Network Status: OK 07/05/2008 04:22:49 AM

Many global corporations have private networks to provide their employees remote access to secure company data and resources. Virtual private networking (VPN) is a method of securing data sent across the Internet, creating the functionality of a private network without the need for a new infrastructure.

At NC State, more and more campus network services are being restricted from off campus access via the public Internet. This is not only done to protect our network resources but to also reduce unwanted commercial e-mails ("spam"). To allow NC State faculty and staff off-campus access to the university's resources as if they were sitting at their desks on campus. ComTech has invested in a product to create an NC State VPN.

To access secure campus resources by means of the VPN service, VPN client software must be installed on the off-campus computer. The client software acts like many other programs installed on a computer. It must be opened/launched to run the program. When opened, the VPN client requires a username and password to verify the user's identity. Once the user's identity has been verified, the program connects the machine to the NC State network. The VPN client makes the computer look like it is campus network, and it allows access to restricted services. The VPN client software is provided for download free of charge. The university's Computer Use Regulations apply to VPN.

VPN access will be available to all NC State faculty and staff who agree to comply with the NC State VPN Agreement. Those requesting a VPN account will be asked to accept the VPN Agreement before going to the instructions page and/or downloading the appropriate client for their operating system.

In order to access the NC State VPN, read the VPN Agreement and accept the terms to have the account activated. Do this by logging into the VPN @ NC State Site. Please send questions to support@ncstate.net