VPN Access

Introduction

Whitman College provides VPN (virtual private network) access for some employees that allows them to securely connect to our internal network over the internet.

Benefits from using the VPN while off campus:

  • Increased security compared to public WIFI networks

  • Allows you to potentially gain access to resources which are not normally accessible from off campus (example: Colleague)

Getting a VPN Account

Cisco AnyConnect Client

The Cisco AnyConnect Client is necessary for using the VPN with your Whitman-issued computer.

  • For Windows: Install using Software Center

  • For MacOS: Install using Self Service

Connecting your computer to the VPN

  1. Open the the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

  2. Type: vpn.whitman.edu in the blank box and then click Connect

  3. Type your Whitman username in the Username field

  4. Type your Whitman password in the Password field (the same password you use for logging into myWhitman)

  5. Type in the desired Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method in to the Second Password field:

    1. “push” will send a push notification to the Duo Mobile App on your phone. Review the request and select “Approve” to log in.

    2. “phone” will call your registered phone (you can also use phone2 to call your second device, if registered)

    3. “sms” will have a set of passcodes texted to your registered cell phone

      1. Note: when using this option, the initial login will fail. After you have received the passcodes, login again and enter that passcode for the Second Password field

    4. Instead of using one of the above methods, you can enter a passcode you received by any of these options:

      1. Using the sms option

      2. The passcode displayed on your Duo fob

      3. The temporary passcode given to you by the Help Desk

      4. A self-generated passcode (see this article about backup codes).

    5. For questions about Multi-Factor Authentication, see the Multi-Factor FAQ article.

  6. Click OK

  7. After you have completed any MFA prompts, you should be connected to the VPN

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Verifying your VPN IP address

  • Use your web browser to open the following web page: Display my IP addresses

  • The web page will display both your "On-Campus IP address" and your "Off-Campus IP Address".

  • If you have successfully connected to the VPN, then your "On-Campus IP Address" should be 10.20.2.xx where "xx" is a number between 1 to 253.

Disconnecting from the VPN

Locate the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client window and click Disconnect.