University Computer Help Desk

Connecting with the Network Connect WebVPN client

Use the Network Connect VPN client, a WebVPN component, to establish a VPN connection for your entire computer.

Before You Begin

When you log in to WebVPN, your computer is initially granted a limited VPN connection, which allows you to use links on the WebVPN web page. Only tasks available through the WebVPN home page are allowed to use this limited VPN connection.

Network Connect is a VPN client available through WebVPN. When you start Network Connect, it establishes a system-wide VPN connection for your entire computer. Network Connect provides the same type of VPN connection as the Cisco VPN Client. For more information, refer to 1276: Overview of VPN.

Using Network Connect

To use Network Connect to establish a VPN connection, do the following:

  1. Go to https://webvpn.ilstu.edu and log in.
  2. Locate Network Connect in the Client Application Sessions section.
  3. Click the Start button located to the right of Network Connect.
  4. The first time you use Network Connect, it is installed to your computer.
  5. The Network Connect window will appear as a VPN connection is established for your computer.

After connecting with Network Connect, you may access restricted resources at Illinois State University that require a VPN connection.

In Windows, you will see a padlock icon in your system tray (in the lower-right corner of your screen, next to your clock). In Mac OS X, the Network Connect window will remain open; you can minimize it to your dock while it is in use.

Launch Network Connect without visiting the WebVPN website

After you install Network Connect, you can launch it without visiting the WebVPN website. For more information, refer to the following: