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Computing Services

Virtual Private Networking

A virtual private network (VPN) connection allows off-campus computer users to access campus-only services (such as accessing shared network drives or remote desktops from home). UALR provides access to the VPN service only to current employees of the University.

You may download a PDF file of the complete instructions or use the section navigation.

Automatic setup (Windows-only)

Microsoft Windows users may download a program to setup a UALR VPN connection automatically. Please download the correct version for your operating system.

General settings

These settings apply to all VPN connections.

Hostnamevpn.ualr.edu
Username/PasswordUse your UALR NetID and password
Shared KeyUALRHasData4U2Use (case-sensitive)

Instructions

Here are instructions to set up and use the UALR VPN service in different operating systems.

Apple Mac OS X

Follow these instructions to set up the VPN client and then use the connection on the Apple Mac OS X operating system.

Setting up the connection
  1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
    The System Preferences window will appear.
  2. Select Network in the Internet & Network Section.
    The Network sub-window will appear.
  3. Click on the plus button to create a new connection.
    A dialog will appear listing Interface, VPN Type, and Service Name.
    • The Interface should be “VPN”.
    • The VPN Type should be “L2TP over IPSec”.
    • The Service Name can be “UALR VPN” for descriptive purposes.
  4. Click the Create button.
    The new connection will appear in the left column and the connection options should .
    • Enter “vpn.ualr.edu” in the Server Address field.
    • Enter your UALR NetID in the Account Name field.
  5. Click the Authentication Settings… button.
    A dialog will appear with User Authentication and Machine Authentication sections.
    • Enter your UALR NetID password in the Password field.
    • Enter the shared key “UALRHasData4U2Use” in the Shared Secret field. The shared key is case-sensitive.
  6. Click the OK button.
  7. Check the box labeled Show VPN status in menu bar.
    This option causes a VPN icon to appear in the menu bar in the upper-right part of the desktop.
  8. Click the Apply button to save all settings.

The VPN is now configured. You can close this window, and any other open windows, to return to the desktop.

Using the connection

These instructions assume you have a working Internet connection.

  1. To start a VPN connection, select Connect UALR VPN (L2TP) from the VPN drop-down menu in the upper-right part of the desktop.
    The text “Connecting…” will appear next to the VPN icon.
    The text “Authenticating…” will appear next to the VPN icon. If you are instead prompted for a password, enter it and click the OK button. Then the “Authenticating…” text will appear.
    Upon successful connection, a timer will appear next to the VPN icon monitoring the length of your current connection.
  2. To end a VPN connection, select Disconnect UALR VPN (L2TP) from the VPN drop-down menu in the upper-right part of the desktop.
    The connection timer will disappear and you will no longer be connected to the campus network.

While you are connected to the UALR VPN service, you may access campus-only services such as shared drives and remote desktops.

Microsoft Windows Vista

Follow these instructions to set up the VPN client and then use the connection on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

Setting up the connection
  1. Access the Network and Sharing Center control panel (use the Start menu to access the Control Panel menu).
    The Network and Sharing Center window will appear.
  2. Select “Set up a connection or network” in the left-hand Tasks list.
    The Set up a connection wizard will appear.
  3. Select “Connect to a workplace” and click the Next button.
  4. Click the “Use my Internet connection (VPN)” button.
  5. Type the Internet address to connect to:
    • Enter “vpn.ualr.edu” in the Internet address field.
    • Enter “UALR VPN” in the Destination name field.
    • Select the “Don't connect now, just set it up so I can connect later” checkbox.
  6. Click the Next button.
  7. Type your user name and password:
    • Enter your UALR NetID in the User name field.
    • Enter your UALR NetID password in the Password field.
  8. Click the Close button.
    The Set up a connection wizard will disappear, returning you to the Network and Sharing Center window.
  9. Click the Close button.
    The Set up a connection wizard will disappear, returning you to the Network and Sharing Center window.
  10. Select “Manage network connections” in the left-hand Tasks list.
    The Network Connections window will appear.
  11. Select the UALR VPN icon and click the Change settings of this connection button in the task bar above the icon.
    Alternatively, you can select the UALR VPN icon and select the Properties options from the File menu. The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  12. Select the Networking tab.
    • Select “L2TP IPSec VPN” from the Type of VPN drop-down menu.
  13. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” in the This connection uses the following items list and click the Properties button.
    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window will appear.
  14. Click the Advanced… button.
    The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window will appear.
  15. Uncheck the Use default gateway on remote network checkbox on the IP Settings tab and click the OK button.
    The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window will disappear.
  16. Click the IPsec Settings button.
    The IPsec Settings window will appear.
  17. Enter the shared key “UALRHasData4U2Use” in the Key field under “Use pre-shared key for authentication”.
    The shared key is case-sensitive.
  18. Click the OK button.
  19. Select the Security tab.
  20. Select the Advanced (custom settings) option and click the Settings… button.
    The Advanced Security Settings window will appear.
  21. Check the Unencrypted password (PAP) checkbox. Uncheck all the other checkboxes (if checked) and click the OK button.
  22. Click the OK button the remaining window.
    It is recommended that you create a shortcut to the UALR VPN icon on your desktop.

The VPN is now configured. You can close this window, and any other open windows, to return to the desktop.

Using the connection

These instructions assume you have a working Internet connection.

  1. If you created a desktop shortcut, double-click the UALR VPN icon on your desktop.
    If you did not create a shortcut, return to the Network and Sharing Center and double-click the UALR VPN icon there. The Connect UALR VPN window will appear.
    • Enter your UALR NetID in the User name field.
    • Enter your UALR NetID password in the Password field.
  2. Click the Connect button.
    The VPN client will attempt to make the connection, verify the username and password, and register your computer on the UALR campus network.

While you are connected to the UALR VPN service, you may access campus-only services such as shared drives and remote desktops.

Microsoft Windows XP

Follow these instructions to set up the VPN client and then use the connection on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

Setting up the connection
  1. Access the Network Connections control panel (use the Start menu to access the Control Panel window in Classic View mode).
  2. Select “Create a new connection” under Network Tasks in the left column.
    The New Connection Wizard window will appear.
  3. Click the Next button.
  4. Select “Connect to the network at my workplace” and click the Next button.
  5. Select “Virtual Private Network connection” and click the Next button.
  6. Enter “UALR VPN” in the Company Name field for descriptive purposes and click the Next button.
  7. Select “Do not dial the initial connection” (unless you do not have a broadband Internet connection) and click the Next button.
    If you are using a dial-up connection, select “Automatically dial the initial connection” and choose which dial-up connection to use from the drop-down menu.
  8. Enter “vpn.ualr.edu” in the Host name or IP address field and click the Next button.
  9. Select the “My use only” option underneath Create the connection for: and click the Next button.
    Selecting “My use only” prevents other users on your computer from using this VPN connection.
  10. Check the box labeled Add a shortcut to the connection to my desktop and click the Finish button.
    The Connect UALR VPN window will appear. Before connecting, you need to set certain properties for the connection.
  11. Click the Properties button.
    The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  12. Click the Properties button.
    The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  13. Select the Networking tab.
    The UALR VPN Properties window will appear.
  14. Select “L2TP IPSec VPN” from the Type of VPN drop-down list.
  15. Higlight “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” in the The connection uses the following items section and click the Properties button.
    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window will appear.
  16. Click the Advanced… button.
    The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window will appear.
  17. Uncheck the Use default gateway on remote network checkbox on the General tab and click the OK button.
  18. Select the Security tab and click the IPsec Settings button.
    The IPsec Settings window will appear.
  19. Check the Use pre-shared key for authentication checkbox and enter the shared key “UALRHasData4U2Use” in the Key field.
    The shared key is case-sensitive.
  20. Click the OK button.
  21. Select the Advanced (custom settings) option and click the Settings… button.
    The Advanced Security Settings window will appear.
  22. Check the Unencrypted password (PAP) checkbox. Uncheck all the other checkboxes (if checked) and click the OK button.
  23. Click the OK button the remaining window.
    It is recommended that you create a shortcut to the UALR VPN icon on your desktop.
Using the connection

These instructions assume you have a working Internet connection.

  1. If you created a desktop shortcut, double-click the UALR VPN icon on your desktop.
    If you did not create a shortcut, return to the Network and Sharing Center and double-click the UALR VPN icon there. The Connect UALR VPN window will appear.
    • Enter your UALR NetID in the User name field.
    • Enter your UALR NetID password in the Password field.
  2. Click the Connect button.
    The VPN client will attempt to make the connection, verify the username and password, and register your computer on the UALR campus network.

While you are connected to the UALR VPN service, you may access campus-only services such as shared drives and remote desktops.