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VPN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following are the most commonly asked questions about The Library's VPN (Virtual Private Network). For answers to questions not addressed here, browse the web site or submit your question to the Comments page.

  1. What is VPN?
  2. Who can use VPN?
  3. When should I use the proxy server or VPN?
  4. How is VPN different from the proxy server?


  5. Can I use VPN with any web browser?
  6. Can I use VPN on a Macintosh?
  7. What about mobile devices?
  8. Can I use VPN from a home network?
  9. Can I use VPN through a firewall?
  10. Does VPN offer virus protection?


  11. How do I get the VPN software?
  12. Who installs the VPN software?
  13. How do I start up VPN?
  14. Can I set up the VPN client to automatically connect at startup?
  15. How do I know whether VPN is connected?
  16. How long can I stay connected via VPN?
  17. Can I continue to print while connected to the VPN?


  18. I haven't used VPN for a long time, and now it doesn't work.
  19. I use VPN but can't access licensed resources, or get incorrect results.
  20. My AOL dialup or broadband connection drops when I connect to the VPN, or doesn't connect at all. What can I do?
  21. I used VPN, then forgot to disconnect it. Is this a problem?
  22. I tried to uninstall VPN but it didn't work. What should I do?
  23. I still have a question about VPN. What should I do?
  1. What is VPN?
    VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that runs on your off-campus computer. After you log in with your CalNet ID and passphrase, VPN establishes a secure "tunnel" to the UC Berkeley network. When you use a VPN connection, your computer will have a UC Berkeley IP address instead of the one normally supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This allows you to use article databases, electronic journals, and other licensed resources found through the Library website and catalogs.


  2. Who can use VPN?
    To download and run the VPN software, you must be a current UC Berkeley student, faculty, or staff member with a CalNet ID. You can view a Network Service Eligibility Report describing your current status (those eligible for "Campus VPN: Full Tunnel" can use the Library VPN).

    Persons not affiliated with UC Berkeley cannot use the VPN system, but can use licensed electronic resources via public computers in the libraries. For more information, see Connecting from Off Campus.


  3. When should I use the proxy server or VPN?
    Most electronic resources are licensed by The Library from companies in business for profit. The terms of our contracts with these companies stipulate that The Library allow only UC faculty, students and staff to use these materials.

    Consequently, when you are off campus you will not be able to access many of the online journals and databases that you could access while on campus, unless you use the Library proxy server or Virtual Private Network (VPN).

    Note: For technical and contractual reasons there may be some resources that are not accessible from off campus at all.


  4. How is VPN different from the proxy server?
    The proxy server provides access to most licensed resources. However, some programs do not work with the proxy server. These require VPN for off-campus use: ARTstor (Macintosh only), Luna Insight, the java client in UC Image Service, and the Connect function in EndNote.

    Another difference is that the proxy server requires a one-time change in your web browser settings, then prompts you when you need to log in. VPN is a "client" software program that you download and install on your computer. You must run the VPN client each time you want to use licensed resources.


  5. Can I use VPN with any web browser?
    VPN will work with any standard web browser that supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) - for example, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari. It will work over most types of Internet connection, except AOL.


  6. Can I use VPN on a Mac?
    Yes, just follow our VPN Instructions for Macintosh computers.


  7. What about mobile devices?
    VPN works on iOS devices such as the iPad, and should work on "netbooks" and other portable Windows and Macintosh computers. VPN clients are also available for some (but not all) Android devices; we are working on instructions for this.


  8. Can I use VPN from a home network?
    As long as your web browser supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), as most browsers do, VPN should work if your computer connects to the Internet via a home network. It has been used successfully with a number of wireless routers, such as Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, and Apple Airport Base Station (except the Graphite model).


  9. Can I use VPN through a firewall?
    If you are having trouble connecting and have a firewall, you can test it by disabling the firewall and trying again.

    If your computer is behind a firewall that restricts access by IP address, its settings may need to be modified to allow access via the VPN. For more information see this UC Berkeley IST Knowledge Base article.


  10. Does VPN offer virus protection?
    No. VPN provides security by encrypting and decrypting data that passes through a VPN connection; it does not offer protection from viruses or other malware.


  11. How do I get the VPN software?
    Our VPN instructions for Macintosh and Windows computers guide you through the process of downloading and installing the VPN client software.


  12. Who installs the VPN software?
    You, the user. At home, on your personal computer, you are responsible for selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP), coordinating installation, and installing any required software. This includes the VPN client. You should not need to use the VPN from an on-campus computer.


  13. How do I start up VPN?
    Please see our instructions on "Using VPN" for Windows and Macintosh computers.


  14. Can I set up the VPN client to automatically connect at startup?
    No, the Cisco VPN client cannot automate the login process.


  15. How do I know whether VPN is connected?
    Please see the illustrations for Windows and Macintosh computers.


  16. How long can I stay connected via VPN?
    The VPN will automatically disconnect after your Internet connection is inactive for 30 minutes.


  17. Can I continue to print while connected to the VPN?
    If the printer is physically attached to your computer, it should continue to work while your VPN connection is active.

    If the printer is connected via a wireless or other Local Area Network, you will have to change a setting in the VPN client to "enable local LAN access". See our instructions for details.

    You can also defer printing by choosing the "print to file" option to save the print stream on your computer, then print the resulting file after you disconnect from the VPN.


  18. I haven't used VPN for a long time, and now it doesn't work.
    UC Berkeley has changed its VPN software, and the previous version will no longer work. Users who have not upgraded to the new "AnyConnect" program since July 13, 2009 can do this with     these instructions.


  19. I use VPN but can't access licensed resources, or get incorrect results.
    Products such as Google Web Accelerator and the Firefox plugin DownThemAll can make web pages load more quickly. However, they can also cause problems when using electronic information resources that the library subscribes to, such as journal article databases.

    When you try to use these resources through a web accelerator, it comes between your computer and the website you are using, masking your UC Berkeley IP address and caching pages from the site for later use. Consequently, you may not get correct results or may not be able to log in at all. This can happen whether you are on or off campus, and even when you are using our proxy service or VPN.

    For this reason, we recommend turning off your web accelerator before using our website, or setting it to ignore specific databases, etc. that you plan to use. Please see the     Wikipedia article about Google Web Accelerator.


  20. My AOL dialup or broadband connection drops when I connect to the VPN, or doesn't connect at all. What can I do?
    The VPN client will not work with AOL dialup or AOL Broadband services. When connected to the VPN via AOL dialup service, the VPN client disconnects after a few seconds. This happens because of a "connection keep-alive" sent by AOL. When connected to the VPN, the AOL server doesn't recognize that the connection is now being sent through the VPN, and is lead to believe that the machine is no longer connected to its network. Since it no longer sees the client, it disconnects the session. This is expected behavior from AOL connected clients. AOL does not claim to provide any support for VPN on their infrastructure. Solution: Use a different ISP if you need to connect to the UC Berkeley VPN.


  21. I used VPN, then forgot to disconnect it. Is this a problem?
    No, but while your VPN was connected, all your Internet traffic passed through the UC Berkeley VPN server. This slowed down your connection to Internet resources that did not require use of the VPN. The VPN software will "time out" after 30 minutes of no activity, but we recommend disconnecting it when you are finished with your session.


  22. I tried to uninstall VPN but it didn't work. What should I do?
    Unfortunately this can happen for a number of reasons. Please contact the help services listed below.


  23. I still have a question about VPN. What should I do?
    » If your question is about installing, or running VPN:

    Students: visit the Student Computer Consulting Service; you can make an appointment online.

    Faculty and Staff: contact the IST Service Desk (connecting@berkeley.edu; 510-642-8500; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

    » If your question is about accessing library resources:

    Contact the Library via the Library Web Comment Form.

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