CITES VPN Configuration for Windows XP (64 bit)

This page is for University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff members using the 64-bit edition of Windows XP who want to connect to the CITES VPN.

These instructions will work for both regular XP and 64-bit XP users. However, the CITES VPN configuration utility will not work for 64-bit XP users. If you're not certain which version of XP you have, you can follow these directions.

Show all images | Hide all images

Configuring your system

1. Log in to your computer using an administrator account.

• On many Windows XP computers, this account will be named Administrator. Log in using Administrator as your username and the administrator account's password as the password.
• If someone else is your system administrator, you'll need their assistance to configure your CITES VPN connection.

2. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections.

3. If you see a two-column layout: Under the "Network Tasks" menu on the left, select Create a new connection. This starts the New Connection Wizard.
-or-
If you see several groups of icons without a left column: Under the "Wizard" group, double-click on New Connection Wizard.

Show image of first New Connection Wizard window

4. Click Next.

5. Select the Connect to the network at my work place radio button.

Show image

6. Click Next.

7. Select the Virtual Private Network connection radio button.

Show image

8. Click Next.

9. In the "Company Name" text box, enter CITES VPN.

Show image

10. Click Next.

Note: Step 10b below may or may not appear depending on your computer type and other network configuration options.

10b. If you are asked whether or not you should dial in to the network before connecting, choose No, and click Next.

11. In the "Host Name or IP Address" text box, enter vpn3.near.uiuc.edu

Show image

12. Click Next.

13. If you have more than one user account configured on your system, you may be asked whether this connection should be available to "All users" or for "My use only."

• If you have logged in to a different administrative account in order to set up the VPN configuration, select "All users." This way the VPN configuration will be available to your regular user account as well.
• If your current account is the same one you always use, select "My use only."

Click Next.

14. In the final wizard window, you'll have the option to select whether or not you wish to create a CITES VPN shortcut on your desktop.

Show image

15. Click Finish.

Making a VPN connection

1. To make a connection to the CITES VPN, you can:

• Double-click the CITES VPN icon on your desktop.
  or
• Navigate to Start > Connect To > CITES VPN.

The CITES VPN login window

Next, you'll see the CITES VPN login window.

Show login window image

2. Use the following information to log in:

• Login name: Your NetID
• Password: Your Active Directory password
  (Not sure what your Active Directory password is? Try your Express Email or NetFiles password, or reset your AD password at the CITES Password Manager.)

3. Click Connect.

Your computer will make a secure connection to the CITES VPN.

This may take several seconds depending on your location, and may take longer from off campus. (If you receive an error message, see the VPN FAQs for more information.)

When you're connected

Once you've connected, your computer will behave as though it were a part of the physical UIUCnet network, regardless of whether you're connecting from a UIUCnet Wireless or Walkup location, from a campus coffeeshop, or from around the world.

Your computer will receive an IP address which provides special access to protected parts of the campus network that aren't accessible to QuickConnect users or off-campus users.

While you're connected, another network icon will appear in the right-hand side of your taskbar, near the clock. It looks like a pair of computers:

You can right-click this icon to check the connection status, the amount of time you've been connected, and more.

Disconnecting when finished

When you're finished, right-click on the CITES VPN network icon and choose Disconnect:

More help

For more help, see the VPN FAQs or contact the CITES Help Desk.