VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) at BUMC
What is VPN?
VPN is a combination of encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms used to provide a secure communications channel over the Internet. This technology is deployed at Boston University on the Charles River Campus as well as the Medical Campus.
On the Medical Campus, this technology allows for secure remote access to the campus network from virtually anywhere in the world and is utilized as a mechanism to provide a secure means to communicate over the campus wireless network, as well as the wired network.
The Medical Campus Office of Information Technology currently supports two types of VPN services:
- Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is generally used by those individuals who are affiliated with BUMC and have a BU Kerberos account. Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OSX operating systems have built-in capabilities to connect to this service.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) is available for the entire Boston University community and can be used on the Medical Campus or the Charles River Campus. Boston University currently uses an installable software client from Cisco Systems for its IPSec offering. This client is freely distributed on both campuses and requires a valid BU ACS/Kerberos account.
How can I get VPN?
Preferred Clients
- Windows AnyConnect Client (32/64-bit Vista/XP/2000) – Right-click and ‘Save As’ to download. Once installed, Connect to: work2.bumc.bu.edu and Group: BUMC-SSL PC Download (for all PC users with a BU account)
- OS X (10.6) – AnyConnect Client no longer works with Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6), we are currently testing a new client that will work with Snow Leopard. As for now, Snow Leopard has a built in Cisco VPN client. For directions to connect with using the built-in VPN Client… Click Here
- OS X (10.4, 10.5) AnyConnect Client (Intel) – Right-click and ‘Save As’ to download. Once installed, Connect to: work2.bumc.bu.edu and Group: BUMC-SSL Mac (Intel) Download (for all Mac (Intel) users with a BU account)
- OS X AnyConnect Client (Power PC) – Right-click and ‘Save As’ to download. Once installed, Connect to: work2.bumc.bu.edu and Group: BUMC-SSL Mac (Power PC) Download (for all Mac (Power PC) users with a BU account)
Legacy Clients
- For Legacy Clients, contact our helpdesk at 617-638-5914 or bumchelp@bu.edu
- For information on IPSec VPN clients for the Palm and PocketPC click here.
- BUMC/PPTP VPN clients are built-in to your Windows or Macintosh operating system. You must have an Active Directory affiliation with BUMC in order to use this service. The Cisco clients are our preferred VPN clients.
