VPN Access in Windows
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way of extending our internal network out to systems connected on the internet. Once connected via a VPN, a remote system appears to be connected locally to our network thereby getting all the facilities available to local users and avoiding blocks placed in intervening firewalls. All data passed via a VPN is encrypted.
A client wishing to connect to a VPN must first connect to the internet, for example by a dial-up or broadband connection to an ISP. Once communicating correctly with the internet, a VPN can be established to the VPN server running inside the department. Authentication must be provided in order to connect and this is the same username, password and domain which you supply to log into any central Windows system in the department.
IMPORTANT: Our VPN server supports a number of different protocols that a client can use. Generally, if your system allows the protocol to be selected then please set to SSTP rather than PPTP or `automatic`.Windows 7 and later have SSTP built in and this will make successful connections under most circumstances. However, Windows XP and the built in VPN clint in Apple OSX dont support this protocol and can only attempt connections with PPTP. This is more sensitive to firewall and router configurations so there is a fair risk of having some trouble. If using a router at home with firewalling enabled, please check that its configured for VPN access, specifically PPTP and the GRE protocol. Some people have had success with 3rd party VPN clients for OSX and Linux that support sstp and we will add recommendations when appropriate.
Setting up VPN in Windows 10
For Windows 10 it also assumes that the system has been set up like a standard managed Physics system.
Due to differences in the editions of windows 10 your icons and dialogue wording may differ slightly from the
examples given below.
Step 1: Click your network icon. Note that you may need to click the upward chevron to unhide the nework icon
Step 2. click on "Network Settings" or "Network & Internet settings"
Step 3. Click VPN on the left hand side of the window and then select "Add a VPN connection"
from the right hand side of the window.
Step 4. Click on the drop down menu under the "VPN Provider" and select "Windows (built-in)
The rest of the settings should be as follows:
Connection name: Physics VPN(This may be anything descriptive)
Server name or address: VPN.PHYSICS.OX.AC.UK
VPN Type: Automatic
Type of sign-in info: User name and password
User name(optional): Physics\YourUserName
Password: Your Password
Click Save
Below is an example of how your settings should look. Note that the right hand scroll bar may be invisible at
first, simply roll your mouse wheel to scroll
Step 5 Having clicked save you should be back to the previous window. Select the newly created vpn connection on the right hand side and click on connect.
At this point you are now connected to physics.
From now on when you wish to reconnect to physics VPN you may click on your network icon as per step 1 and Physics VPN should be available for you to connect to.
Please note that all of your network traffic will now flow via physics, we would request that you do not use streaming services or other bandwidth heavy services whilst connected to physics unless it is for business purposes.
Remote desktop connections should be made via our RDP gateway, a VPN connection is not required
RDP connection help: https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/it-services/remote-desktop-and-terminal-se...
Setting up VPN in Windows 7 or Vista
The following instructions assume that your system is already connected to the Internet.
Click on [Start] -> [Control Panel].
Double-click on [Network and Sharing Centre].
Click on [Set up a connection to a network].
Select [Connect to a workplace] and then click on [Next].
Click on [Use my Internet Connection (VPN)].
Enter Internet address: vpn.physics.ox.ac.uk
Enter Destination name: VPN Connection
Click on [Next] and then enter:
Username: yourphysicsnetworkusername
Password: yourpassword
Domain: physics
Click on [Connect].
The default Windows 7 VPN settings should work in normal circumstances.
Please contact IT Support if you require any additional assistance.
Categories: Network | Remote Access | VPN | Windows
