection program on your PC. UTMB provides CA Etrust virus
protection software and updates to faculty, staff, and students. In the
future our goal will be to insure there is a virus protection program
running on any home computer in order to allow a VPN connection. This
will assist us in protecting the UTMB environment from infection.
How much time will it take for me to install
the software and get started?
The install is automatic when logging into
http://MyVpn.utmb.edu and selecting the Network Connect client.
This should not take more than 60 seconds.
If I have problems with the VPN can I remove
it from my PC?
Yes. You can uninstall the Network Connect client
by going to START/PROGRAMS/JUNIPER NETWORKS/NETWORK CONNECT and click on
UNINSTALL NETWORK CONNECT Client. However the next time you connect to
http://MyVpn.utmb.edu and click on the Network Connect client, it will
be reinstalled automatically.
Can my PC run the same login script which runs
in my office to map my drives?
No. You will need to run this login
script – click here:
http://www.utmb.edu/is/operations/VPN/VPNLogin.exe
Can I map drives without a login script?
Yes, the VPN supports mapping drives using either the server name or
IP numbers.
I cannot connect to UTMB services but I
installed the VPN. What is wrong?
Nothing is wrong. If you are not “connected” using the VPN, the
“default policy” is designed to stop access to UTMB. This is done to
require a secure connection to UTMB network resources. You should
double click the VPN icon and select “connect”. You should now be able
to reach the services on the campus.
How do I know if I have a secure connection?
Access to internal UTMB systems is only available through the VPN
which is encrypted by default. If you are accessing an internal UTMB
system, then your connection is both secure and encrypted.
I use AOL or connect to another non-UTMB
network and it will not start while the VPN is connected. What is
wrong?
Nothing is wrong. In order to assure a secure connection the VPN
will not allow a computer to share files, printers, or connection with
another network, such as America On Line, at the same time it is
connected to UTMB. The VPN operates in a mode similar to a modem
connection using your home Internet connection with the ability to
connect and disconnect. The sharing functions are only disabled while
the PC is “connected” to UTMB. To connect to another network or resume
resource sharing double click on the icon and select “Disconnect.”
Why do I have to logon to each UTMB resource
(server, email, etc.) individually?
This is a normal function of the MS authentication process. Unless
your machine is a member of the domain it is normal to have to logon to
each server and/or email.
What hardware and software are needed to run
the VPN?
Supported platforms:
Windows XP:
Internet Explorer 6.0
Windows 2000:
Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 and Internet Explorer 6.0
Windows XP SP2*:
Firefox 1.0
Windows 2000:
Firefox 1.0
Mac
OS X 10.4: Safari 2.0 running Sun JVM 1.4.2_07
Mac
OS X 10.3.x: Safari 1.1 and above, running Sun JVM 1.4.2_04
Mac OS X 10.2.8:
Safari 1.0 and 1.1, running above Sun JVM 1.4.1_04
Red Hat Linux 9.0
on x86 platforms: Firefox 1.0, running Sun JVM 1.4.2_04
Red Hat Linux 9.0
on x86 platforms: Firefox 1.0 running Sun JVM 1.4.2_04
Suse Linux 9.3 on
x86 platforms: Firefox 1.0 running Sun JVM 1.4..2_04
Is there a way to place a shortcut icon on my
desktop to make the program easier to use?
You should always log in through
http://MyVpn.utmb.edu to access the VPN services.
My home computer or laptop is a member of the
UTMB-USERS-M domain. Are there any special procedures for these
systems?
Not at this time.
Is there a timeout value for the VPN
connection?
Yes, l;ike a modem connection there is a 30 minute inactivity timer
and a 4 hour session limit that will disconnect you from the VPN.
Unlike the modem pool, the VPN client will disconnect you and make
re-authenticate in order to reconnect.
I received a warning after I disconnected from
the VPN server that there was a possible data loss due to a delayed
write. What should I do?
In some cases the Windows operating systems do not write data
immediately. As a result, if you immediately disconnect your VPN after
exiting a program such as Exchange, which gives you an option of writing
a file to a server mailbox (pst file), it may not finish writing before
the data is completely saved. In order to avoid this, it is recommended
that after you close the Exchange program you wait 5 minutes before
disconnecting the VPN client. This will not happen if you only use
Exchange server files. It is related to additional post office files
usually stored on servers other than the Exchange server.
How do I MAP my network drive letters?
Windows 2000/XP
- Right click on my
network places and select “Map Network Drive”
- Chose a drive letter
- Put in the path to
the share you are trying to Map.
\\Server\Share;
Example
\\utmbf5\jdoe$ or
\\utmbf2\files.
- Make sure the
“Reconnect at Logon” box is checked.
- Under the “Reconnect
at Logon” check box, there is a sentence that says “Connect using a
different user name”. Click on the portion that is underlined
different user name.
- A “Connect As”
window appears. In the User name field, put in your credentials like
this:
Utmb-users-m\username
( username is your UTMB user name you use to sign on at UTMB )
In the password field, put in your UTMB password. Select OK => Select
Finish.
Your drive mapping should establish.
- Your VPN connection
must be established for these drive mappings to work.
- After you log off
and log on to your machine, an error message will pop up saying the
workstation cannot reconnect to the drive mapping. Just select OK.
You’ll get a pop-up for each VPN drive mapping you created. Select OK
for each one. After your desktop logon is complete, connect to VPN and
try to access any of your drive mappings. You will be prompted to put
in your UTMB password. Put in your UTMB password and the drive mapping
will reconnect.
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