Duke AnyConnect VPN Client

This section describes the benefits, installation and use of the Duke Virtual Private Network client. We strongly recommend installation on personal laptop computers as a way to access and use your network home directory.

What Does the VPN Client Provide?

• It gives your PC a Duke IP number while connected, which allows you to remotely use services from anywhere as if you were at Duke.

• It provides a secure, encrypted tunnel into the Duke network, which protects the privacy and security of your network traffic over public networks (such as WiFi hotspots).

• For more information see: http://www.oit.duke.edu/net-security/network/remote/vpn/

What are the Specific Requirements for Sociology Users?

• The VPN is NOT required for ...

• PCs using wired connections in the Sociology/Psychology Building, the Markets & Management Office and the Social Science Research Institute.

• SSH connections to Sociology Linux compute servers, if connecting with a Mac or Linux computer.
• graphical SSH connections to Sociology Linux compute servers from off-campus Windows PCs. [The latest 2011 version of X-Win32 installs with a node-locked license that works from any location.]

• The VPN IS required for ...

• mapping your network home directory to any wireless laptop on or off campus.

• mapping your network home directory to home desktop computers.

How Do You Install the VPN?

Some users are running an earlier version of the VPN client. We recommend that you upgrade to the AnyConnect product for performance and features.

• Open a web connection to https://portal.duke.edu

• Authenticate with your Duke NetID.

  • NOTE: If authentication fails, your NetID does not have Active Directory credentials, which are required to install the VPN. AD credentials can be acquired by changing your NetID password at Online@Duke.

• A piece of software downloads and analyzes your computer hardware and operating system, then installs the appropriate thin-client. It will upgrade earlier versions of the VPN client if present.

  • NOTE: If the installation fails at the Java Detection stage, you are missing the Java runtime environment and must install JRE from the Oracle Java download pages.

• The client installs as an application on your PC. For example, on a Windows PC it can be accessed via:

  • Start > Cisco > Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client

See the following OIT knowledge base articles for additional information on VPN client installation:

• Knowledge Base Article 4513 - most appropriate for Windows and Mac users

• Knowledge Base Article 4541 - contains information for Linux users not found in the first document

How Do You Use the VPN Client?

• Launch the VPN from the Start menu or otherwise place a shortcut in a location that suits you.

• Connecting in this fashion takes you through the web portal. For Group select the -Default- option. Enter your NetID and password for authentication and click Connect.

  • 
    

  • 

  • 
    

• The VPN connects and an AnyConnect icon is added to your taskbar.

  • An unused connection will time out after 30 minutes.

  • You may connect or disconnect at any point by clicking on the AnyConnect icon.

  • After a period of 8 hours of inactivity, the AnyConnect VPN client will close and the icon disappears from your taskbar.

How Does Using the VPN Client Affect Other Network Activity?

• When the VPN is connected or disconnected your IP changes and this will affect existing email and ssh connections.

• If you have an email client open before connecting the VPN, that session will be interrupted [this includes WebMail].

• If you have an active SSH session into a Sociology compute server, that session will be disconnected.
• So, when you plan to map your network drive, it is best to sandwich VPN use around other activity requiring network activity to avoid broken connections.

• The rule of thumb becomes: connect VPN, map network drive, do your work, close out applications, disconnect VPN