ECE Computer and Technology Services

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The ECE Department maintains its own VPN in order to secure network traffic. If you are a faculty or staff member, or member of a supported research group in ECE or Bioengineering, you may connect to the VPN. Beginning July 31, 2008, students will no longer have access to the ECE VPN; please use the CITES VPN instead. Here are the main reasons for connecting to a campus VPN:

On-Campus Resources

Because of the U of I campus firewall, many resources, such as Windows network shares, are inaccessible from off-campus. Connecting to the VPN will allow you inside the firewall. You will need to use the VPN to run Matlab from off-campus, and also to use Remote Desktop to connect to an on-campus computer. (Please note that Remote Desktop to instructional lab machines is not permitted.)

Additional Security

If you have a wireless network at home, you can use the VPN even if you are not accessing campus resources. Connecting to the VPN provides an additional layer of security for any data you send and receive over your home network.

Connecting to the VPN from a Windows XP machine

1. On your Windows XP machine, click Start > Settings > Control Panel
2. Network and Internet Connections
3. Create a connection to the internet at your workplace
4. Virtual Private Network connection
5. In the Company Name field, enter a name for your connection, i.e. ece-vpn
6. Do not dial the initial connection
7. Host name: vpn.ece.illinois.edu
8. Complete the connection according to your preferences. We recommend adding a shortcut to the desktop.
9. When connecting to the VPN server, use your NetID and Active Directory password.

Connecting to the VPN from a Windows 7 machine

1. On your Windows 7 machine, click Start > Control Panel
2. Network and Sharing Center
3. Set up a new connection or network
4. Connect to a workplace
5. If prompted, select "No, create a new connection"
6. Use my Internet connection (VPN)
7. Internet Address: vpn.ece.illinois.edu
8. Destination Name: enter a name for your connection, i.e. ece-vpn
9. Check "Don't connect now; just set it up so I can connect later"
10. Complete the connection according to your preferences.
11. To connect to the new VPN connection, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Connect to a network.
    If the Network and Sharing Center doesn't appear under the Control Panel, select Network and Internet first, and then Network and Sharing Center.
12. When connecting to the VPN server, use your NetID and Active Directory password.
13. *Hint* If you would like a shortcut to the VPN connection to appear on your desktop instead, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings (alternatively you can go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections). Right-click on your newly created VPN connection and choose Create Shortcut, answering yes to create on desktop.

Connecting to the VPN from a Mac

1. Set wireless network card to dhcp (automatically configure IP address)
2. Go to "Internet Connect Applet" from the Applications folder
3. Click "File" menu and choose the New VPN Connection
4. Type vpn.ece.illinois.edu as the server
5. When connecting to the VPN server, use your NetID and Active Directory password.

**If using any other operating system, any PPTP compliant VPN client should work.**