How to Use VPN
This page describes how to access UCSF-restricted data with Virtual Private Network (VPN). Before using VPN, get it, if you haven't already: Get VPN (for students) or Get VPN (for faculty and staff).
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Start VPN:
Double-click the VPN icon on your desktop:
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Log in to VPN:
VPN prompts you for a user name and password:
Students: Log in using your SAA user ID and PIN.
Faculty and Staff: Use the login and password assigned to you when you signed up for an account.
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Save changes:
Select Yes to save changes. This saves your user name but not your password (which cannot be saved).
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Permit VPN through your firewall:
If this is your first time starting VPN, and if you have a software firewall installed on your computer, you might see a security alert asking you to Keep Blocking or Unblock an application from connecting. These choices might also be given as Allow or Deny or Grant Access or Block Access. (See examples below.)
Depending on your computer's configuration, these security alerts might not appear for you. If they don't, skip below to If you're not able to connect....
- Confirm that the application in question is called Contivity VPN Client or Extranet.exe or Extranet_serv.exe.
- If a "Remember this setting" or "Always use this action" checkbox exists, select it.
- Select Unblock or Allow or Grant Access or Permit to permit VPN to connect.
Some examples:
See Resolve Problems with VPN.
If you're able to connect...
A security banner notice appears. Select the OK button.
The security banner window disappears and the login window disappears. The VPN icon appears in your system tray to indicate that it is running and that you are successfully logged in.
The icon might change colors now and then to indicate network traffic. This behavior is normal and can be ignored.
Access UCSF-restricted data
You should now be able to access the UCSF-restricted data which requires VPN. Or, you can also test VPN to confirm it is working properly.
Do you have a home network?
Since VPN changes the IP address of your computer so that it appears to be part of the campus network, using it prevents you from using any home network resources, such as a shared hard drive or shared printer. To access your home network resources again, simply stop using VPN.
After accessing UCSF-restricted data
VPN remains active until you stop using VPN. You can tell it is still running by the presence of the VPN icon in your system tray.
Problems?
See Resolve Problems with VPN.
Go To: Virtual Private Network (VPN)
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