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

Accessing Secure Websites

This VPN client is configured by IT staff to allow you access to Valpo's secure websites and encrypts your activity.

  1. Connect your computer to an internet connection
  2. Point your web browser 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


VPN is Valpo-only

Valpo's VPN system will only encrypt your connections to other Valpo systems. In order to protect your other online activities, you may wish to subscribe to a paid public VPN service.

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 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 bit.tgz archive for 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. DO NOT download the Secure Mobile Access Connect Agent (Windows.msi or Mac.dmg); they are incompatible with our VPN server.



  4. After the download start the installation from the downloaded file named "NXSetupU.exe". 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 NextExtender and run it for the first time, you will need to enter vpn.valpo.edu for the Server and valpo for the domain.



  6. Authenticate with your ValpoNet credentials to connect to the VPN server.  On Windows 10, a successful connection will be indicated by the "Nx" symbol in the system tray as shown below:


Note: If you close NetExtender it will simply minimize it to the taskbar and will stay connected.

Remember to click Disconnect when you are done using the VPN and do not leave it connected while not using your computer for longer periods of time.

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

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


Still need help?

For additional assistance, contact the IT Help Desk.

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