Question
How do I connect to the Campus VPN?
Overview
You should use the Campus Virtual Private Network (VPN) anytime you access UC Davis restricted resources from any off-campus location, including your home. The VPN encrypts traffic from your computer to the UC Davis network, creating a secure connection.
Prerequisites for using the Campus VPN
- Active UC Davis computing account.
- Duo multi-factor authentication account at UC Davis. If you don't have Duo at UC Davis yet, see Getting Started with Duo.
For more information about the Campus VPN, see KB0005715.
First time VPN setup help
Signing in to Campus VPN steps and tips
If you need to access off campus restricted resources, choose full tunneling or use the library’s VPN.
If you are connecting from China, Hong Kong, or Macao please use cn.vpn.ucdavis.edu.
If you've set up VPN before, and just need to sign into it, use these instructions.
Answer
First time VPN setup:
The following steps are for Windows computers. Mac users may have a different experience but can use these steps for general guidance.
- Go to vpn.ucdavis.edu.
Notes for first time users:- On the first screen, you’ll see instructions on how to use Duo with the VPN. If you just enrolled in Duo, you may wish to review the instructions.
- Choose the Browser or Client (aka Pulse Connect Secure) version, depending on whether you’ll use the VPN through your web browser, or by installing the client on your computer (or other device).
- Press Proceed to go to the login page.
- At the UC Davis VPN login screen, enter your campus username and passphrase.
On the DUO OTP/Command field you have several options:
-
- If you want Duo to send a push, type the word "push". This is the recommended method.(Requesting a push will send a message to your smartphone, which you approve on your phone.)
- If you want Duo to call your phone, type the word "phone".
- Enter the passcode from your hard token or the Duo app on your phone into the Secondary Password field.
- The following screen appears.
In general you should choose Split tunnel, unless:
• You need to access academic resources available through the UC Davis libraries
• You need to access health.ucdavis.edu while connected to the VPN
5. On the Role Selection Notification screen, click Proceed.
6. The Pulse Secure Login screen appears. Click Start.
7. You will be led through the download and installation process. In most cases, you will need administrative access on your computer in order to install the software. Contact your local IT support if you need help.
8. If you see the button to Open Pulse Secure Application Launcher button, click it.
9. Verify that you are connected to VPN.
Windows users :
Look in your “System Tray” on the bottom right of your screen. The Pulse Secure icon with a green up arrow indicates that you are connected to VPN.
Mac users:
Note:
- The VPN will time out after 2 hours of inactivity.
- Sessions last 10 hours maximum.
Signing in to Campus VPN
After you have set up the VPN, you can connect in this simpler way:
- Launch Pulse Secure.
- Windows - From the Start Menu or right click the Pulse Secure icon in taskbar
- Mac - From Applications or the click the icon in notification area.
- Next to vpn.ucdavis.edu, click Connect.
3. On the next window, click Proceed.
4. Enter your campus login information, check Save settings, and click Connect.
5. A secondary login prompt will appear.
-
- If you want Duo to send a push, type the word "push" in the Secondary Password field. *This is the recommended method.
- If you want Duo to call your phone, type the word "phone" in the Secondary Password field.
- Enter the passcode from your hard token or the Duo app on your phone into the Secondary Password field.
- Check the Save settings checkbox (so Pulse Secure will remember your login information), then click Connect.
6. Select Split or Full Tunnel, then click Connect.
In general you should choose Split tunnel, unless:
• You need to access academic resources available through the UC Davis libraries
• You need to access health.ucdavis.edu while connected to the VPN
7. Click Proceed on the following window.
You are now connected to VPN.