Connecting to UC Merced's VPN

Introduction

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. VPNs are necessary because some applications – often older administrative ones – are not designed to run securely across the Internet (they do not encrypt passwords or data). Additionally, some applications and electronic materials have licensing restrictions that permit access only to those with UC Merced network addresses. Both of these problems are addressed by UC Merced’s VPN facility, which encrypts all data exchanges and provides a UC Merced network address to remote users. Essentially, configuring a VPN client on your computer to connect to UC Merced’s VPN will create a tunnel between you and UC Merced to protect your data from being seen by others.

Identifying Your Operating System

Mac OS X

  1. Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of your screen.
  2. Click on "About This Mac"
  3. On the window that appears, below the Apple logo and the line that reads "Mac OS X", there will be a line starting with "Version 10."
    1. If it starts with "Version 10.4...", then you are running Mac OS X "Tiger".
    2. If it starts with "Version 10.5...", then you are running Mac OS X "Leopard".
    3. If it starts with "Version 10.6...", then you are running Mac OS X "Snow Leopard".

Windows

  1. Click on the Start button or Windows Orb button, usually in the lower left corner of the screen.
  2. Right-click on "Computer"
  3. Right-click on "Properties"
  4. On the right side of the window that appears, you will see either
    1. Windows Vista, or
    2. Windows XP
  5. For Windows XP, if you see a line of text indicating "64-bit", then you are running Windows XP 64-bit. Otherwise, you are running Windows XP 32-bit.
  6. For Windows Vista,
    1. If you see a line of text saying "64-bit Operating System" under "System type:", then you are running Windows Vista 64-bit.
    2. If you see a line of text saying "32-bit Operating System" under "System type:", then you are running Windows Vista 32-bit.

Obtaining the VPN Client

You can download the Cisco VPN Client for your operating system from here:

Installation (Windows 32-bit, 64-bit and Mac OS X only)

Windows 32-bit

  1. Run the installer.
  2. Click Unzip
  3. Click OK when it finishes.
  4. When the installer comes up click Next
  5. Click I accept the licence agreement
  6. Click Next
  7. Click Next
  8. Click Next
  9. You may encounter a window like below. You can safely click Ignore.
  10. After the installation is complete click Finish.
  11. It will ask you to restart the computer. Make sure you save all your documents and click Yes.

Windows 64-bit

Summary: This document outlines how to install, configure, and connect the Cisco AnyConnect software for users to be able to remotely connect to UC Merced’s resources while not being on campus.

Note: If you see any notice about a server certificate being untrusted or unknown, select the corresponding option to continue and proceed.

Installing Cisco AnyConnect onto your Windows 64-bit PC
  1. In your web browser, connect to https://janus.ucmerced.edu. From there, you may see a notice stating that the Security Certificate is invalid. Select the option to continue.
    1. For FireFox users, you will need to add an exception. This can be done through the popup window (FireFox 2.x) or using the link to add an exception on the bottom of the page (FireFox 3.x)
    2. For Internet Explorer 8 or higher users, simply select the option to continue onto the website
  2. The website will then present a login page. Enter your UCMNetID in the appropriate field and your corresponding password in the next text box. As for the Group, select "UCM_SSL_VPN". Once you’ve entered your UCMNetID and password, click on the Logon button.
  3. Select the "Continue" button for the notice that comes up saying that it is for the Faculty, Students, and General Staff.
  4. A new web page will open, loading a Java program that will check your system for required client files. Proceed with allowing the installer to perform the its task and accept the setup files for download and installation. Once complete, the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client will launch and allow you to connect automatically. You are enabled to access your UC Merced shared drives.

    Note: The installer will display visual instructions, if it needs you to change a setting.
Connecting to the UC Merced Network via Cisco AnyConnect for the First Time
  1. Start up the Cisco AnyConnect program found in your Start Menu. (For VISTA users: Launch the Cisco AnyConnect program found under the All Programs, Cisco folder (e.g. Start | All Programs, Cisco, Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client)
  2. Enter janus.ucmerced.edu in the text field next to "Connect to:"
  3. Enter in your UCMnetID and password, and remember to select UCM_SSL_VPN for Group. Then select Connect
  4. A banner will appear stating that the VPN Service is for Students, Faculty, and General Staff. Select Accept.
  5. Once the banner is gone, you should be connected. You will see a green logo in the lower right corner of your screen that looks like two green globes to indicate the connection was successsful. From now on, every time you start the Cisco AnyConnect program, it should automatically connect for you.
Disconnecting from the UC Merced VPN on Cisco AnyConnect
  1. Right click on the Cisco AnyConnect tray icon in the bottom right corner. Select disconnect. Or simply select Exit.

Mac OSX - Tiger & Leopard

  1. Open the dmg file.
  2. In finder you will have the Cisco VPN Client as a connected Drive. Click Cisco VPN Client.mpkg
  3. A window will drop down asking if you are sure. Click Continue.
  4. Click Continue
  5. Click Continue
  6. A window will drop down and ask if you agree with the license. Click Agree
  7. Click Install
  8. It may ask for your laptop's administrator username and password fill it in here.
  9. After the installation is finished click Close

Mac OSX - Snow Leopard

  1. Click on the Apple icon and select System Preferences.
  2. Next click on the Network icon under Internet & Wireless
  3. Next click on the + on the bottom left hand corner to add a new Interface connection
  4. A window will open asking to Select the Interface and enter a name for the service.
    1. Click on the Interface drop down box and select VPN.
    2. For VPN type, click on the drop down arrow and select Cisco IPSec.
    3. For Service Name type in UCMerced VPN Connection and then click on Create. It should look like this.
  5. After clicking on Create, it should take you back to the Nework window pane.
    1. In the Server Address field, enter in: janus.ucmerced.edu
    2. In the Account Name field, enter in your UCMNetID
    3. In the Password field, enter in your UCMNetID password
  6. Next click on Authentication Settings.
    1. Under Machine Authentication make sure that Shared Secret is selected.
    2. In the Shared Secret field, enter in the VPN group password which would be: ucmstaff
    3. Tab down to Group Name, and enter in: ucm_staff and click on OK.
  7. The VPN interface connection has been created and configured, next click on the Connect button.
  8. If you receive a prompt to apply the changes, click on Apply.
  9. A VPN Connection window will pop up asking for a password. Enter in your UCMNetID password and click on OK.
  10. Congratulations, you have successfully connected to the UCMerced network through VPN. Click on OK to continue.

Configuring the Client

Although the screen may look a little bit different between operating systems the steps to configuring the client remains the same.

  1. Launch the Cisco VPN Client
  2. Click on New.
  3. In the "Connection Entry:" box enter UC Merced
  4. In the "Description:" box enter UC Merced VPN
  5. In the "Host:" box enter janus.ucmerced.edu
  6. In the "Name:" box enter ucm_staff
  7. In the "Password:" box enter ucmstaff
  8. In the "Confirm Password:" box enter ucmstaff
  9. If you do not use a dial-up internet connection then skip to step 13.
  10. Click the Dial-Up tab
  11. Check Connect to Internet via dial-up
  12. In the "Phonebook Entry:" box find your connection. If you cannot find your connection there check the radio box that says Third party dial-up application and choose your applications. If you are not sure how you connect to the internet please contact your internet service provider to find out.
  13. Click Save

You should now see your connection in the list of connections.

Connecting Using VPN

  1. Select the VPN Connection
  2. Click Connect
  3. In the "Username:" box enter your UCM NetID
  4. In the "Password:" box enter your password
  5. Click OK
  6. When you have connected you will see the window below. Click on Continue.

You are now connected to the UC Merced network.

Disconnecting

Right-click on the lock icon in the task tray and choose disconnect.


Looking for help?

We offer a number of tutorials and FAQs available in the Guides & FAQs section.

If you have any questions, problems, or comments, please contact the IT Help Desk via email at helpdesk@ucmerced.edu, via phone at 209.228.HELP (4357), or visit them in the Classroom and Office Building room 132A.