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University of Bath

Setting up VPN on your device

VPN lets you connect your personal device to IT services at the University. Find out how to use VPN on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android.

When to use VPN

VPN creates a secure link from your device to services at the University, as if you were on the University network.

There are several reasons to use VPN, including:

  • searching the library catalogue
  • securing a remote desktop connection
  • connecting to applications that are restricted to University IP addresses

You do not need VPN to use UniDesk or UniApps.

Setting up VPN using Windows

1. Check if you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit machine

Find out if your PC is running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

2. Download the GlobalProtect file

  1. Go to the GlobalProtect login screen.
  2. Enter your University username, like abc12, and password. Your username is on your library card.
  3. Select the link for the file that you need. You can choose between the 32-bit or 64-bit link name.
  4. Download and run the file on your device.

3. Install the file using the set-up wizard

  1. Click 'Next' when prompted (up to three times).
  2. Click 'Run' when prompted. You may be asked to enter the administrator username and password from your device. These are the details for your device, not your University username and password.
  3. Enter GlobalProtect settings:
    • portal is 'remote.bath.ac.uk'
    • 'username' is your University username found on your library card
    • 'password' is your University password
  4. Click 'Apply'.
  5. Click 'Close'.

You are now ready to use VPN. You can connect and disconnect using the VPN icon on your menu bar.

Setting up VPN on a Mac

There are two ways to set up VPN on your Mac.

Use OpenVPN (Tunnelblick) if your Mac is set up for multiple users. If you are the only user on your Mac, you can use Tunnelblick or GlobalProtect.

Tunnelblick

1. Download the Tunnelblick app onto your device

  1. Go to the VPN Profile Request page.
  2. Click 'Download the App'.
  3. Click 'Download App for Mac'.
  4. Select the link next to 'Stable'.

2. Download your University of Bath VPN profile

  1. Go back to the VPN Profile Request page and click 'Account Setup'.
  2. Enter your University username and password. Your username is on your library card.
  3. Click 'Login'.
  4. Click 'Download Profile'.

You have now downloaded two files. The .dmg file lets you run the Tunnelblick app. The .ovpn file has your VPN profile settings.

3. Set up and connect your VPN

  1. Go to your 'Downloads' folder, or wherever you saved the files, and open the Tunnelblick .dmg file.
  2. Double-click the Tunnelblick image.
  3. Click 'Open'.
  4. If prompted, enter the username and password for your device, not your University details.
  5. Click 'Launch'.
  6. Click 'I have configuration files'.
  7. Click 'OK'.
  8. Go back to your Downloads folder, or wherever you saved the files, and open the .ovpn file.
  9. Click 'Only Me'.
  10. If prompted, enter the username and password for your device, not your University details.
  11. Click 'OK'.
  12. Click the tunnel icon on your screen (usually in the top right).
  13. Click 'Connect'.
  14. Enter your University username and password.
  15. Click 'OK'.

GlobalProtect

Use GlobalProtect if you are the only user on your Mac. If you have more than one account on your Mac, anyone who is logged in will be able to use your VPN. This is a security risk.

1. Download GlobalProtect

  1. Go to the GlobalProtect login screen.
  2. Enter your University username and password. Your username is on your library card.
  3. Click the 'Download Mac...' option.

2. Install the file using the set-up wizard

  1. Open the .pkg file on your Mac
  2. Click 'Continue'.
  3. Select 'Install for all users of this computer', then click 'Continue'.
  4. Click 'Continue' again, then 'Install'.
  5. Enter GlobalProtect settings:
    • 'username' is your University username, as on your library card
    • 'password' is your University password
    • 'portal' is 'remote.bath.ac.uk'
  6. Click 'Apply'.

Use the VPN menu icon to connect or disconnect and update your University password when necessary.

Setting up VPN on your iPad, iPhone and Android devices

1. Download the OpenVPN Connect app onto your device

  1. Go to the VPN Profile Request page.
  2. Tap 'Download the app'.
  3. Tap 'Download App for iOS' or 'Download App for Android'.
  4. Install the free app using your usual device steps.
  5. Open the OpenVPN Connect app and then minimise it.

2. Download your University of Bath VPN profile

  1. Tap on the 'Account Setup' tab on the VPN Profile Request page.
  2. Enter your University username and password. Your username is on your library card.
  3. Tap on 'Download profile'.
  4. Tap on the 'OpenVPN profile' link.
  5. Wait for the profile to download to your device.

3. Connect to University of Bath VPN

  1. Open the OpenVPN Connect app.
  2. If you are using an iOS device, accept the profile. If you are using an Android device, tap on the '+' icon to expand settings.
  3. Enter your University username and password.
  4. Tap 'Save'.
  5. Tap 'Connection'.

Setting up VPN on Linux

There are various ways of setting up VPN on Linux. View the knowledgebase item to find out how to do this.