Baruch College

Baruch Computing and Technology Center (BCTC)

VPN Service Description and Instructions

The Baruch College VPN service allows users to access Baruch College network services such as internal web servers, file servers, or desktop computers, from off-campus.

Who is eligible to use the VPN service?

  • Baruch College faculty or staff members
  • external vendors/contractors currently engaged in contract work with the college

Process for Obtaining VPN Service

For Baruch College Faculty or Staff -

  1. The user must submit an e-mail to The Baruch College Help Desk (helpdesk@baruch.cuny.edu) verifying that no confidential student information will be accessed over the VPN, and that the computer being used is a Windows XP computer (we cannot support Windows Vista/Windows 7 at this time), an Apple OS X that is fully patched and running current anti-virus and anti spyware software (stating the brand and release/version). The e-mail must be cc’d to the users’ department chair or administrative unit director.
  2. The users’ department chair or administrative unit director must then confirm via an e-mail to The Baruch College Help Desk (helpdesk@baruch.cuny.edu) that the user is currently employed and should be provided a VPN account.
  3. Once both the e-mail from the user and the department chair or administrative unit director has been received, the request will be processed and the account created. The BCTC will follow up to confirm the account setup and provide information about using the VPN service.

For Vendor/Contractor -  A department chair or administrative unit director must make the electronic or written request to The Baruch College Help Desk (helpdesk@baruch.cuny.edu), with confirmation that no confidential student information will be accessed over the VPN. They must affirm that there is a contractual relationship between the college and the vendor. The BCTC will need an authorization from the contracting entity permitting their representative to use the VPN. The department head must identify in the request a period of time for which the VPN account should be permitted, and acknowledge that they must submit a request if an extension for access is needed. The BCTC will also need confirmation from whomever will be using the VPN that they are using a Windows XP computer (we cannot support Windows Vista at this time), an Apple OS X or a LINUX computer that is fully patched and running current anti-virus and anti spyware software (stating the brand and release/version). The BCTC will send an email to the user confirming the account setup and additional information about using the VPN service.

Instructions for Setup of VPN Service

To complete these instructions, you will need:

  • An established connection to your ISP (You must already be connected to the internet through cable modem or DSL)
  • An Active Directory account with VPN permission (permission for VPN access must be requested by department chair or administrative unit director - see above)
  • A ".pcf" file - This should have been attached to an email from the BCTC confirming your VPN account

  • A computer running that meets the minimum system requirements. See Verifying System Requirements

Installation and configuration

  1. Download the appropriate installation package for your platform. 

Operating System
  Package Name
Windows XP Only
     Windows XP VPN Client
Mac OSX 10.4 or higher (Intel Processor) MAC OS X VPN Client

  1. Install  the Software

    • Windows installation:

      •  Double-click the file you downloaded to begin the installation sequence. Choose a place to uncompress the installation files.
      •   Run the vpnclient_setup.exe file and follow the default prompts, accepting the license agreement and performing a typical installation. You may be prompted to reboot your system at the end of the installation.

      •   After the installation is complete, and AFTER  you've rebooted your system, the Cisco VPN client will be available on your computer.
      •   Launch the application by going to Start -> Program Files -> Cisco Systems VPN Client and selecting the VPN Client item   

    • Macintosh installation:
      •   Uncompress the .dmg file and mount the disk image. Macintosh OS X's built-in Disk Copy tool will handle this for you.

      (Note: Depending on your browser's configuration, your Mac may have already uncompressed the downloaded file. If your compression program claims that the file is not compressed or is corrupt, it may have already been uncompressed. Remove the '.gz' extension and double-click to mount the disk image.)

      •  Double-click the installation file on the mounted disk image to begin the installation sequence.

      •  Follow the prompts as they are given, accepting the license agreement and performing a typical installation. You may be prompted to reboot your system at the end of the installation.

      •  An icon to launch the VPN client will be placed in the Applications directory.

  1. Import the Connection entry - Both Windows and Macintosh user

  •  Open the VPN client application. The VPN client window will appear


  • Click the Connection Entries tab.
  • Click Import at the top of the VPN client window.  Select the BARUCH.pcf  (emailed to you as an attachment by the BCTC). Press Open.  The file will be imported and you will now see an entry titled BARUCH.

Starting  a VPN Connection

  1. Open the VPN client application.
  2. Select the BARUCH Profile.
  3. Click Connect at the top of the VPN client window
  4. A  popup asking for your username and password.  Use the VPN Username and password supplied to you. 
VPN connection window
  1. Click OK.
  1. After connecting, the window will minimize itself (on Windows) and you should see a closed-lock icon in your taskbar, indicating that you have successfully connected to the VPN server. (On Macintosh, the minimize on connect option is not selected by default; you can change its behavior on either platform by toggling the "Minimize on Connect" option under Preferences.)

  2. When you are finished with your VPN connection:
    • Call back the client window by clicking the lock icon in your taskbar (Macintosh) or right-clicking on the lock icon in the task bar and selecting VPN Client from the menu of options presented (Windows). You will return to your VPN client.
    • Click the Disconnect button.

Verifying System Requirements

Verify that your computer meets these requirements:

Windows

  • A single, Pentium®-class processor.
  • Windows XP Operating System at this time, Windows Vista is not supported
  • Microsoft TCP/IP installed. (Confirm via Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network > Protocols or Configuration.)
  • 50 MB hard disk space.
  • Memory: 128 MB for Windows XP (256 MB recommended)
  • Administrator privileges if installing on Windows XP Operating System

Mac

  • Mac OS X 10.4 or later
  • 30 MB of hard disk space.
  • NOTE - Mac OS X VPN Clients support only single interface FastEthernet network adapters. This VPN Client does not support any multiport adapters.