How to Connect Off-Campus Using VPN for MAC OS X

Off-campus students, staff and faculty are required to open a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection through which to access on-campus resources like Piratedrive folders or campus computer files. A VPN creates a private, secure “tunnel” between your computer and ECU, thus preventing data from being intercepted (stolen) by unauthorized 3rd parties during transmission. This service is open to all ECU faculty, staff, students and approved vendors/guests.

These instructions cover working with any ECU-purchased computer or personal computer with an Internet connection.

Step 1. Open the Virtual Private Network Connection.

1. Staff, faculty and students: open https://remoteaccess.ecu.edu

Faculty and Staff login screen

2. Type in your PirateID and passphrase. Leave the GROUP on the default setting: RemoteAccess

3. At the prompt, For Authorized Use Only, click Continue.

4. First-time users will need to follow the prompts to install the Cisco AnyConnect client.

To install the Cisco AnyConnect client:

1. Check the Allow all applets… checkbox.

2. Click Allow.

3. The software will check your system for appropriate settings and automatically install.

4. In some instances, you may need to manually install the vpnsetup.dmg file.

   If you have problems installing the AnyConnect client, please call the IT Help Desk at 252.328.9866/1.800.340.7081.

   

   Once the software installs, it will automatically connect.

   You should see the above icon on your dock. If not, open the Finder, go to applications and drag the program to the dock.

   

   The status of your VPN connection – connected or disconnected – is always available by clicking the icon.

   If you are connected, proceed to Step 2.

   

   If you are not connected, type remoteaccess.ecu.edu in the Connect to: text box and click Select.

    

   

   When prompted, enter your PirateID and passphrase to connect.

   Note: Once the software is installed, you are able to establish a VPN connection by launching the AnyConnect client from your applications folder or the icon.

    

   Step 2. Remotely Connect to Piratedrive Folders 

   (Personal or Departmental)

   

   Note. You can only access folders for which you have been given permissions. See the folder administrator in your department for more information about your access.

   1. From the Finder menu (top of the screen), choose Go and then Connect to Server…

   2. Enter the folder path (see below).

Personal:

STAFF/STUDENT: smb://piratedrive.intra.ecu.edu/home 

Department: 

smb://piratedrive.intra.ecu.edu/FolderName

Replace Folder-Name with the name of your department’s Piratedrive folder.

Add as a Favorite Server

1. To add this connection as a favorite, click the + button to the right of the address bar before you connect.

2. Click Connect.

   

    

3. When prompted, enter your PirateID and passphrase.

4. Click Connect.

   Your Piratedrive folder will now appear in Finder and as a drive on the desktop through which it can be accessed.

Disconnect

To Disconnect, first close all open files.

In Finder, right-click on the drive for Piratedrive and choose Eject or drag the drive icon from the desktop to the trashcan.

On the Dock, locate the icon for the Cisco AnyConnect software and click it. Choose Disconnect.

REMEMBER

• You can connect to Piratedrive via Virtual Private Network from anywhere with an Internet connection.

• Shutting down your Mac computer will terminate the VPN session.

• During a VPN session, you may work on other, unrelated projects using other resources.

• The VPN will automatically disconnect after three (3) hours of inactivity. Otherwise, it will stay connected as long as you have an Internet connection.

• You can establish a VPN connection from two (2) different computers simultaneously; however, keep in mind that only one (1) file may be opened in read-write mode at a time.

• After the initial download the VPN software, you can simply launch the application from your computer to establish connections in the future (then start with step 2).

Having Trouble? Read This

If the applet does not install, double-click the JAVA settings.

1. Go to: Macintosh HD >> Applications >> Utilities

2. Launch JAVA Preferences.

3. Make sure your settings look like those to the left—Check Enable applet plug-in and Web Start applications and drag the 32-bit JAVA to the top of the list.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, please Submit a Ticket or call the IT Help Desk at 252.328.9866/1.800.340.7081.