CITES VPN Configuration for Windows Vista
University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff can use these directions to set up their Windows Vista computers to connect to the CITES VPN (Virtual Private Network).
If you have a guest account, you should use the guest instructions for Windows Vista instead.
Vista-compatible software coming soon: CITES is working on developing a Vista-compatible software package that will handle the configuration process for you. This page will be updated when the Vista-compatible software is available.
Configuring a VPN connection
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- 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.
- Under the Start menu, go to the Network option, then select Network and Sharing Center (the button in the top center of the window).
- In the Network and Sharing Center window, select Set up a connection or network from the list of options in the left column. The New Connection Wizard will start.
Choose a connection option
- Select Connect to a workplace.
- Click Next.
Show the "Set up a connection or network" window
How do you want to connect?
Select Use my Internet connection (VPN).
Type the Internet address to connect to
Use the following settings:
- Internet address: vpn3.near.uiuc.edu
- Destination name: CITES VPN
- Check the "Allow other people to use this connection" option. Vista will prompt you to confirm this. (This option allows you to use the VPN as a regular user, once you've finished making the configuration as an administrator.)
- Check the "Don't connect now; just set it up so I can connect later" option. (This will prevent Vista from trying to connect before you've had a chance to finish all the steps.)
- Click Next.
Type your username and password
Use the following settings:
- Login name: Your NetID
- Password: Your Active Directory password
(For more information about your Active Directory password, please contact the CITES Help Desk) - Leave both "Show characters" and "Remember this password" unchecked.
- Leave the "Domain" entry field blank.
- Click Create.
Last "New Connection Wizard" step
Next, you'll be asked if you want to connect.
Don't connect right now; instead, close the window and return to the Network and Sharing Center window that you opened in step 2.
Setting connection properties
In the Network and Sharing Center, click on the Manage network connections item. The Network Connections window will have a new entry for your VPN connection:

Right-click on this entry and select Properties. (Vista
will prompt you to confirm this.)
Next, choose the Security tab.
- Select the Advanced (custom settings) radio button.
- Click Settings.
- In the Advanced Security Settings window, the following options should be selected:
- Data encryption: Require encryption (disconnect if server declines)
- Allow these protocols: Microsoft CHAP version 2 (MS-CHAP v2)
- Click OK in the Advanced Security Settings window.
- In the Properties window, select the Networking tab next.
- Select PPTP VPN from the "Type of VPN" list at the top of the tab.
- Click OK.
Show the Security tab of the Properties window

Show Advanced Security Settings window
Show the Networking tab of the Properties window
To make the CITES VPN shortcut easier to find for later connections, you can drag and drop a copy of it from the Manage network connections window to your desktop. |
|
Show
the VPN shortcut you'll see in the Manage Network Connections
window
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Making a VPN connection
To make a connection to the CITES VPN, you can:
- Double-click the CITES VPN shortcut on your desktop.
or - Navigate to Start > Connect To and choose CITES
VPN in the window that appears.
or - Navigate to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network
Connections and select the CITES VPN shortcut.
Show the login window
Use the following information to log in:
- Login name: Your NetID
- Password: Your Active Directory password
(For more information about your Active Directory password, please contact the CITES Help Desk)
Your computer's VPN client will make a secure connection to the campus VPN. (This may take several seconds depending on your location, and may take longer from off campus.)
While 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, click on the network icon in the taskbar and choose Connect or Disconnect from the menu that appears.

The Connect to a network window will appear. Select your VPN connection from the list and click Disconnect.
Show the 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.
