OpenVPN on university’s Windows computers

The use of some of the university’s online services is limited to the university network for licence-related reasons. These services include the databases and e-papers offered by the library. The OpenVPN software has been installed on all of the university’s Windows laptops. The software allows you to use the university network in wireless mode and outside the university premises.

OpenVPN in a nutshell

Use the uh-vpn-helsinkifi-only connection when you are in your home network or any other trusted network 

  • Only the necessary traffic goes through the University (e.g. home directories, Efecte, SAP) 
  • Less strain on the University network 

Use the uh-vpn-allroute connection when you are in another network, for example, in a hotel or café 

  • All traffic goes through the University securely 
  • More strain on the University network 
    • Use this connection when you want to use the library’s paid e-materials.
    • Use this connection when you log in to Rapo.

Instructions for other operating systems and home computers can be found here.

    Starting programs

    • Click Start > OpenVPN GUI.

     

    Establishing a connection

    • Open OpenVPN GUI on the Windows taskbar.
    • Select Connect.
    • Enter your username and password and click OK.
    • This will activate the VPN connection. The notification window also includes the IP address of the connection. The university’s IP addresses have the format 128.214.xxx.yyy.

     

    Checking the status of the connection

    • You can check the status of the OpenVPN connection by launching the software on the taskbar as describe above and then selecting Show Status.
    • In the window, you can review the connection’s log and you can end the connection by clicking Disconnect.

     

    Disconnecting

    • Open OpenVPN GUI on the Windows taskbar as described above and click Disconnect.

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