Remote Access via VPN (Virtual Private Networking)

In general, GSD owned software and other resources are for use only within the school (Gund Hall, 7 Sumner Road, or 1033 Mass Ave), and GSD students are expected to bring a personal computer to school to use these resources.

In some special cases, especially when no physical location for your computer can be provided, you will be able to use VPN ("Virtual Private Network") software to enable some limited access to GSD software from remote locations. The idea behind VPN is that your machine will look to the GSD network like it is inside the building, no matter where in the world it may be.

At present VPN access is offered to full time students, staff, and faculty. All accounts are personal and private, for GSD academic use only. As with your computer account, this resource cannot be shared or given out to others, and all other rules of civil network access apply (see Policies).

You must have an Internet connection for the VPN to work (modem, cable modem, or other type). Other technical limitations apply, as documented below. Please note that VPN access is not required to remotely access home accounts and terra's temp volumes via SFTP.

Eligibility
VPN Documentation from University Information Systems
Computer Hardware Requirements
Setup Instructions
Help and Troubleshooting
Software

Eligibility

Staff and Faculty

The VPN software is available to GSD staff and faculty as requested. Need is determined by the Director of Computer Resources.

Students

Any full time GSD Student may request and pay for a VPN account-per year or per semester. The costs are $7 per month

A student starting in the middle of a session will pay for the whole period and his/her account will expire at the end of the period. Students may term bill or pay by check made out to Harvard.

Special Cases

In some cases, the GSD will cover or reduce the cost of a student's VPN account. ASP staff currently determine qualifying ASP students who may enjoy subsidized VPN access. This privilege is typically only for students who do not have any dedicated desk space inside Gund Hall or 7 Sumner Road. ASP accounts are created on a per semester basis.

VPN Documentation from UIS:

This service is provided by UIS, and users should be familiar with their documentation. A general description of the service is available at:www.uis.harvard.edu/network_services/products/vpn.php

The VPN client is made by CISCO. To learn more about the actual client, you may go to: www.cisco.com/warp/public/44/solutions/network/vpn.shtml

Computer Hardware Requirements:

PC must be running Windows 2000 or XP Pro (not Home edition); or Mac OS 9.1+ or Mac OSX.
You must already have a working Internet connection via modem, cable modem, or DSL. The user pays all Internet service costs. VPN will work within Harvard housing, if you already have an Internet connection on Harvard's network.

Setup Instructions:

Request your account: Please visit the help desk in person to complete and sign a form for a VPN account.
Pay the fee: The fee must be term billed or paid by a check made payable to Harvard University.
Receive Account Information: Within 48 hours of paying, you should receive an email from UIS giving you a link to download the VPN software and a temporary password. This email will contain:
- a link to a Harvard web site where you can get more information;
- a link to a Cisco web site where you can download software and documentation;
- your initial password(s) which you will need to connect
Download and Install the software
Test your connection:

Connect to your Internet Service Provider.

Launch the VPN client.

Type in your username and password. If you get a message that says you have successfully authenticated, press OK, and you're off and running.

If you have trouble, make sure Transparent Tunneling is disabled. In the VPN client, click "Modify" and select the "Transport" tab. Uncheck "Transparent Tunneling." If you are still having trouble, contact helpdesk.

Software

The idea behind VPN is that a remote computer can act as if it is actually inside the GSD, and have all the capabilities of any other computer on the GSD network. However, in reality a computer on VPN is actually subtly different than a computer that is actually inside the building. These subtleties create a number of small problems the most frustrating of which is that while most software works, some software doesn't. We cover this in our Available Software List. Other software not listed here has not been tested yet and may or may not work. Feel free to email helpdesk to get the latest word on what does and does not work.

Arcview requires special setup steps by CRG, please contact helpdesk if you need to use this program.

Help and Troubleshooting:

You must be able to bring the computer (CPU only) into the Computer Resources Dept, for troubleshooting. Telephone support is very limited, and we do not make house calls. All questions should go through Helpdesk. We are not able to solve all problems, nor can we promise you that we can have it working for you at all times. Help will be available only during regular Computer Resources hours, preferably by appointment.