The thing called VPN is everywhere, especially in this digital era. In the world of University of Texas at San Antonio, there is also VPN, which is more known as UTSA VPN. If you are not familiar with it as it is the first time you hear the name, you can consider yourself lucky as you will be informed about in this post. Keep scrolling and keep reading and if it is needed, you can take note so that you can open what is written on the note later.
UTSA VPN is the thing known as the service that provides a secure connection to the campus network from any location. Everything will go well as long as there is a good internet connection. In order to connect to the UTSA VPN, here are the steps to follow:
- The first thing that you need to do is to open a web browser and go to https://vpn.utsa.edu. Using Google Chrome is not recommended as it will not work with UTSA VPN. In order to use UTSA VPN, the UTSA VPN, it is better for you to use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox for the Windows users and Apple’s Safari for Mac OS X.
- When it opens, enter your myUTSA and passphrase before clicking the Login button.
- You will be prompted by the myUTSA ID+ powered by DUO to the two factor authentication method that you have selected before. If it is the first time you use the VPN, you will need to install the VPN client first. the plugin installation will show up differently and it has something to do with the browser that you choose. When you are asked to install, do it and when the plugin installation has completed, you can restart the computer.
- Once the connection is made, you will see that the f5 VPN Client will show connected.
Keep in mind that the guide is for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Mac OS X. Depending on the browser that you use, the messages that are displayed on the screen might be different. You might be prompted to download or to install a plugin. In case you have a hard time while connecting the VPN, you can call 210 458 555 or send an email to Tech Café.
After successfully connecting to UTSA VPN, you are directly connected to the UTSA network as if you were on campus. Feel free to access any UTSA applications that are only able to work on the UTSA network such as Banner, Define, Insight, and any other department specific applications. Here is the list of the things that require a UTSA VPN:
- Administrative systems such as InSight, Banner, Define, and departmental applications
- UTSConnect Self Service Portal (IT requests)
- Network shared drives I: & S:*
- Printing to UTSA network printers
- Remote desktop
- System Endpoint Anti-Virus Protection
- Windows updates managed by OIT when away from campus
- Back-up your computer profile when away from campus (CrashPlan Pro Enterprise)
- Alertus Emergency and IT Outage Notification System
- Virus Protection Definition Updates (Microsoft System Endpoint Protection)
While these things need UTSA VPN, there are some other ones that do not need it, such as:
- Email access via Outlook Web Access or OWA
- All Office 365 applications such as OneDive for Business, SharePoint, Skype for Business
- Blackboard Learn
- ASAP
- UT Direct
- UTShare/PeopleSoft
These followings will explain about some of the points mentioned above.
Remoting to your desktop:
When you are in a situation when you are away from the campus and you have to access your UTSA desktop computer, fortunately, there is a program named Windows Remote Desktop that can be used to earn access just like you sit in front of the UTSA desktop computer. For those with a Mac computer, you will have to download the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client to be able to use the remote desktop.
Printing:
Everyone is able to add a UTSA network printer as long as they are connecting to the UTSA VPN. it is similar to when on the UTSA campus network. Once it has been added, it is a must for you to get connected to the VPN in order to print to a UTSA network printer in case you are off campus.
Back up, protect assigned assets, and update systems:
It is worth noting that there is no way for the applications such as System Center Endpoint Anti-Virus software and CrashPlan Pro Enterprise to back up (CrashPlan) or update with the newest virus protection definitions (Endpoint Protection) for the use of UTSA computer assets that is away from the UTSA campus that is not connected to the campus network. It will only possible when you are connected to VPN or until the next time your computer is wired connected to the campus network or on campus.
Access network shared drives I: & S: for departmental files and category I data access:
For the network shared drives, it is stated that the access it automatically configured for every faculty and staff employee of University of Texas at San Antonio when they sign in to a UTSA computer asset as part of a login script asking the computer to link to the personal I: and or department S: network shared drive for which the user has been granted access. As the rule is specific for every user, you are suggested to only try to access I: or S: network shared drives off a UTSA computer asset.
If the information of how to connect to UTSA VPN and some other ones is not clear, you are encouraged to visit the official website of University of Texas at San Antonio at utsa.edu. If you still cannot find the information that you are looking for on the website, you might want to contact Tech Café by sending the team an email. If you want to get direct response, the best thing that you can do is to call 210 458 5555.
