VPN allows you to access Hampshire servers, such as newmisserver, from home. If you're planning to use it you should install and test it before you need it. And with more snow likely to come, best to do it now.

What is VPN?
VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network." It's an extension of a private network that allows access from other networks. In practical terms, it will allow you access to Hampshire's private network resources from off campus.

Do you Need VPN?

You do need VPN to access the following services from off campus:

• newmisserver and other Hampshire servers
• On-campus printers
• Web UI interface to Datatel
• Athena Course Websites 

You do not need VPN to access the following services from off campus:

• Hampshire Email
• Intranet
• The Hub
• Moodle Course Websites
• RedDot CMS
• Hampedia 

Where to Find the Instructions
You don't need any special software to setup VPN from a Macintosh or Windows computer, but you do need instructions. Because these instructions include a password that would allow anyone reading them access to Hampshire's internal network, we keep them in a private part of the network on the Hampshire Intranet. Instructions can be found on the VPN Instructions page on the Intranet by clicking here

Installation and Testing
Follow the instructions provided to set up VPN. Once you've done this, it's important to test that it's working before you actually need to use VPN from home. Unfortunately, to test the full functionality you have to be off campus.

To test (and use) VPN on a Windows computer:

1. First, connect to your home network as you normally would. It can be either wired or wireless.
2. During the VPN installation you were given an option to put a shortcut on the desktop. Double-click on the VPN shortcut icon.
3. Enter your HampNet user name and password if prompted.
4. You should now be connected and able to access newmisserver. Try accessing one of your network drives to test it out.

To test (and use) VPN on a Macintosh computer:

1. First, connect to your home network as you normally would. It can be either wired or wireless.
2. During the VPN installation you were given an option to show the VPN status in your menubar; you should see a new icon up where the menus are. Click on the VPN menu and select "Conect Hampshire VPN."
3. Enter your HampNet user name and password if prompted.
4. You should now be connected and able to access newmisserver.

If you find that your connection isn't working, pull out those instructions you saved earlier, and walk through the process again, either editing your previous set-up or deleting it and starting from scratch.