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TTUnet VPN FAQ

What is VPN and why is it in use?

A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a method to communicate through a dedicated server securely to a corporate network over the Internet.  This allows access to resources inside the protected network from a remote location.

VPN has been implemented to allow faculty, staff, and students of Texas Tech University access to sensitive resources only available while connected to the TTU network.  Examples of resources include Windows Remote Desktop, file shares (TechShare, RaiderDrive), and print shares.

What operating system do I need in order to take advantage of VPN?

How do I make sure my operating system is ready to connect to TTUnet VPN?

NOTE:  There may be an additional expense associated with upgrading your computer's OS such as operating systems not covered by TTU's software site license or costs associated with receiving outside technical assistance for operating system installation.

Can I use a personal firewall with VPN?

Yes, but these types of software can sometimes cause intermittent connectivity issues with VPN or prevent connection completely. Contact the firewall vendor for assistance with configuring your firewall to work with TTUnet VPN.  Below are the standard settings that are needed:

I have a home network.  What do I need to configure for VPN to work?

In order for VPN to work on a home network, the following things should be enabled on your home router:

Due to their varying nature, home networks are not supported by IT Help Central.

From my corporate, educational, military, or apartment complex network, who do I contact if outbound VPN to TTU does not work?

You should contact your local network administrator and inquire if L2TP over IPsec is allowed out of your network on ports UDP 500, UDP 1701, and UDP 4500. If the answer to either of these questions is no, TTUnet VPN connectivity may not function properly.

In choosing my Internet Service Provider (ISP), what question do I need to ask to see if they block VPN?

You should ask if L2TP over IPsec is allowed.  You should also ask if ports UDP 500, UDP 1701, and UDP 4500 are open.  The answer to these questions may need to be yes in order for VPN connectivity to work.

Who can access TTUnet VPN? How do I get an account?

TTUnet VPN is available to designated eRaider roles at Texas Tech, including current TTU faculty, staff, and students.  If your role has VPN service enabled, you automatically have access to the service and only need to configure your client software to connect.  Check with IT Help Central to determine if your role has access.

What is the cost of TTUnet VPN?

TTUnet VPN is free of charge.

When I connect to VPN, all I get is an asterisk (*) in the top left corner of my window.  I still cannot access library resources. Why?

It has been reported that users connecting with a browser-based dial-up provider such as AOL or Wal-Mart Online have reported being unable to access Web sites after connecting to VPN.  Those users report seeing only an asterisk in the top-left corner of the screen.  This is a known issue, and can be worked around by simply using Internet Explorer as the Web browser for the duration of being connected to the VPN connection.

Why am I receiving an error 691 when I try to connect to VPN?

Error 691 is most often associated with using the incorrect username/password combination.  Verify that you are using the correct username and password and that your caps lock key is not on.  If you are still unable to connect, please contact IT Help Central.

NOTE:  There is a known issue that some domain policies may prohibit VPN connections, but TTU and TTUHSC domains should allow it. Contact the administrator of your Active Directory domain for more assistance.