Accessing the Internet via VPN

VPN

With an access via VPN (Virtual Private Network) with which you can tunnel your connection through the university network, all your data traffic will run through an encrypted connection via our VPN-servers.

Why do you need VPN access?

Some services require you to connect to the internet through the university network, some of which are licensed offers like software or security sensitive systems like the flextime system.

For this we offer access via VPN (Virtual Private Network) with which you can tunnel your connection through the university network. All your data traffic will run through an encrypted connection via our VPN-servers. For the time you use this connection you get an IP-address from the university network.

Advantages of VPN

  1. Licensing
    You need an IP-address from the university network to use licensed services like software or e-books, only members of the university have access to.
     
  2. Data security
    Your files are protected from unauthorized access by the encrypted connection. That is why some services like e.g. our flextime system or backup-service (TSM) can only be accessed from a protected network.
     
  3. Data security in public networks
    When accessing e-mails or other personal files while in a public Wi-Fi network it is reasonable to use an encrypted connection. This way your files cannot be spied out by people without authorization.

Because of licensing reasons, access to the university network via VPN is only possible for members of the university. 

How Can You Use VPN?

A secured connection to the university network can be established by using the open source VPN client “openconnect”. Some Linux OS distributions have this client preinstalled (e.g. Fedora Linux). For other Linux/Unix distributions you can install the client easily via the package manager.

Openconnect is also available for Windows, macOS as well as mobile operating systems.

Openconnect has the advantage that you can save your password inside of the app.

You can find tutorials on how to install openconnect under