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VPN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following are the most commonly asked questions about The Library's VPN (Virtual Private Network). For answers to questions not addressed here, browse the web site or submit your question to the Comments page.

  1. What is VPN?
  2. Who can use VPN?
  3. When should I use the proxy server or VPN?
  4. How is VPN different from the proxy server?


  5. Can I use VPN with any web browser?
  6. Can I use VPN on a Macintosh?
  7. What about PDAs or pocket PCs?
  8. Can I use VPN from a home network?
  9. Can I use VPN through a firewall?
  10. Does VPN offer virus protection?


  11. How do I get the VPN software?
  12. Who installs the VPN software?
  13. How do I start up VPN?
  14. Can I set up the VPN client to automatically connect at startup?
  15. How do I know whether VPN is connected?
  16. How long can I stay connected via VPN?
  17. Can I continue to print while connected to the VPN?


  18. I use VPN but can't access licensed resources, or get incorrect results
  19. My AOL dialup or broadband connection drops when I connect to the VPN, or doesn't connect at all. What can I do?
  20. I used VPN, then forgot to disconnect it. Is this a problem?
  21. I tried to uninstall VPN but it didn't work. What should I do?
  22. I still have a question about VPN. What should I do?
  1. What is VPN?
    VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that runs on your off-campus computer. After you log in with your CalNet ID and passphrase, VPN establishes a secure "tunnel" to the UC Berkeley network. When you use a VPN connection, it appears to systems on campus that you are also on campus - you will have a UC Berkeley IP address instead of the one you have at home (through your dsl/dialup service's ISP). This allows you to use article databases, electronic journals, and other licensed resources found through the Library website and catalogs.


  2. Who can use VPN?
    To download and run the VPN software, you must be a current UC Berkeley student, faculty, or staff member with a CalNet ID. Persons not affiliated with UC Berkeley cannot use the VPN system, but can use licensed electronic resources via public computers in the libraries. For more information, see Connecting from Off Campus.


  3. When should I use the proxy server or VPN?
    Most electronic resources are licensed by The Library from companies in business for profit. The terms of the contracts with these companies stipulate that The Library allow only UC faculty, students and staff to use these materials.

    Consequently, when you are off campus you will not be able to access many of the online journals and databases that you could access while on campus, unless you use the Library proxy server or Virtual Private Network (VPN).

    Note: For technical and contractual reasons there may be some resources that are not accessible from off campus at all.

  4. How is VPN different from the proxy server?
    The proxy server provides access to most licensed resources. However, some programs do not work with the proxy server. These require VPN for off-campus use: ARTstor (Macintosh only), Luna Insight, MDL Crossfire Beilstein and Gmelin, SciFinder Scholar, the java client in UC Image Service, and the Connect function in EndNote.

    Another difference is that the proxy server requires a one-time change in your web browser settings, then prompts you when you need to log in. VPN is a "client" software program that you download and install on your computer. You must run the VPN client each time you want to use licensed resources.


  5. Can I use VPN with any web browser?
    VPN will work with all web browsers (e.g., Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox), and over most types of Internet connections.


  6. Can I use VPN on a Mac?
    Yes, just follow our VPN Instructions for Macintosh computers.


  7. What about PDAs or pocket PCs?
    Cisco does not currently have any plans for a VPN client for these products.

  8. Can I use VPN from a home network?
    VPN may be used via a number of home routers (such as Linksys, Netgear and Apple Airport Base Station [except the Graphite model]). While other devices may work with VPN, these are the only brands we know have been tested.

  9. Can I use VPN through a firewall?
    It depends. If you are having trouble connecting and have a firewall, disable it and try again.


  10. Does VPN offer virus protection?
    No. VPN provides security by encrypting and decrypting data that passes through a VPN connection; it does not offer protection from viruses or other malware.


  11. How do I get the VPN software?
    For VPN software for Windows, click on the Download button from our VPN instructions page. This will get you a special version of the Cisco VPN client for Windows software, customized for use with Library resources. Download Cisco VPN software for Macintosh from the Workstation Support Services software page.


  12. Who installs the VPN software?
    You, the user. At home, on your personal computer, you are responsible for selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP), coordinating installation, and installing any required software. This includes the VPN client. You should not need to use the VPN from an on-campus computer.

  13. How do I start up VPN?
    Please see our instructions on "Using VPN" for Windows and Macintosh computers.

  14. Can I set up the VPN client to automatically connect at startup?
    No, the Cisco VPN client cannot automate the login process.


  15. How do I know whether VPN is connected?
    Look in the bottom right corner of your screen, next to the clock, for a small yellow icon in the shape of a lock. If the lock is closed, VPN is connected. If the lock is open, VPN has been disconnected. If there is no such icon, you will need to run VPN according to our instructions.


  16. How long can I stay connected via VPN?
    The VPN connection will disconnect after 3 hours of inactivity. This includes if you are using your computer, but not the network.

  17. Can I continue to print while connected to the VPN?
    Not in all circumstances. It depends on the type, location, and IP address, if applicable, of the printer you want to use. If the printer is physically attached to your computer it should continue to work. Network attached printers should continue to work only if the printer has a valid Internet IP address. Printers with private network addresses such 192.168.x.x are not available for use while using VPN.

    A workaround solution would be to use a locally attached printer or to defer printing by choosing the "print to file" application option to save the print stream as a file on your computer and printing the file later after disconnection from the VPN.

  18. I use VPN but can't access licensed resources, or get incorrect results
    Products such as Google Web Accelerator and the Firefox plugin DownThemAll can make web pages load more quickly. However, they can also cause problems when using electronic information resources that the library subscribes to, such as journal article databases.

    When you try to use these resources through a web accelerator, it comes between your computer and the website you are using, masking your UC Berkeley IP address and caching pages from the site for later use. Consequently, you may not get correct results or may not be able to log in at all. This can happen whether you are on or off campus, and even when you are using our proxy service or VPN.

    For this reason, we recommend turning off your web accelerator before using our website, or setting it to ignore specific databases, etc. that you plan to use. Please see the     instructions for doing these things in Google Web Accelerator.

  19. My AOL dialup or broadband connection drops when I connect to the VPN, or doesn't connect at all. What can I do?
    The VPN client will not work with AOL dialup or AOL Broadband services. When connected to the VPN via AOL dialup service, the VPN client disconnects after a few seconds. This happens because of a "connection keep-alive" sent by AOL. When connected to the VPN, the AOL server doesn't recognize that the connection is now being sent through the VPN, and is lead to believe that the machine is no longer connected to its network. Since it no longer sees the client, it disconnects the session. This is expected behavior from AOL connected clients. AOL does not claim to provide any support for VPN on their infrastructure. Solution: Use a different ISP if you need to connect to the UC Berkeley VPN.


  20. I used VPN, then forgot to disconnect it. Is this a problem?
    No, but while your VPN was connected, all your Internet traffic passed through the UC Berkeley VPN server. This slowed down your connection to Internet resources that did not require use of the VPN. The VPN software will "time out" after 3 hours of no activity, but we recommend disconnecting it when you are finished with your session.


  21. I tried to uninstall VPN but it didn't work. What should I do?
    Unfortunately this can happen for a number of reasons. Please see "How to Manually Uninstall the Cisco VPN Client 3.5 and Later for Windows 2000" for more information, or contact the help services listed below.


  22. I still have a question about VPN. What should I do?
    » If your question is about installing, or running VPN:

    Students: Help with this product is available at the Student Computer Consulting Service.

    Faculty and Staff: contact C@B Faculty and Staff Consulting (consult@cab.berkeley.edu; 510-642-8899; M-F 10am-3pm).

    » If your question is about accessing library resources:

    Contact the Library via the Library Web Comment Form.

Documents associated with this product:


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