Setting Up Your Windows Notebook to Use the Wireless Network
The UMass Dartmouth Wireless Network is a secure network that connects to the Internet through a VPN server. This document addresses questions about VPN technology, and how to set up your Windows notebook to use it.What Is VPN And Why Do I Need It?
The acronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. VPN software provides secure connections for normally non-secure methods of Internet communication. Two popular communication protocols that are not secure are HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), used for sending and receiving information from web sites, and Telnet, used for communicating with a host computer such as the Alpha mainframe. When a connection is not secure, a hacker with special 'listening' software could potentially capture personal information as it is sent across the Internet. This poses a security risk, which the VPN software addresses.
How Does The VPN Software Work?
The VPN client software installed on a workstation makes a special connection with a VPN server. All network communication is encrypted, then filtered through the VPN server, making it virtually impossible for hackers to obtain sensitive information in-transit.
The links below connect to Adobe Acrobat documents that provide detailed instruction on setting up the VPN connection. Please follow the instructions indicated for your Windows operating system.
A VPN connection is required to use the wireless network on campus, and to access People Soft applications (including SA Full Service, Finance and HR) from off-campus locations.
Installing and Configuring VPN for Windows
Windows 98/ME can be used with the UMass Dartmouth wireless network, but they are no longer recommended or supported. The document linked below can be used as a guide for Windows 98/ME VPN Setup.
If you have questions about any of the set up procedures, or cannot complete them successfully on your own, contact Access Management at x8532 or email cit_am@umassd.edu for help.
