Remote Access (VPN) for Students and Staff

Overview

The UNSW Enterprise Remote Access VPN Service (or UNSW VPN) lets you establish a secure network connection over the Internet between your computer/mobile device and protected UNSW services. 

Most applications will be able to be accessed simply through your local internet connection.

These include:

                                  •  Archibus                       •  Turnitin                     •  Identity Manager    

                                  •  Concur (Finance)         •  Moodle                     •  Lecture Recording +(Echo360)

                                  •  Zoom                                •  CASD                       •  Email (Outlook)

                                  •  The Box                        •  LinkedIn Learning        •  Sharepoint

However, some applications and resources will only be able to be accessed through UNSW’s Virtual Private Network (VPN). These include

                                  •  NS Finance                                          •  SiMs                     •  PiMs   

                                  •  Share Drive (FSAM) I & J Drives             •  Calumo                 • Restricted Library Resources

                                  •  Student and Staff home drives, H Drives                     • Astra                          • Confluence

                                   • Adobe Content Management System

The VPN service is available to all UNSW students, staff and affiliates.

Warning

Some countries restrict or regulate use of Encryption and VPN technologies.  Be aware of, and respect local laws that apply at your location, prior to using the UNSW VPN Service.

Installing and connecting to the UNSW VPN Software

Download the Cisco Anyconnect VPN software for installation on your desktop or laptop computer by visiting https://vpn.unsw.edu.au/ and signing in with your zID, or download the Cisco Anyconnect App from the store on your mobile device.  A full walkthrough of the installation is provided below.

Downloading the AnyConnect Client for the first time

Step 1 - Open up your Internet browser and enter the address below in your address bar: https://vpn.unsw.edu.au

Step 2 - Enter your zID and zPass in the Username and Password fields and click the Login button:

Login fields

Step 3 - You will see the UNSW IT Acceptable Use Policy displayed. Read the policy and click the Continue button if you agree to the terms:

Acceptable Use Policy

Step 4 - ActiveX settings might block the installation. If you see the following warning asking if you want to install the Client, click on the Install button:

Install the Client

Step 5 - Windows will ask if you want to Install the program, click Yes:

Install the program

Step 6 - Depending on which browser you are using, you may see the following warning. Click on the Allow button:

Warning icon

Step 7 - The installer will automatically install the client and try to connect to the VPN. You will see the following appear in your browser showing that the installation was successful:

The installer

Reconnecting Step 8 - You will then be automatically connected to the VPN. If you have been successful you will see Connection Established in the browser window:

Connection Established

You can also verify your connection by opening your icon taskbar in the bottom right menu bar and looking for the Cisco Anyconnect client icon shown below:

Cisco Anyconnect client icon

You can also double click the AnyConnect icon to look at the connection status:

AnyConnect icon

Disconnecting from the VPN

To disconnect from the VPN, double click the AnyConnect icon in the bottom right menu bar and click on the Disconnect button:

Disconnect button

 

Reconnecting to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Once you have installed the software successfully, you will no longer need to run the installation process again as the client will already be installed on your machine.

There are many ways to get to the Cisco AnyConnect Security Mobility Client, the easiest is to search 'Cisco' in your Windows start button. Once you have opened it the next five steps are:

Note: Make sure you check on the UNSW IT Website, with IT Service Centre or your local IT support which VPN group you belong to, unless you just require the generic VPN which is vpn.unsw.edu.au 

cisco vpn on SSO login process shown visually

 

Downloading the AnyConnect Client for the first time

Step 1 - Open up your Internet browser and enter in your address bar: vpn.unsw.edu.au

Step 2 - Enter your zID and zPass in the Username and Password fields and click the Login button:

Login details

 

Step 3 - You will see the UNSW IT Acceptable Use Policy displayed. Read the policy and click the Continue button if you agree to the terms:

Continue button

Step 4 - Once you click on continue you will be re-directed to website below, click on the Download for Windows button:

Download for Windows button

Step 5 - Cisco AnyConnect file will download to downloads and bottom left corner of screen:

Cisco AnyConnect file

Step 6 - Click on the arrow next .exe and then click Open:

Open button

Step 7 - Follow the setup wizard, click Next:

setup wizard

Step 8 - Click "I accept the terms in the License Agreement", then "Next":

Agree with the policies

Step 9 - Click "Install":

Click "Install"

Step 10 - Cisco AnyConnect Client will continue to install.

Continue to install

Step 11 - Click "Finish".

Finish button


 

Reconnecting to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Once you have installed the software successfully, you will no longer need to run the installation process again as the client will already be installed on your machine.

There are many ways to get to the Cisco AnyConnect Security Mobility Client, the easiest is to search 'Cisco' in your Windows start button. Once you have opened it the next five steps are:

Note: Make sure you check on the UNSW IT Website, with IT Service Centre or your local IT support which VPN group you belong to, unless you just require the generic VPN which is vpn.unsw.edu.au 

cisco vpn on SSO login process shown visually

 

 

Step 12 - Click on the arrow in the bottom right corner and confirm you're connected with padlock.

Confirm connected with padlock

 

Mac

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Downloading the AnyConnect Client for the first time

Step 1 - Open up your Internet browser and enter the address below in your address bar: vpn.unsw.edu.au

Step 2 - Enter your zID and zID Password in the Username and Password fields and click the Login button.

vpn.net.unsw.edu.au

Step 3 - You will see the UNSW IT Acceptable Use Policy displayed. Read the policy and click the Continue button if you agree to the terms:

vpn_user_policy

Step 4 - Click the "Download for macOS" button to download the VPN client for Mac and you can also click the "Instructions" button to display a detailed step by step instructions for your installation process.

vpn_download_mac

Step 5 - After downloading finished, please find the download file inside your Mac (usually inside the "Downloads" folder) and double click it to start the installation process:

vpn_download_mac_dmg

vpn_download_mac_pkg
vpn_mac_install

Please follow the Installation Instructions to finish your installation. Step by step Installation Instructions can be found on the download page above.  You will see the following appear in your browser showing that the install was successful::

vpn_install_mac_finish

Reconnecting to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Once you have installed the software successfully, you will no longer need to run the installation process again as the client will already be installed on your machine.

There are many ways to get to the Cisco AnyConnect Security Mobility Client, the easiest is to search 'Cisco' in your Windows start button:

You can now start the AnyConnect VPN client app by click the "Cisco AnyConnect...client.app" inside the "Cisco" subfolder under the Applications folder.

vpn_mac_applications_folder

You can also verify the VPN client is running by looking for the Cisco AnyConnect icon in the top menu bar:

vpn_mac_AnyConnect_icon_top_menu_bar

You can click the AnyConnect icon and select "Connect" to start to connect:

vpn_mac_top_icon_menu_connect

 

Once you have opened it the next five steps are:

Note: Make sure you check on the UNSW IT Website, with IT Service Centre or your local IT support which VPN group you belong to, unless you just require the generic VPN which is vpn.unsw.edu.au 

cisco vpn on SSO login process shown visually

You will successfully be connected to the VPN once you see the following icon in the top-right menu bar:

vpn_mac_top_icon_menu_connected

And the VPN client connection status will show Connected:

vpn_mac_connected

To disconnect, click the Cisco AnyConnect icon in the top menu bar and click Disconnect.

 

Disconnecting from the VPN

To disconnect from the VPN, click the AnyConnect icon in the top-right menu bar and click on the Disconnect button:

vpn_mac_top_icon_menu_disconnect

 

Disconnect button

 

Downloading the AnyConnect Client for the first time

Step 1 - Open up your Internet browser and enter the address below in your address bar: vpn.unsw.edu.au

Step 2 - Enter your zID and zID Password in the Username and Password fields and click the Login button:

Login details

Step 3 - You will see the UNSW IT Acceptable Use Policy displayed. Read the policy and click the Continue button if you agree to the terms:

Acceptable Use Policy

Step 4 - Java will load and try to automatically run the installation and connect:

Installation

Step 5 - If Java is not correctly installed you will need to manually install the client and a link to the download file will appear:

Manually install  the client

The following pop up will appear, click Save File:

Save File

Some browsers may display the script file in your browser when you try to download it. If this happens, click back in your browser and right Click on the Linux i386 link and click Save Link As:

Linux i386

Step 6 - Once downloaded, open a terminal window and go to the directory where the file was downloaded, for example:

Terminal window

Step 7 - Make sure that the script is executable:

 Script is executable

Step 8 - Install the Client (making sure you have administrative rights using “su” if required):

Install the Client

You will see the following:

Installed

Step 9 - To open the AnyConnect client, browse to Applications – Internet – Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client:

AnyConnect client

Step 10 - In the AnyConnect window, in the "Connect to" field type in: vpn.unsw.edu.au and click Connect:

"Connect to" field

Step 11 - Enter your UNSW zID and zID Password  in the Username and Password fields and click Connect:

Login details

If you are shown the UNSW Single Sign-On screen, enter your zID in the format zID@ad.unsw.edu.au and enter your password. You may be requested to authenticate using your Microsoft Authenticator app (or YubiKey).

Step 12 - The UNSW Acceptable Use Policy Banner will appear. Read it and click Accept if you agree to the terms:

Acceptable Use Policy

Step 13 - The AnyConnect client will appear in the top right menu bar once you have successfully connected:

Menu bar

 

Disconnecting from the VPN

To disconnect from the VPN, right click the AnyConnect icon on the top right menu bar and click Disconnect:

Disconnect button

 

Reconnecting to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN

To open the AnyConnect client, browse to Applications – Internet – Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client:

AnyConnect client

Once you have opened it the next five steps are:

Note: Make sure you check on the UNSW IT Website, with IT Service Centre or your local IT support which VPN group you belong to, unless you just require the generic VPN which is vpn.unsw.edu.au 

cisco vpn on SSO login process shown visually

 

iOS

add

Use the AnyConnect App to connect to the UNSW VPN from your iPhone or iPad, you need to download the free Cisco AnyConnect App From the App Store.

Step 1 - On first run, the App will ask if it can extend the VPN capabilities of your device, tap Ok in the pop up:

VPN capabilities

Tap on “Add VPN Connection”:

Add VPN Connection

Step 2 - Add UNSW VPN Details as follows:

Description: UNSW Server address: vpn.unsw.edu.au

UNSW Server address

Don’t change any details under the “Advanced” tab,and tap save in the top right corner.

Step 3 - Now UNSW details are saved, slide to AnyConnect VPN to On.

AnyConnect VPN

Step 4 - You’ll first received a pop up screen to enter your zID and zID Password :

Login details

Step 5 -You’ll then be asked to Accept the VPN Usage Policy:

Accept the VPN Usage Policy

Step 6 - You’re now connected to UNSW VPN.

UNSW VPN

On your home screen, you’ll see a VPN item in the menu bar while connected:

Menu bar

Disconnect from inside the Cisco App to end your VPN Session.

Note for iPads: Cisco AnyConnect is a universal app, and will work on iPads, using the same settings described above:

Cisco AnyConnect for iPad

Use the AnyConnect App to connect to the UNSW VPN from your Android device, you need to download the free Cisco AnyConnect App From the Google Play Store.

Step 1 - On first run, the App will ask you to Accept the License Agreement. Click Accept:

Accept the License Agreement

Step 2 - Click on “Add New VPN Connection”:

Add New VPN Connection

Step 3 - Add UNSW VPN Details as follows Description: UNSW Server address: vpn.unsw.edu.au

UNSW Server address

Don’t change any details under the “Advanced” tab, and click Done.

Step 4 - Now tap to connect to the UNSW VPN. You’ll be prompted to enter you zID and zID Password :

UNSW VPN

Step 5 - You’ll then be asked to Accept the VPN Usage Policy:

Accept the VPN Usage Policy

Step 6 - Finally, you’ll be asked to ‘trust’ the application. You’ll only need to do this once. Click the checkbox and then OK:

‘Trust’ the application

On your home screen, you’ll see a VPN item in the menubar while connected – depending on the device, it should look like a key or padlock:

Menu bar

Connecting to the VPN

When you open the VPN client application, the server address connection setting will determine which network devices will be available to you.

Cisco AnyConnect VPN exists on the Azure Single Sign-On (SSO) platform to improve application security and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). When signing in, you will be prompted to enter your zID in the format zID@ad.unsw.edu.au and may need to verify your sign-in using your authenticator.   

The general access VPN provides access to centralised services including email, file and print. This does not provide access to non-centralised services including RDP (remote access to computers) and Faculty based servers.

Use the default connection setting:

vpn.unsw.edu.au

Connect button

You can use the Library Resource VPN connection to access library resources as if you were physically located on campus, allowing access to geographically restricted websites when travelling to some locations abroad.  Using this VPN connection will send all of your internet traffic from your device through UNSW.

Before connecting with the VPN client, change the connection server address to:

vpn.unsw.edu.au/library

AnyConnect client icon

Remember to disconnect after you have finished, so that your internet traffic will no longer be sent via UNSW.

You may be directed to use a VPN connection that is specific to the group or faculty that you work with.  Authorisation to use these connections will be based on your role and affiliation at UNSW and may require additional approvals.

Before connecting with the VPN client, change the connection setting to the appropriate server address from the table below:

Group

VPN Server Address

Chief of Staff & Vice-President

vpn.unsw.edu.au/vcdivisn

Division Of Advancement Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/doa

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/dvca

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/dvcr

Executive Division Finance & Operations (EDFO) Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/edfo

Executive Division University Services Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/edus

Faculty of Arts & Social Science Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/fass

Faculty of Engineering Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/feng

Faculty of Engineering Research Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/feng_rsch

Faculty of Engineering For Ad Hoc users

vpn.unsw.edu.au/feng_adhoc

Faculty of Law Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/law

Faculty of Medicine Staff & Research Students

vpn.unsw.edu.au/fmed

Faculty of Medicine For Ad Hoc users

vpn.unsw.edu.au/fmed_adhoc

Faculty of Medicine – Hospitals

vpn.unsw.edu.au/hospital

UNSW Art & Design IT Staff

vpn.unsw.edu.au/fituad

UNSW Business School Staff & Research Students

vpn.unsw.edu.au/asb

UNSW Canberra     

vpn.unsw.edu.au/can

UNSW IT

vpn.unsw.edu.au/unswit

 

Example:

Connect button

 

Troubleshooting Guides

  • In order for VPN to work, you must be using the correct ‘Cisco AnyConnect VPN client’. This will allow you to securely and privately connect to the internet, and will provide you with a UNSW IP address. 

  • The correct version of the UNSW Cisco VPN can be downloaded to your home machine here: https://vpn.unsw.edu.au

  • You should also be using the correct VPN suffix for your faculty.

  • Network access to applications and services over VPN depends on the underlying end-to-end network. This usually includes non-UNSW network such as home WiFi and broadband ISP networks, which are outside the control of UNSW IT and may be a source of performance issues.

  • Working remotely over high-latency connections such as over a VPN can impact the performance of some applications, particularly applications designed to work on Local Area Networks such as file sharing and database access. If your work relies on applications that need low-latency network connections, other solutions such as myAccess may be more appropriate.

  • If you experience performance issues while connected to the Remote Access VPN service, consider disconnecting form the VPN when you do not need to use it

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