Introduction

Certain campus network services will provide full access only to computers that have a campus IP address, and the number of services with restrictions will continue to grow. The VPN system is the only way for off-campus users connecting through third-party ISP connections to gain an on-campus networking identity, in the form of an on-campus IP address, in order to access these restricted services.

When you will need a campus IP address to access campus services

If the machine you are trying to connect to has been placed under partial or complete campus firewall restrictions, you will be able to access it only when your machine identifies itself as part of the UIUCnet network. That means either being on campus and using campus-provided connections, or using the CITES VPN system with a third-party ISP connection.

When you won't need a campus IP address to access campus services

You can access the most common campus services, such as Google Apps @ Illinois, Microsoft Exchange's web interface, public web servers, and Bluestem-protected pages,* without a campus IP address.

*Bluestem-protected pages include sites such as the Human Resources department's NESSIE and many departments' internal web sites. For more information about Bluestem, see Bluestem for campus users.

When you may need more assistance to connect

Sometimes, using the CITES VPN system will not completely eliminate your remote access problem. In this case, contact your network administrator or system administrator to ask for the CITES VPN system's IP addresses to be added to the list of permitted IP addresses, and to clear up any details regarding any possible additional authentication requirements expected by that system.

If you have a firewall and/or a cable modem between your location and the CITES VPN system, you may have some additional difficulties making a VPN connection. For more information, see the Troubleshooting a Wired or Off-Campus VPN Connection page.