Williams VPN
A VPN connection allows you to establish a keyserver connection and run Williams licensed software from off-campus. Currently the VPN connection is limited to Faculty and Staff who are doing academic related work. The software is also limited to Windows 2000 or XP on the PC side and OSX on the Mac side.
The technology still requires internet access from home to briefly connect to the keyserver. Adelphia cable or Verizon DSL is preferred, although a dial-up connection may end up working fine.
If you do not already have the VPN software you will need to download the Cisco Systems VPN Client. It is available from our software download site
OSX
Run the installer (note you will have to authenticate to the local OSX account, and you will have to reboot). After rebooting, the VPNClient application is in the Applications folder. Make an alias on the Desktop.
Windows 2000 and XP
Download the VPN client and run the file. It takes several minutes to finish, just keep selecting the default choices. You will have to reboot. After rebooting, the make a shortcut of the client which is in Programs: Cisco Systems VPN Client and put it on the desktop.
Making the VPN Connection
Run the client and open the Williams connection. Log in with your username and password (email password). You now have an encrypted connection to Williams. Try running a keyserved application, like Photoshop or Dreamweaver. It should make an automatic connection and check out a key.
You will want to make sure to disconnect from the VPN when you are done. This will ensure you are not reducing the key count for that application.
Support Restrictions
If you run into problems either connecting or using keyserved applications, make a note of the circumstances. Check that your internet connection is running smoothly by opening a web browser. Write down any error messages you receive.
It has come to our attention that some colleges and universities do not allow an IPSEC connection out of their network. So if you attempting to connect to Williams from another school and are unable to establish a connection, please contact the helpdesk at that school to find out whether they are automatically blocking it.
Web Browser Proxy
The VPN client and the proxy server, while appearing to meet some of the same needs, are mutually exclusive. You can not run the VPN client to connect to the Library databases. In fact, you should not attempt to run them at the same time. You will have to disconnect from the VPN before connecting to the databases. If this is a significant inconvenience, connect using the VPN, run the keyserved application you need, disconnect the VPN, then enable the proxy server. The keyserved application should keep running until you quit out of it.
Proxy server setup and technical support on connecting the the Library databases is provided by the Library. They have very good documentation.
Also keep in mind there are many things you can do off-campus which do not require a VPN connection. For a full list and instructions see the Working From Home FAQ.
