How can I access the UH Virtual Private Network (VPN) with a 32/64-bit edition of Windows?

This procedure presupposes that you already have configured a network connection to the Internet (the "Public network"). If not, you should do this first

The UHVPN Cisco client comes with both 32 and 64 bit VPN clients for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and should be used for reliable connections to the UH networks. The UHVPN clients do not support Windows 8 at this time.

You can also use the built in VPN clients in Windows if needed or preferred.

  1. Logon to Windows using an account with administrative rights.
    [NOTE: If this account does not have a password, then stop! Unless and until every user account on the computer is protected by a "good" (i.e., strong) password, you do not want your computer connected to the University LAN. It could be compromised within minutes, if not seconds.]
  2. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then open the Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click on "Set up a connection or network" menu item listed under "Tasks." This should open a window titled "Choose a connection option."
  4. Click on the entry "Connect to a workplace." If you have not previously defined a VPN connection, this will show a window titled "How do you want to connect?"
  5. Click on "Use my Internet connection (VPN)." (Remember: You should have configured your Internet connection already.) This opens a window titled "Type the Internet address to connect to."
  6. For the "Internet address:" field, enter 129.7.254.233 or 129.7.254.232 depending on the load to the servers. If one address does not work, try using the other.
    For the "Destination name" field, enter UH VPN Connection
    If this is a computer that will only be used by you and persons you trust, you may wish to check the box to "Allow other people to use this connection."
    Finally, click "Next."
  7. The next window is titled "Type your user name and password." This will be your CougarNet user name and password.
    For the "User name:" field, enter your CougarNet user name.
    For the "Password:" field, enter your CougarNet password.
    For the "Domain" field, enter cougarnet
    [NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you do not check the "Remember this password" box, because when your CougarNet password expires and must be changed, this saved password will no longer be correct, and the next time that the VPN connection is attempted, it will fail repeatedly and rapidly with an incorrect password, resulting in your account being locked out.]
    Finally, click "Connect."
  8. If everything works as it should, after a few moments during which the VPN connection is being established, you will see a window titled "You are connected."
    You can then click "Close." Your VPN connection has been established.
  9. The next time you want to start the VPN connection, you can click on Start, Settings, and Network Connections. The "UH VPN Connection" icon should be there. Right click on the icon, and select "Connect" from the drop-down menu. Enter your CougarNet password and click "Connect."

Additional Configuration 

If the

Created: Nov 14, 2008 - 9:12am Updated: Oct 20, 2014 - 6:59am Author: Web Technologies Article: 2155
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