Connecting to the Institute's VPN

VPN Setup for Windows XP

[ Finding Network Connections ] [ Creating a new connection ] [Reconnecting to the VPN ] [ Disconnecting the VPN ]

1. Finding the network connections
   Click "Start" and then select "Control Panel":
   
   
   
    
2. In the control panel, select "Network and Internet Connections":
   
    
   
   Note:  If you are using the "Classic View", i.e. you see more icons than above, double click "Network Connections" and go straight to number 4.
   
    
3. Click "Network Connections":
   
    
   
    
4. Creating a new connection
   In the "Network Connections" control panel window, click "Create a new connection":
   
    
   
    
5. The "New Connection Wizard" will appear.  Click "Next":
   
    
   
    
6. Select the "Connect to the network at my workplace" button and click "Next":
   
    
   
    
7. Select "Virtual Private Network connection" and click "Next":
   
    
   
    
8. In the "Connection Name" dialog, enter a memorable name for the connection.  In this example I use "Mathematical Institute".  When you have entered this information, click "Next":
   
    
   
    
9. In the server selection dialog, enter vpn.maths.ox.ac.uk as the host name and click "Next":
   
    
   
    
10. If you are running as administrator, you can make this connection available to all users by selecting "Anyone's use", however in this example, we are only making the connection available to this account.  We highlight the "My use only" radio button and click "Next":
    
     
     
11. The final stage will ask if you would like a shortcut placed on the desktop.  In the example below, my desktop is already cluttered up with junk, so I do not check the "Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop" box before clicking "Finish":
    
     
     
12. Next, the connection dialog will appear.  Enter your username and Password.  Be careful that you do not press enter at the end of your username.  This is Windows.  You must use the mouse to move to the password textbox or use the Tab key.  When you are sure the username and password are OK, click the "Connect" button.
    
     
    Note:  You can optionally save the username and password although it is not recommended.
     
13. The following status dialogs appear during the connection process:
    
     
    
    
    If you get a dialog saying the computer was unable to connect, it probably means the username and/or password are incorrect.  Check them again.
    
     
14. Once connected, you will see the "Mathematical Institute" network connection is blue.  In addition there will be an icon () in the lower right of the screen indicating traffic passing over the VPN.
    
     
    
    You can now use your computer as if you were inside the Institute.
     
15. Reconnecting
    To reconnect to the VPN, simply double click the "Mathematical Institute" icon in the "Network Connections" window under "Control Panel".
    i.e. perform steps 1-3 first.
     
16. Disconnection
    Once you have finished with the connection, remember to disconnect.  To disconnect, right click the icon () in the lower right of the screen and select "Disconnect", e.g.:
    
     
     
17. Once you have disconnected, the icon () in the lower right of the screen will disappear and the "Mathematical Institute" connection will turn grey, e.g.: