How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.

9
Quick guide

Open System Preferences then the Network preference pane.

Configuring an existing VPN (PPTP) type connection.

Along the left hand side there should be a VPN (PPTP) item listed

Select the VPN type item you wish to configure and enter in the following settings:

Configuration: Default

Server Address: vpn.soton.ac.uk

Account Name: <your username>

(e.g. abc12u11 without the < > brackets)

Encryption: Automatic (128 bit or 40 bit)

Tick Show VPN status in menu bar

Make sure there are no spaces in the text either side of the Server Address or your University of
Southampton Username.
For security reasons, we advise that you DO NOT enter or store your password in this section.

Finally click Apply to save these settings

Click the Advanced button and tick to send all traffic over VPN connection

To check/change the service order, click on the cog wheel in the bottom left of the Network
pane (illustrated opposite) and choose Set Service Order from the menu.

Drag and Drop the UoS VPN service to be ABOVE the Ethernet and Wireless services
again, as shown opposite.

Under the VPN > Advanced Settings

Click on the VPN icon in the menu bar and choose Connect UoS VPN from the menu.

Enter in your University of Southampton Password when prompted and click OK.

Turn over for more detailed description of the steps

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
iSolutions - VPN Service - Macintosh 10.6-10.9 Setup Guide
This is a guide to configuring a Macintosh to use the VPN (virtual private networking) service. This is
required for connecting to resources and services which are restricted to University of Southampton
domains only.

Before you begin

1. You should not generally need the VPN service if connecting on site.
2. To connect to this service you first require an active Internet connection.
3. These instructions are intended to work for most computers. If you experience difficulties,
please contact our iSolutions ServiceLine for advice.

Macintosh with OS X Operating System Versions 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and later
1. Open the 'System Preferences' window and then open the 'Network' preference pane
You can find a link to System Preferences in the Apple menu.

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
2 Creating a VPN connection
1. Click on the + button at the bottom left of the Network Preference pane:

2. Then choose and enter these details:

o

Interface: VPN

VPN Type: PPTP

Service Name: UoS VPN

(The Service Name can be anything you like that best describes what it is
connecting to)

3. Click Create:

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps

Then, with the new VPN interface in the interface list selected, enter in these VPN settings:
o

Configuration: Default

Server Address: vpn.soton.ac.uk

Account Name: <your username>

(e.g. abc12u11 without the < > brackets)

Encryption: Automatic (128 bit or 40 bit)

Tick the Show VPN status in menu bar checkbox

Make sure there are no spaces in the text either side of the Server Address or your University of
Southampton Username.

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
For security reasons, we advise that you DO NOT enter or store your password in this section.
Finally click Apply to save these settings and then move onto Section 3

3. IMPORTANT - Advanced Configuration: All traffic must be routed across the VPN (otherwise your
connection will be refused)
Enable Send all traffic over VPN connection checkbox in the VPN Advanced settings.

4 Advanced Configuration: Setting the Service Order

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
In order for the VPN to work correctly in OSX 10.6 and above, the Service Order of the VPN must be
ABOVE all other services.
To check/change the service order, click on the cog wheel in the bottom left of the Network pane
(illustrated opposite) and choose Set Service Order from the menu.

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps

Drag and Drop the UoS VPN service to be ABOVE the Ethernet and Wireless services again, as
shown below:

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
5. Connecting to the VPN service.
Click on the VPN icon in the menu bar and choose Connect UoS VPN from the menu.

Enter in your University of Southampton Password when prompted and click OK.

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
This will then attempt to connect to the VPN server address (This is where you will need a working
Internet connection already running). If successful you should see the status change to Connected
and a VPN timer will appear in the menu bar counting up your connected time, second by second :
You can also see feedback on VPN activity under the Network System Preference pane, including
connection time, the assigned IP address, data being sent and received over VPN. Notice also that
the traffic light indicator for the UoS VPN connection has turned green, and that connection has
moved to the top of the list, above the other connected network interface (in this case Wi-Fi):

If you cannot initiate this connection successfully, then please check your username and password,
the Server address, or consult our support web pages.

How to set up VPN on Mac OSX10.610.9

Detailed steps
6. VPN Connection, Status and how to Disconnect.
You should now have an active VPN connection to the universitys data network. There will now be a
connection symbol and a timer in the menu bar while the VPN connection is active.
All of your internet traffic is now being routed via the university network and firewall and your
computer should now have a University IP network address. This will allow you access to university
network and online library resources but be aware that you are now subject to the universitys
network and Internet usage policy.
To disconnect you can click on the VPN connection status icon and click the Disconnect button.

These instructions are intended to work for most computers. If you experience difficulties, please
see the VPN (virtual private networking) service and VPN Support and Troubleshooting pages for
more information or contact our iSolutions ServiceLine for advice.
http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/troubleshooting.html
University of Southampton
Last reviewed: 07/02/2014 by ARN/NW
http://www.southampton.ac.uk