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  5. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Alert

If you are studying in China due to the travel restrictions please see the Library and IT Enhanced support page for help.

Important:

The use of all Information Technology (IT) facilities at the University of South Australia, including the UniSA wired and wireless networks, is subject to the University's Acceptable use of Information Technology (IT) facilities policy. 

Accessing the UniSA Network from Off-site (via VPN)

To be given access to the VPN please contact the IT Help Desk

When away from the University staff and students can connect to the UniSA network as though they were using a computer on campus by setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN).  Common reasons to do this include:

  • accessing file located on a UniSA server
    NOTE: This is the recommended file storage practice.
  • to remotely access files which are located on an office PC C: drive
    NOTE: This is not the recommended practice because these files are not being backed up.
  • to remotely control a University desktop system which has specialised software installed and that you have permission to log into ('remote desktop').

NOTE: VPN connection is not permitted to UniSA pools or barns.

The UniSA Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure connection when you are accessing the University network through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or through the eduroam wireless network.  To use UniSA's VPN setup you must first configure a VPN connection on your computer.

To access the UniSA VPN you will need:

  • Connection to the internet
  • Valid and active UniSA network account (username and password)
  • VPN Client software (Cisco AnyConnect is UniSA's recommended client)
  • Okta Verify App (or Okta Verify configured for SMS authentication)

Recommended VPN Client Software

Cisco AnyConnect software is the University's recommended VPN Client and automatically installed on ALL UniSA owned devices.

The Cisco AnyConnect Client is based on SSL connectivity and is supported by the following operating systems:

  • Windows 10/11  (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Linux (Red Hat 6, 7 & Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS), 14.04 (LTS) and 16.04(LTS) (64-bit only))
  • macOS 10.12
  • macOS X 10.11
  • macOS X 10.10

For additional information please see Student Cisco AnyConnect sections.

How to connect via the Cisco AnyConnect VPN with Multi-Factor Authentication

To be given access to the VPN please contact the IT Help Desk

  1. If you do not have the Cisco AnyConnect VPN installed on your machine, please refer to this page for installation of the Cisco AnyConnect client - https://i.unisa.edu.au/askit/students/network/vpn/anyconnect/
  2. Open the Cisco AnyConnect VPN on your machine
  3. In the connection field, enter ‘vpn.unisa.edu.au’ and click ‘Connect’
  4. Enter your username and password when prompted and click ‘OK’
  5. You will be prompted for which MFA mode you wish to use, enter the corresponding number for the MFA method you set up and click ‘Continue’
    If you selected Push notification, you will receive a prompt on your mobile device that you can approve by clicking ‘Yes, It’s Me’
  6. If you selected SMS, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone that you can enter into the prompt box and then click ‘Continue’;
  7. Click on ‘Accept’ and you will be authenticated
  8. You can disconnect your session by opening the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client and clicking ‘Disconnect’

Or for step-by-step instructions (including screenshots) see the How to connect via the Cisco AnyConnect VPN with Multi-Factor Authentication page.

How do I disconnect from Cisco AnyConnect?

  1. Click up arrow, far right of Taskbar (near clock and calendar) to display more system tray items
  2. Right mouse click Cisco AnyConnect
  3. Click Disconnect

For step-by-step instructions (including screenshots) see the disconnecting from the UniSA VPN page.