Virtual Private Networking

Virtual Private Networking

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a private network that connects remote sites or users together using virtual connections routed through the Internet. VPNs add a layer of security by encoding the data one computer is sending to another into a form that only the other computer will be able to decode.

Virtual Private Networking (VPN) provides encrypted access to University resources from off-campus. Cisco AnyConnect is available for Windows, OS X, iOS, some Linux distributions, and some Android devices.

AnyConnect offers two types of connections:

  • Generic: This group gives access to basic services on campus and can be used by any active faculty, staff, students, and consultants.
  • Employee: This group can only be used by University employees and gives slightly more access than the Generic group.

Most of the online tools and software faculty, staff and students use do not need the VPN.  Here are the tools that DO need the VPN to access when off campus. 

  • Remote Desktop Access to Workstations that remain on campus
  • Servers
  • Lab Computer/Computing Sites, which was recently added in response to our current efforts
  • Access to Network File Share/Network Drives
  • Access to SCCM for Workstation Management and Support
  • Administration of on-premise resources and services
  • Unified Communications Telephone Self Care (Set up call forwarding and managing voicemail.  https://doit.missouri.edu/services/voice/unified-communications-resources/unified-communications-portal/
  • Specialized workflows that vary based on the needs of the department.  These make use of departmental VPN groups.  For user groups that this applies to, they should already be aware of the requirement. 

Users with Ethernet (on-campus) connections do not need to use VPN to access MU-specific resources.

There is no monthly charge for VPN service.

 

There are two types of connections:

  • Generic: This group gives access to basic services on campus and can be used by any active faculty, staff, students, and consultants.
  • Employee: This group can only be used by University employees and gives slightly more access than the Generic group.

To address performance issues created by the significant increase in remote employees using the VPN service, we have deployed an additional platform to augment the Employee and Generic VPN groups. Please disconnect and reconnect. When reconnecting, change anyconnect.missouri.edu to vpn.missouri.edu in the popup connection dialog. 

Note:  Most university resources do NOT require VPN for access: email, OneDrive, PeopleSoft, Zoom, Canvas, etc. For resources needing VPN, click the Details Tab.

During this time of exceptional load, please refrain from using VPN unnecessarily, and disconnect when you complete the task requiring it. In some cases, long-standing sessions may be forced to disconnect to free up resources for users who must use VPN to complete tasks.

If you experience issues on the new platform, please report them to the DoIT Tech Support.  

If you need to download the VPN AnyConnect client, go to anyconnect.missouri.edu. If you need additional instructions on downloading the VPN client, go to doitservices.missouri.edu . Log in to the self-service portal with your University user id and password, select Service Catalog, and search for VPN.

 

Go to doitservices.missouri.edu and click on the Help icon. Login to the self-service portal with your University user id and password, and Search for Answers accordingly. For additional assistance, contact our Help Desk at 573-882-5000.