VPN - What it is, When to use it
Submitted by admin on Fri, 2007-02-09 17:14.
When away from the Harvard campus, there are often times when one needs to be connected to the Harvard network to access certain resources or complete various tasks. Some examples are:
- Using FAS software which requires a keyserver
- Sending mail through a Harvard mail server when the ISP you are connected to is blocking outbound mail (SMTP on port 25). ISPs which do this include Comcast, CERN, Bell, Charter, Cox, and several more.
- Viewing a website which is visible only to those on the Harvard network. (Privacy issues are making this more common)
- Connecting to a machine or service which is on a private internal network.
FAS provides a system which allows you to create a sort of secure 'tunnel' into the Harvard network from whatever network you are currently on. This system uses somethign called VPN (Virtual Private Networking). For you, the end user, what's most important about VPN is that, once connected, your machine is effectively a part of the FAS network just as though you were connected here on campus. You will have a Harvard/FAS IP address.
To use FAS's VPN, you must have an FAS account and know your password (Physics Computer Services _does not and can not_ help you with this part - you must contact FAS). If you do not have an FAS account or don't know your FAS password, please contact FAS Computing Support.
To get started using VPN, all you need do is:
- Download the FAS VPN client
- Install the client on your computer.
- Run the VPN client
- Enter your username and password and connect to the FAS network.
(Note: You must your username like so: username@fas )
That's it. You are connected to the Harvard FAS network. When done, click the disconnect button.
Need Help? Further questions?
If you have issues/problems with VPN, contact FAS Computing Support (again, Physics Computer Services _cannot_ help you with VPN issues).
Students: contact them via e-mail at help@fas.harvard.edu or by phone at 617-495-9000
Faculty/Staff: contact them via e-mail at fascs@fas.harvard.edu or by phone at 617-496-2727
For more information, FAS has a document outlining their VPN services here: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/computing/kb/kb0501.html