Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN is a program that encrypts data before it is sent across a network. The program is required at CUMC for two primary uses:

• Connecting to the Rome wireless network on campus.
  Rome is currently available at specific locations on campus. When possible, please use the Athens wireless network since it is newer and available in more locations. It is fine to configure your system to connect to both Rome and Athens.
• Connecting to on-campus resources from off-campus computers.
  Connecting from off site with VPN requires additional information from your technical support group. If you will be connecting to a specific server or department drive, you must obtain assistance or instructions on how to configure the off site computer ahead of time.  Since this information varies greatly, please contact the IT staff that manages the resources you will be connecting to, or your Department Administrator if you are not sure who manages it.

Installation Instructions
NOTE: These installations are for West Campus only. To use them, your primary affiliation must be with the Columbia University Medical Center. If your primary affiliation is with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, please call extension 4-Help for assistance.

If you already have Cisco VPN installed and only need the West Campus entry settings, please click here (UNI login required).
For complete installation instructions, please select the appropriate link for your operating system:

• Windows XP, 2000 and NT (please click here for important information about 64-bit systems)
• Macintosh OS X - versions 10.2 (Jaguar) and later. VPN is not available for older versions of the Macintosh OS.
• Windows Vista

• Windows 98 and ME
• Linux

1. Click here to download the client software. When prompted, select "Save" to save it on to your hard drive.
   
   
   
   
   
2. When the download completes, select "Run". If you do not see this window, go to the folder where you saved the download and double-click on the "WEST CAMPUS" icon, selecting "Run" to start the install.
   
   
   
   
   
3. If you see a Security Warning window listing "Name: WEST-CAMPUS-CLIENT.exe", select Run.
   
   
   
   
   
4. At the Welcome window, select "Next" to continue.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Select "Finish" to accept the default destination folder and continue. The VPN setup will begin.
6. At the Cisco Systems VPN Client Setup window, select "Next".
7. At the next window, select "Yes" to accept the software license agreement.
   
   
   
   
   
8. At the following two windows, select "Next" to install the VPN Client in the default locations.
   
   
   
   
   
9. This window will appear while the software updates your computer's settings. It may take a few minutes to complete.
   
   
   
   
   
10. At the end of the installation you must restart your computer. Please select "Yes, I want to restart my computer now", then "Close". Your computer will reboot (if not automatically, please select Start - Turn Off - Restart), and the installation will be complete.

1. Select the VPN icon on your desktop, or in the system tray in the lower right hand corner of the computer (near the time).  The icon is a yellow padlock; if you do not see it you can also select it from your program list by going to Start - Programs - Cisco Systems VPN Client - VPN Client.
2. Select your desired Connection and double-click on the "Connect" button.
   
   • To connect to the Rome wireless network on campus, select West Campus Wireless.
     Your computer's wireless card must already be connected to Rome in order for VPN to work.
   • To connect from off site, select West Campus Remote Access.
     You must already be connected to the Internet in order for the connection to work.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Enter your Columbia UNI and Password (if you have an NYP NetID, this will work as well). Then select "OK".
   
   
   
   
   
4. At the next pop up window, select "Continue"; you are now securely connected with VPN.
   
   
   

1. Open the VPN client window again, as in step 1 of Connecting to VPN above.
2. Double-click on the "Disconnect" icon in the upper left corner of the VPN window. After a moment, the status of the client will read "Not Connected". You can then close VPN.