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IT uses a system from SonicWall to provide Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology. This tool establishes a secure connection through an otherwise insecure unsecure or untrusted network, and extends certain protected network features of the local network to remote or mobile devices. Mac users, click here to access instructions for installing the SonicWall Mobile Connect app for MacOS.

The VPN has three methods of access, : web-based Bookmarks, SonicWall NetExtender, and SonicWall Mobile Connect. Bookmarks are designed to provide access to individual resources (similar to browser bookmarks), while the NetExtender client and SonicWall Mobile Connect app provide full network access, as if you were physically located on campus. For example:

• The "Valpo Intra website" bookmark provides a way to connect to resources like Campus Chronicle without the burden of multiple logins
• With the SonicWall NetExtender client installed, a Windows 10 PC or a Linux computer will behave the way it would if it were connected to the Valpo network 
• After installing the SonicWall Mobile Connect app on Windows 10, MacOS, iOS, or Android, it runs as a background process in either iOS or Android OS; there is no need to first log in through the vpn.valpo.edu website

This webpage gives provides a good overview of what VPN service is, and how it works:   https://www.sans.org/security-awareness-training/resources/virtual-private-networks-vpns

In This Article

Using VPN Bookmarks

Configuring Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Full VPN Access on Windows PC or Linux

Full VPN Access for Mac

Troubleshooting

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Bookmarks Bookmarks

Accessing Secure Websites with Bookmarks

This VPN client is configured by IT staff to staff to allow you access to Valpo's secure websites and encrypts your activitythe internet traffic between your computer and the web server.

1. Connect Ensure your computer to has an active wired or wireless internet connection
   
   
2. Point your web browser Browse to:   vpn.valpo.edu
   
   
3. At the login page, enter your ValpoNet credentials, select valpo in the Domain drop down list, then click "login"
   1. You may need to enter your username in this format: valpo\username
      
      
4. You are now connected and can securely access websites
   
   
5. The Bookmarks list offers quick access to more commonly-used secure websites
   
   
   

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Multifactor Multifactor

Configuring Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Multifactor authentication is required to use Valpo's VPN client (on Windows, macOS, and Linux), similar to the way banks require a code you receive via text message to access your accounts. You can receive your one-time passcode (OTP) either via e-mail or using any free authenticator app, such as Microsoft Authenticator or Authy. If you would prefer to receive an e-mail at your Valpo Gmail address every time you connect to the VPN, skip ahead to the next section, either for PC/Linux or Mac. To use an authenticator app to receive your OTP instead, follow the steps below.

1. Follow the steps from the previous section of this document for logging into Valpo's VPN in a web browser. At this point you may be presented with the QR code screen shown below, but if you are not, click on the circle with your initials in the upper-right corner of the screen, then choose Settings from the resulting menu. Click the "Bind Mobile APP" button to bring up a QR code like the one below.
    
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2. In your phone's authenticator app, tap the "+" or "Add" button to add a connection to Valpo's VPN server. The app will require access to your camera to scan the QR code that appears in your web browser, so grant those permissions if prompted to do so.
    
    
3. Once you have scanned the QR code, your authenticator app will generate a six-digit code. Enter that in the box below the QR code and click the "Verify" button. Your phone's authenticator app is now bound to the VPN server.

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Windows Windows

Accessing the Full Network on a Windows 10 or Linux PC

This VPN client allows you to access to Valpo's network resources that aren't web-based, such as network file servers and campus printers. This option requires you to install a small software application on your computer. You should only need to install it once; thereafter, you will only need to login.

Below are the steps for installing the SonicWall NetExtender client, which is the primary software tool that works for interfacing with Valpo's VPN:

1. Go to https://vpn.valpo.edu and select valpo from the drop-down box under "Domain."  Then, click the NEXT button and log in with your ValpoNet credentials.
   
   
    
    
    
2. After logging in from within the Virtual Office VPN page, click on your account initials in the upper right hand corner to bring up the menu.   From here, select Downloads.
   
   
    
    
    

3. Select the "Windows.exe" NetExtender client if you are using a Windows 10 PC, or the

   appropriate

   32-bit or 64-bit .tgz archive

   for

   appropriate to your CPU architecture if you are using a Linux machine. Depending on your browser it will either prompt you to download the file to a location you can specify or automatically download it to a default save location.
   
   

   Info
   title Compatibility Note
   DO NOT download the Secure Mobile Access Connect Agent (Windows.msi or Mac.dmg); they are

   incompatible

   not compatible with our VPN server.

     
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4. After the download start the installation from the downloaded file named process has completed, launch the installer, which will be called "NXSetupU.exe" in Windows 10. If you are installing on 64-bit Linux you will need to unzip NetExtender.x86_64 and launch the install executable contained in the archive.
    
    
    
5. When you start the NextExtender and run it application for the first time, you will need to enter vpn.valpo.edu for in the Server field and valpo for the domain.
   Image RemovedDomain field. (This information will be saved automatically for subsequent logins.)
   
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6. Authenticate with your ValpoNet credentials to connect to the VPN server. You will then be prompted to enter your one-time password (OTP) from either an automated e-mail or from your phone's authenticator app. If this is not yet set up, follow the steps for configuring Multifactor Authentication above.
    
    
7. On Windows 10, a successful connection will be indicated by the "Nx" symbol in the system tray as shown below:.
   
   

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Beginning Feb. 24, 2021 multifactor authentication will be enabled by default on Valpo's VPN server. Follow these instructions to configure and use MFA. There is no way to disable MFA; you must use it whenever you connect to the VPN.

While the above steps will allow you to access the VPN consistently, you might find that there are other methods that are more convenient for you to use.  Below are links to articles with detailed instructions on how to use the mobile version of SonicWall which works well on tablets, phones, and other devices that might benefit from a VPN connection.  We cannot guarantee, however, that these other applications will work with the consistency that the SonicWall NetExtender software provides.

Instructions for using SonicWall Mobile Connect on MacOS: Use VPN on MacOS

You can also access your office computer using the appropriate VPN tutorial above (either for Windows or for Mac), then creating a remote desktop connection to your PC.  To access your office PC through the VPN web client without installing a VPN desktop client, follow the steps in this tutorial: Remotely Log in to Office PC using VPN Web Client.

Troubleshooting

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Mac Mac

Accessing the Full Network on a Mac Computer

1. Open the App Store from the Launcher and sign in with your Apple ID, if necessary. Search for “sonicwall,” then download and install the free SonicWall Mobile Connect app.
   
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2. Once the app has downloaded, open it from Launchpad.
   
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3. Click the “Add connection” button, then add the following information and click "Save".
   1. Name: Valpo
   2. Server: vpn.valpo.edu (click "Next")
   3. Username: your ValpoNet username
   4. Password: your ValpoNet password
   5. Domain: valpo
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4. To connect, make sure the "Valpo" connection you just configured appears in the drop-down menu and click the "Connect" button
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5. Enter your multifactor authentication one-time passcode (OTP), either from your e-mail or the authenticator app you configured for Valpo's VPN. Follow the steps for configuring Multifactor Authentication above if you have not yet done this.
    
    
    
6. You are now connected to the VPN. When you're finished with your session, be sure to click the "Disconnect" button.
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Troubleshooting Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble connecting and nothing is working, you may wish to try uninstalling the SonicWall software, then re-downloading and re-installing it.

You may can also wish to try deleting the existing connection and creating a new one.

If you no longer have access to the device or the authenticator app that was bound to the VPN server, log back in to vpn.valpo.edu, go to the Settings screen, and unbind the app, then repeat the Multifactor Authentication setup process. To avoid this scenario altogether, generate a backup code from the same Settings screen and store it somewhere safe, like a secure password manager.

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