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VPN Access

Introduction

To improve our network security, the University of Iowa has implemented a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN provides secure off-campus access to UI resources, restricted websites, and servers. If you want to connect to a resource or use Remote Desktop to access your Tippie PC, you will have to install the university’s VPN client and log in to UI Anywhere (vpn.uiowa.edu) before establishing a connection. The client is called Cisco AnyConnect.

How to Download and Use AnyConnect

Click on a link below for detailed instructions.

How to install the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client
  1. Log in to helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/software/signin.htm
    1. Username: iowa\YourHawkID
    2. Password: Your HawkID password
  2. Click on the "Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client" link (fourth item in the list)
  3. Log in a second time with your HawkID and password
  4. Select the installation file that corresponds with your operating system (most often Windows)
  5. Save the file to your computer (in Downloads, My Documents, or to the Desktop)
  6. Click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard, and accept the default installation configurations
How to run the Cisco AnyConnect Client
  1. Click on your computer's "Start" button (lower-left icon) and select "All Programs"
  2. Open the "Cisco" folder, then the "Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client" folder
  3. Click on the "Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client" icon
  4. Connect to: vpn.uiowa.edu
  5. Click the "Select" button
  6. Leave the Group set at Default, and log in with your HawkID and password
  7. Click the "Connect" button (the connection process will take 15-20 seconds)
  8. After connecting, the Cisco client will automatically minimize to your taskbar
How to connect to your Tippie computer
  1. Click the "Start" button and type “remote” in the Search field
  2. After you hit return, Remote Desktop may start automatically; if not, select it from the list brought up by the search
  3. Type your computer's name in the computer field. For example: pbb-w543-2.iowa.uiowa.edu (pbb-office number-computer number.iowa.uiowa.edu)
  4. Click the "Connect" button
  5. Log on to IOWA with your HawkID and password
How to map to your H: drive (Scout2)
  1. Select "Map network drive" in the computer (Windows Explorer) toolbar, or right click on Computer and select "Map network drive..."
  2. Select a drive letter (use H: unless your computer at home already has an H: drive mapped).
  3. Type the path to your home directory in the folder field. For example: \\scout2\users\dept where dept is the abbreviation for your department or unit (Acct, Careers, Deans, Econ, Finance, IEM, JPEC, Market, Mgmtorg, MgtSci, SBDC, SoM, STSG, UPO).
  4. Ensure that the "Reconnect at logon" and the "Connect using different credentials" checkboxes are unchecked
  5. Click the "Finish" button
  6. When asked for your credentials, use your HawkID (IOWA\HawkID) and password
How to map to Web Server content drive (Tippieweb)
  1. Select "Map network drive" in the computer (Windows Explorer) toolbar, or right click on Computer and select "Map network drive..."
  2. Select a drive letter (use W: unless your computer at home already has an W: drive mapped)
  3. Type \\tippie.uiowa.edu\webcontent into the folder field
  4. Ensure that the "Reconnect at logon" and the "Connect using different credentials" checkboxes are unchecked
  5. Click the "Finish" button
  6. When asked for your credentials use your HawkID (IOWA\HawkID) and password
How to disconnect from the UI VPN

After you end your Remote Desktop session,

  1. Open AnyConnect by clicking on the icon in your taskbar, or go to "Start > All Programs > Cisco > Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client"
  2. Click the "Connection" tab
  3. Click the "Disconnect" button
  4. Close the window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner