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Using WMU's VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Use of a VPN permits secure encrypted connections to Western Michigan University's network. Users who connect remotely to University systems that contain confidential/restricted data are required by University policy to use the campus VPN portal to maintain security of the University's data. To access the WMU VPN portal, click the appropriate link below. If you wish to bookmark the link, right-mouse-click the link as shown below and then select your browser option to add it to your bookmarks. If you save the bookmark after you have clicked the link and gone to the site, it will store an invalid link.

• vpn.wmich.edu/sis
  Access, on or off-campus for self-service and/or Internet native Banner users
  
  
• vpn.wmich.edu
  Off-campus access for all other users
  
  
• internal.vpn.wmich.edu
  Wireless (on-campus) access for all other users
  
  
• Configuration and other notes
  Settings and error messages you may encounter
  
  
• Creating, editing and deleting VPN bookmarks
  Add your own bookmarks to your VPN page
  
  
• Juniper Secure Access Supported Platforms (.pdf)
  
  Note: System administrators setting up computers for non-privileged users to be able to use the WMU VPN portal should login to GoWMU and download the VPN installer from the VPN channel.

To use the VPN

1. Click the appropriate link above. Login using your Bronco NetID and password.
   
   
   
   
2. If you are using the VPN to remotely connect to a system that contains confidential/restricted data, or to connect to your work desktop, click Start in the Network Connect box. Otherwise, simply select one of the other links shown.
   
   
   
   
3. The first time you select the Network Connect link, Network Connect will install on your computer and you will see a Please wait... screen.
   
   
   
   
4. Depending upon which OS you are running, you may receive the below notices, or variations of them. Respond as indicated in red.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Once the Network Connect client has been installed you are ready to work.
   
   
6. If you see this error, it is an indication that you failed to logout from a previous connection. Click Continue the session.
   
   
   
   
7. Depending upon your OS, you may receive the below message when you login. It is okay to click Allow

Configuration and other notes

• External WMU network VPN and local WMU wireless VPN connection settings
  • Maximum idle time: 60 minutes (requires authentication to reset time)
  • Maximum session time: 8 hours (requires authentication to reset time)
    
    
• SIS VPN
  • Maximum idle time: 15 minutes (requires authentication to reset time)
  • Maximum session time: 4 hours (requires authentication to reset time)
    
    
• Pop-ups for vpn.wmich.edu and internal.vpn.wmich.edu must be enabled
  
  
• If you do not get a Network Connect selection once you have logged in, you may have gone to vpn.wmich.edu rather than internal.vpn.wmich.edu or you may be trying to sign in from a wired connection using a 141.218.x.x IP address.

Creating your own VPN bookmarks

You may add as many bookmarks into your secure access VPN Web Bookmarks area as you'd like. You may do so by:

1. After you have logged in, click the "+" sign in the upper right corner of the Web Bookmarks area.
   
   
2. Fill in the Add Web Bookmark form and click Add Bookmark.
   
   
   
   
3. Your new bookmark will now display when you login to the VPN.
   
   or
   
   
4. Enter a URL in the address box on the tool bar and then click Browse
   
   
   
   
5. Click the Bookmark this page icon.
   
   
   
   
6. Fill out the Add Web Bookmark form and click Add Bookmark.

 

Editing your VPN bookmarks

To edit a bookmark you have created, scroll down to that book and click the Item Properties icon.

Fill out the Edit Web Bookmark form and click Save Changes when you are finished.

 

Deleting your VPN bookmarks

To delete a bookmark you have created, simply scroll down to that bookmark and click the trashcan icon.