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Using the Virtual Private Network

Rockhurst's Virtual Private Network (VPN) will allow you to have access to your network user and course folders from non-Rockhurst campus computers as well as Greenlease Library databases. This is a powerful tool because it will help eliminate the use of floppy disks, thereby helping to protect your data when you need to access your documents from home and from campus.

Before attempting to log into the VPN, your computer must meet the guidelines as follows:

  • You must be running the Windows XP or Vista operating system with Active X controls enabled.
  • You must use Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher to initate your VPN session. After connecting, you can use other browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, to browse online resources.
  • Users must be running at least McAfee Enterprise Anti-Virus 8.0 and the virus definitions must be up-to-date. You may download McAfee Enterprise 8.5 for free from http://help.rockhurst.edu/mcafee. If you need to download and install McAfee, be sure to remove any antivirus software currently running first. Note: You will be required to log into the site with your Rockhurst network login information.
  • When you attempt to log into the VPN for the first time, you may receive a yellow information bar at the top of the browser window. You must click there to allow the Active X control to run correctly.

To access the VPN, perform the following steps:

  1. Go to https://vpn.rockhurst.edu using Internet Explorer. Notice the address includes "https" because of the security of the webpage. Note: At this point, make sure that you disable any form of popup blocker. Also, if running Windows XP Service Pack 2, you will need to allow the programs access to the Internet when you receive the popup message at the lower right-hand corner of your screen.
  2. Log into the site using your Rockhurst network login credentials. If you are a student, be sure to choose students in the realm field and if you are faculty or staff, please choose employees.
  3. Wait while the VPN software is automatically installed or updated on your machine.
  4. Once the login process has completed you have secure access to Rockhurst resources.
  5. Logout when complete.