Establishing an OpenVPN connection with iOS devices

It is possible to form an encrypted remote connection from your home computer to the servers of the University of Helsinki. A VPN connection is also useful in unencrypted networks (e.g. visitor networks in libraries, airports, etc. in other public spaces).

The IT Center upgraded the university OpenVPN service with the new uh-vpn-allroute and uh-vpn-helsinkifi-only connections during 2021, replacing the old hy and hy-tun connections (HY-VPN and HY-TUN connections on Macs). The old OpenVPN connections will be permanently disabled on 31 October 2022.

Read more about OpenVPN service update from Flamma

User guide

Use the uh-vpn-helsinkifi-only connection, if you work in your home network or another trusted network: 

  •   Only necessary traffic is transferred via the university network (e.g. home directories, Efecte, SAP)  
  •   Less traffic load on the university network 

Use the uh-vpn-allroute connection, if you are in another network, e.g. a café or a hotel 

  •   All traffic is transferred securely through the university network 
  •   More traffic load on the university network 

 

1. Go to AppStore and download a program called OpenVPN Connect
2. Use your Safari browser to download files to your mobile device from Download Centre or here:

Open the files with the OpenVPN Connect program.

3. Add the information of your user account. Remember to use your short account name (e.g. rkeskiva

4. Change in settings Allow Compression (insecure) setting to Full. 

4. Launch the OpenVPN program and activate the VPN connection.

Installation

Install the OpenVPN Connect program from App Store.

After this, you will need to adjust the settings. Follow these steps:

Use your Safari browser to download files from Download Centre or here:

The file is ready for downloading. Select Open in OpenVPN

If you do not get the download icon, please open Files App and open downloaded file from there.
 

The settings profile will be added to the OpenVPN Connect program. Select Add.

  • Fill in your username in its basic format, e.g. rkeskiva (1). Select Connect (2). 

The device will ask for permission to install the settings. Select Allow.

Accept the installation of the VPN configuration by entering the PIN code for the device.

Go to the OpenVPN Settings (can be found in menu in top left) and open Advanced settings.

  • Find the Allow Compression (insecure) setting and select option Full.

Now OpenVPN Connect is ready to use.

Establishing a connection

  • Use the switch to open a connection.
  • Enter your password and select OK.
  • The device will ask if you want to allow the OpenVPN Connect program to establish a VPN connection. Select Yes.
  • The connection is established, and this page will display statistics on the connection.  
  • You can see the VPN icon on the top bar when VPN is connected.

Disconnecting

Open the OpenVPN program (unless it is already open > double-tap the home button to see all of your open programs).  

Slide the switch from green to white to disconnect. You are now disconnected.

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