VPN Instructions


What is the VPN?
Instructions to Access CCSU VPN
Using the VPN Bookmarks
Accessing Your CCSU Outlook Account
Changing Browser Options

What is the VPN?

Information Technology Services understands the need for faculty and staff to access their Personal Shares (M: drive) and other campus network resources from off campus.  In an effort to improve current services, ITS has implemented a VPN solution by Neoteris.  Neoteris is a virtual private network that allows you to access CCSU systems remotely.

This system is amazingly easy to use.  All you have to do is access https://vpn.ccsu.edu from the internet, enter in your BlueNet ID and password just like you would on the campus network and answer yes to a few questions.  In moments, you have access to netshare files just like you would on the campus network.  Now you do not need to save your work to a disk in order to bring it home and work on it.  All of your files will be available to you through any computer at any location at any time as long as you have internet access.  Other systems that can be accessed remotely via the VPN include Internet Native Banner and Outlook.

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Instructions to Access CCSU VPN

  1. Go to:   https://vpn.ccsu.edu

  2. The VPN login window will open.  Enter your BlueNet ID and password.  Choose a Realm from the drop down menu (Faculty/Staff or Students).  Click on Sign In.

  3. A small DO NOT CLOSE window will appear in the lower right corner of your screen. NOTE: If you have a pop-up stopper, this window will only appear if you click on "start". If you close this window, your connection to the CCSU campus network through VPN will be terminated.  While connected through the VPN the status will be listed as OK.  You may minimize the window. 

  4. Security Alerts will appear the first time you login.  Neoteris and the VPN are secure products so feel comfortable to click Always or OK.  Clicking Always will prevent the Security Alerts from appearing every time you log on to VPN.

  5. The VPN window will be present with links to various campus network resources.

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Using the VPN Bookmarks

 A bookmark is a link to a specific website or folder.  By clicking on a bookmark you are instantly connected to a specific location without the hassle of browsing for it.   The main VPN web page has bookmarks already set up for you.  You can also set up your own specific bookmarks.  The following instructions will help you access various websites and folders by adding, editing or removing your own bookmarks.

Adding Bookmarks

  1. Click on Windows Files on the main VPN webpage.
  2. Select the server you wish to open by clicking on it.
  3. A list of shares or applications will appear, click on the one you wish to bookmark.
  4. To bookmark the entire share or application, click on bookmark current folder in the upper right. To bookmark individual folders, click on the checkbox next to  the folder, then click on Bookmark Selected.
  5. Click on the Add Bookmark button. Your bookmark will be added and saved.

Editing Bookmarks

  1. Click on the Item Properties button to the right of the bookmark.
  2. Make edits to the bookmark.
  3. Click on the Save Changes button.

Removing Bookmarks

  1. In the Files Section, click the Panel Preferences button on the main VPN webpage.
  2. Click on the name of the bookmark.
  3. Click on Delete.
  4. Click on Save Changes.

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Accessing Your CCSU Outlook Account

 The CCSU VPN Connection allows you access to your e-mail using Microsoft Outlook as if you were logged into a campus network computer.  You will need Microsoft Outlook installed on your off campus network computer.  If you do not currently have Microsoft Outlook installed, the software is available free of charge at the ITS office, located in room 019 in Henry Barnard for faculty and staff.

Note:  If you have downloaded Windows XP SP2, or are running Windows Office 2003 on your computer, you can not access your CCSU Outlook account through the VPN at this time.  You can access your CCSU Outlook e-mail account through Citrix or Outlook Web Access.

First time setup instructions for accessing Outlook XP through the VPN.
  1. Connect to CCSU VPN by following Instructions to Access CCSU VPN.
  2. Minimize the CCSU VPN Connection main webpage.
  3. Click on Start and then click on Control Panel.
  4. The Control Panel window will open.  Double-click on the Mail icon.
  5. The Mail Setup-Default Outlook Profile window will open.  Click on E-Mail Accounts…
  6. In the Exchange Server Settings, enter 149.152.29.31 for the Exchange Server and your BlueNet ID under Username.  Click on Check Name, enter your BlueNet ID, password, and CCSU_COMP_SRV as the Domain.  The mail server should change from the IP address to CFACMAIL1 or CFACMAIL2.  Click on Next.
  7. Double click on the Microsoft Outlook icon on your desktop and proceed as normal.

Accessing your Campus Outlook Account through the VPN

  1. Go to the CCSU VPN by following Instructions to Access CCSU VPN.

  2. Minimize the CCSU VPN Connection main webpage.

  3. Double-click on the Microsoft Outlook icon on your desktop and proceed as normal.

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Changing Browser Options

If you are using Internet Explorer to access the VPN, you may experience problems connecting to links if the "Internet Options" are not set properly.  Making the following change will prevent linked sites from being launched in the VPN Session Manager Box, which will terminate the VPN connection. 
   

  1. Open Internet Explorer and click on the Tools menu.

  2. Click on  Internet Options…

  3. An Internet Options window will open.  Click on the Advanced tab.

  4. Scroll down the Settings menu until you find “Reuse windows for launching shortcuts.”  Uncheck the box by clicking on it.

  5. Click OK.

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