VPN for Guests Using Windows XP

This page has information for guests of the University of Illinois who wish to use the CITES VPN with their Windows XP computers.

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Getting a guest account

Before you can access the CITES VPN, you must have a guest account. To find out more information about guest accounts, visit the Guest Services page.

If you already have a guest account, please continue reading for instructions on how to access the CITES VPN.

Configuring your connection

  1. In order to perform these steps, you'll need to be logged in as a user with administrator authorization on your computer.
    • If there is only one user name on the computer, it already has administrator authorization.
    • If there is an account named something like "Administrator" or "Admin," log in with that user name instead of your usual user name.
    • If someone else is your system administrator, you'll need their assistance.
  2. After you've logged in as an administrator, go to Start > Control Panel.
Expand sectionDoes your Control Panel look like this?

Control Panel, Category view

  1. Click Network and Internet Connections.
  2. Select Create a connection to the network at your workplace.
    (Next, go to the Network Connection step of the instructions.)
Expand section Or does your Control Panel look like this?

Control Panel, classic view

  1. Double-click Network Connections.
  2. Select Create a new connection from the left column.
    (Next, go to the Network Connection Type step of the instructions.)

Network Connection Type

  1. Choose Connect to the network at my workplace.
  2. Click Next.

Expand sectionShow the Network Connection Type window

Wizard, screen 1

 

Network Connection

  1. Choose Virtual Private Network connection.
  2. Click Next.

Expand sectionShow the Network Connection window

Wizard, step 2

Connection Name

  1. Name your VPN connection. (CITES VPN is shown, but you can use any name.)
  2. Click Next.

Expand section Show the Connection Name window

Wizard, step 3

VPN Server Selection

  1. When asked for the VPN server's name or IP address, enter vpn3.near.uiuc.edu
  2. Click Next.

Expand section Show the VPN Server Selection window

Wizard, step 4

Completing the New Connection Wizard

  1. Select the check box if you want a shortcut added to your desktop.
  2. Click Finish.
Expand section Show the Completing the New Connection Wizard window
New Connection Wizard, step 5

 

Getting connected

After you've set up your computer as described above, you can connect to the CITES VPN.

If you put a shortcut on your desktop, double-click it.
or
If you didn't put a shortcut on your desktop, your new connection can be found at:

Start > Connect To > CITES VPN
or
Start > Settings > Network Connections > CITES VPN

Expand sectionShow connection window

Connection window

Enter:

CITES does not recommend saving usernames and passwords in a connection window.

After you click Connect, your computer will try to make a connection to the CITES VPN. You'll see a success message and an additional network icon in the bottom right section of your Start menu. The icon representing the CITES VPN will look like your other network icons.

Network icon in taskbar

When you're connected, your computer has a secure connection to the University of Illinois campus. The CITES VPN gives you the same access you would have on the campus network, even though you're connecting from somewhere else.

Disconnecting when finished

When you're finished using the CITES VPN, right-click on the new network icon and choose Disconnect.

Right-clicking on the network icon for the VPN

If you're not sure which network icon to disconnect from, you can also go to Start -> Connect To -> CITES VPN , then click the Disconnect button in the Status window.

Expand section Show Status window
Alternate disconnect window

 

More help

For more help, see the VPN FAQs or contact the CITES Help Desk during the Help Desk's hours of operation.

CITES VPN