Introduction to Virtual Private Networking (VPN 3000)

Note: These instructions are for connecting to the new VPN 3000 server.

On this page:	Related pages:
Introduction to Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Who should use the VPN system Download and install a VPN client More Documentation From Rice Other documentation Contacts Acknowledgements	Installation and use: Cisco client installation VPN FAQ Theory, design, and background: VPN for wired users VPN Network diagram Overview of VPN security

VPN

The VPN configuration at Rice University is open to any Rice student, staff, or faculty member who wishes to participate. In order to participate, simply follow the instructions given here.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is designed to give users the privacy of a separate network over public lines by substituting encryption and other security measures for the physically separated network lines of traditional private networks. Hardware and/or software that encrypts and decrypts transmissions sent over already-installed network cabling is usually a much less expensive proposition than installing new network cable for the purpose of keeping information private.

Who should use the VPN 3000 system

Remote access wired users: If you use a third-party ISP (such as a cable modem provider) to connect to the Rice network, the VPN system is the only way for you to use your third-party ISP and still have a Rice-based IP address to provide access to systems which require Rice IPs. For more details, see "VPN for remote access wired users." Note: Dell docking stations are experiencing problems with the VPN 3000; Dell ethernet connections have not experienced the same issues.

Download and Install VPN 3000

VPN 3000 download information is only available to Rice VPN 3000 account holders, but the principles are the same for any system. You acquire the appropriate client software, install it on your system, and configure it to connect to the Rice VPN 3000 server. (See the Rice IT Glossary for acronym and term definitions.) Once the software is installed and configured, you use your Network ID and password to connect to the system.

Current Rice faculty, staff, and students may apply for a VPN 3000 account at apply.rice.edu. See the step-by-step application and installation instructions for:

• Windows 2000 or XP
• Macintosh OS X
  • Netlock for Macintosh pre-OS X
• Linux

More Documentation

From Rice:

VPN FAQ and Troubleshooting: If you're having trouble connecting to the VPN server, here are some common questions, answers, and procedures. Troubleshooting for VPN 3000

VPN networking diagram: If you want to know more about how the Rice VPN system is configured, here is a network diagram with IP addresses, the VPN server, and the effect the VPN system has on other machines' perceptions of your system. http://www.rice.edu/IT/network/remote_access/vpn/how.html

Other documentation:

Cisco VPN client documentation:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/vpn/client/index.htm

Netlock VPN client documentation:
Netlock's documentation for their VPN client is located in a secured area of their web site. You can download their documentation after you provide your contact information and obtain the software.

General VPN information:
http://www.vpnlabs.com/vpn-categories/FAQs/12/index.html - a page collecting several VPN and networking security FAQs

Contacts

If you have questions or problems related to the VPN 3000 system that are not resolved by the FAQ and Troubleshooting page, contact the Help Desk

Acknowledgements

Page content courtesy of CITES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, April 14, 2004.