eiu vpn software

Instructions on Using VPN Software
(For Off-Campus EIU Login)

Around the beginning of June 2006 EIU made security changes to how one can access their internet functions from off campus. For example, using FTP to access EIU's system from off campus (something which fewer people probably do these days), or using a POP-mailer like Eudora or Thunderbird (something many people do), requiries first running a small piece of VPN (Virtual Private Network) software. EIU has made this software available for free download at the following address.

http://its.eiu.edu/software/

This is relevant to WebCT users as well, as I have found it necessary to run this VPN software when using the Chat function of WebCT from home. (By contrast, the other functions of WebCT seem to work without the VPN software).

Here are some instructions on how to use the VPN software.

Connecting. After downloading and installing the VPN software, you will (in Windows) have a little folder labelled "VPN Client". Inside this folder is the VPN program, also labelled "VPN Client".

Click on the VPN Client program icon to start the VPN software.

When the VPN program starts, it looks like this.

Type in your EIU login name and your password (the same name and password as you use for email).

Then click the OK button to connect to EIU.

Slightly annoyingly, the VPN software will then give you not one, but two different confirmation messages: this one

and then this one.

Just click on the button in each case (Continue, in the first box; OK in the second box), and you're ready to use internet software. At this point, for example, you can open a web browser, log in to WebCT, and successfully run the Chat function of WebCT. (Likewise, you can connect to EIU's system using telnet, FTP, or email programs likes Thunderbird.)

Disconnecting. When you are done using the the internet programs, you need to disconnect the VPN software. You do so by clicking the Disconnect button.

The VPN software will disconnect, and give the following confirmation message. Click on the OK button to close this message box.

You can now just shut down the VPN program (in Windows, by clicking the little X button in the upper right corner of the program -- here, in red).

Basically, running the VPN software amounts to logging in to EIU an additional time, for added security reasons.

Reminder: you do not need to download or use the VPN software in order to use WebCT functions other than Chat. For example, Readings, Homework, Mail, Discussions, and Calendar all will work in your web browser without needing to connect through VPN first. But it seems that the VPN software is necessary to get Chat to work.