The Rice VPN
How does the VPN work?
What is VPN 3000?
What do I need to get started?
Installation
Using Network Address Translation
Troubleshooting
What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
The VPN allows secure transportation of data between Rice University and a remote user connected to the Internet outside of Rice.
Remote users are faculty, staff, or students who are connected through:
- network laptop ports provided at conferences.
- home services like DSL or cable modem.
- an Internet Service Provider dialup facility at Rice or elsewhere.
- a port on the network of another university or national lab.
Faculty, staff, or students who access the Internet from a campus computer or a computer in the Graduate Apartments at 1515 Bissonnet are not considered remote users.
Generally, computers connected by one of the above means will not need to use the VPN. However, certain sensitive business applications may require use of the VPN to improve security.
What is the purpose of the VPN?
The VPN was implemented to help protect Rice University's computers and the data they contain from Internet attackers who attempt to gain unauthorized access to Rice's computers while still allowing access by legitimate remote users.
Malicious individuals may destroy data, disrupt operations of Rice's computers, or attempt to use Rice's computers to launch similar attacks against other computers attached to the Internet. Dealing with intrusions into our computers requires restoring damaged data and systems and diverts resources from useful purposes. Further, the use of Rice's computers to damage another business' computers or business operations may subject Rice to legal action that could have significant costs in terms of money and lost personnel time. The security provided by the VPN helps prevent such problems.
VPN 3000
Information Technology (IT) began implementing the new VPN 3000 in spring 2004. Eventually, the VPN 5000 will be returned to Cisco. Information for the VPN 3000 is published on the web as it becomes available. The most popular documents include:
