VPN at LSU: Overview

General Information

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.  This is a technology allows LSU Faculty, Staff, Students and Retirees to securely access the LSU network from any location with an internet connection.  This is helpful when you are off-campus and need to access technologies that are only available on-campus.  Installation of software is necessary the first time you use this tool.
 

Download the Client

https://client.vpn.lsu.edu.  (*highlight, copy and paste into a browser. will only work off-campus*)

Installing AnyConnect

Mac--  AnyConnect Installation Instructions

Windows--  AnyConnect Installation Instructions

Mobile Devices:

iPhone-- AnyConnect App Installation Instructions

iPad-- AnyConnect App Installation Instructions

Android Device-- AnyConnect App Installation Instructions

Using AnyConnect

Windows--

How to Login (Connect) to AnyConnect?

How can I tell if I am connected?

How to Logout (Disconnect) from AnyConnect?

Mac--

How to Login (Connect) to AnyConnect?

How can I tell if I am connected? (Mac)

How to Logout (Disconnect) from AnyConnect?

iPad--

How to Login (Connect) to the iPad App?

How can I tell if I am connected? (iPad)

Mobile Apps--

How to Login (Connect) from an Android Device?

How to Login (Connect) from an iPhone?

Examples of Use

It may be necessary for you to connect to your office computer to use some of these resources.  See Installing Windows Remote Desktop for more information.

1. LSU Mainframe and LSU license servers.

2. Shared Folders: VPN is required to map network drives or any other campus server when you are off campus. The VPN software does not map drives for you. You need to log into the VPN and then either map your drives by hand.

3. Sending e-mail from off campus: To send email using a client like Outlook or Thunderbird when you're off campus, you must first connect with VPN. This will allow you to use LSU's outgoing mail servers without having to change it manually to your local ISP.

4. Department specific resources: You may have access to a service or resource provided by your class or department that requires a VPN connection from off campus. For example, electronic journal access is a typical resource.

Troubleshooting

Make sure your Internet Browser is compatible, view ITS Web Browser Recommendation.

Collect the Error Logs.  Send these Error Logs to the ITS Help Desk.

FAQs

Why SSL and not IPSEC?
Remote access is becoming critical to LSU as the demand for secure interaction with centralized resources increases. Secure remote access is the key to success. It is not surprising that today's needs demand more secure access to more resources from more remote unmanaged devices and platforms than ever before. Increasingly, LSU is discovering that their IPSec VPN solution is not keeping up with the demands of today's system.

As a result, we have invested in SSL VPN technology (i.e. AnyConnect) - a more flexible solution that features granular clientless access control and greater security for mobile devices. The result? Easy to use and simple to manage remote access that enables better communications.

Is there a way to browse the web through the LSU network without installing a client?
Yes, you can.  However this is not the preferred method since it does not always work.  View all GROK information on Clientless VPN.

What is the preferred method?
Installing the AnyConnect Client and connecting via https://client.vpn.lsu.edu.  (*This link will only work off-campus*)

LSU Support & Policy Statements

Help Desk Contact Information

Policy Statements