Installing and Running the VPN Client for Macintosh

System Requirements

Make sure that your system meets all of the following requirements before proceeding:

Your PowerBook must be running OSX 10.1 or higher.
You must have a wireless card or adapter installed and running properly.
You must be located in an area serviced by a wireless access point.
Your Internet browser must have the latest version of Aladdin Stuff-it Expander.

You will also need an Infoweb account in order to authenticate to the wireless network.

Connecting to a Wireless Access Point

In System Preferences under the Apple menu, select Network. Select your wireless device (Airport, D-link adapter, etc…) from the “Show” drop-down menu. Under the TCP/IP tab, make sure that the IP configuration is set to “Using DHCP”. Click “Apply now” and close the System Preferences panel.

There should be an icon representing your wireless device next to the date and time applet on your menu bar. Use this icon to see if your local access point is detected. If not, you will need to scan for available access points. Once an access point is detected, connect to it.

You don’t need any passwords or extra configurations at this point. The connection should be automatic.

You may go back to Network settings in System Preferences to make sure that your machine has picked up an IP address that begins with 137.122.xxx.xxx.

Note: Depending on where you are connecting from, it may take a minute or so for your wireless card to pick up an IP address.

Obtaining and Installing the Cisco VPN Client

Once your computer is connected to the campus wireless network, you will need to install a virtual private network (VPN) client in order to access the Internet. You may download the VPN client from /downloade.html

The file downloaded to your computer will be a .zip archive. Double-click on the .zip archive to extract the UOMACVPNClient402.dmg file. Double-click on the UOMACVPNClient402.dmg file. A disk image called UPVPNClient will be created on your desktop.

Inside UOVPNClient you will find the installer file (Cisco VPN Client.mpkg) and a Profiles folder where the configuration profiles of various University of Ottawa VPN services are located.

Double-click Cisco VPN Client.mpkg.
Type the Administrator password of your Mac when prompted and click Continue.
Read the Software License Agreement and click Continue.
Click the Agree button in order to accept the terms of the license agreement.
Select the destination disk you wish to install the client on and click Continue.
Choose Easy Install as the Installation type and click Continue.

The software will install the VPN Client in the Applications folder of the drive you selected.

Navigate to your Applications folder and start the VPN Client by double-clicking on it.

Configuring the VPN Client to Authenticate to the Wireless Network

In the VPN client window, you will see a list of U of O profiles: Wireless, Home Access and EduNet. If you do not see these profiles, click on the Import icon and navigate to the Profiles folder on the UOVPNClient mounted image. Select the “Campus (sans fil, station d’accueil) – Wireless…” file and click Open. You will get a message stating that the profile was imported successfully; click OK and reboot your computer.

The profile should now appear in the VPN Client window.

Select the profile and click on the connect icon.
Enter your Infoweb username and password.

If you are an employee, your username will begin with an E followed by your employee number (without the leading zeroes).
If you are a student, enter your student number (without the leading zeroes).

Example: For employee number 0000012345, the Infoweb Username will be E12345
For student number 087654321, The Infoweb Username will be 87654321

If the login is successful, a welcome message will appear. You are now connected to the wireless campus network and are able to access the Internet.

Minimize the VPN Client window. If you close the window, the VPN connection is lost.

To end the VPN session, click the Disconnect icon.

Session Timeouts

There are two automatic timeouts set for the VPN. Your session will be disconnected if:

there has been no network activity* during the last 30 minutes OR
you have been actively connected for 300 minutes (5 hours = max. per session)

If you get disconnected and wish to continue working using the VPN, simply log back on using the VPN Client.

*Typing out an email message does not constitute network activity. Sending or receiving email creates activity on the network.