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NACS > Security > VPN > WebVPN

Using the UCI WebVPN

Summary: WebVPN is a Web based version of the VPN. With it you can connect to UCI restricted Web sites.

• Before You Begin
• WebVPN Basics
• Browser Toolbar
• Floating Toolbar

When accessing Web sites, this is the recommended tool. The "Application Access" function is not enabled. If you need to access restricted UCI resources other than Web pages, please use the Cisco VPN clients provided by NACS.

A few web sites do not work with the WebVPN. If you cannot access a site via the WebVPN, please use Software VPN.

Before You Begin

The WebVPN service is a clientless, Web-based version of VPN, built to be compatible with as many different computers as possible. However, there are a few basic requirements:

• A connection to the Internet
• Cookies enabled on browser
• A WebVPN supported Web browser. Most recent browsers should work. However, the following browsers have been verified for WebVPN:
  

  Microsoft Windows	Macintosh OS X	Linux	Solaris
  Internet Explorer version 6.0 Netscape version 7.1 Mozilla version 1.4 Firefox 2.x	Safari 2.x Firefox 2.x	Mozilla 1.4 Netscape 7.1 Firefox 2.x	Netscape 7.1 Firefox 2.x
  * Firefox 1.5 has some problems accessing the WebVPN. Please upgrade your version of Firefox to 2.x.

WebVPN Basics

Do not use the WebVPN service to connect to banking, financial, or other Web pages where you have to enter personal information (name, address, social security number, banking login and password, etc). The WebVPN service intercepts any certificates from the Web site, which prevents your browser from checking the certificates for validity.

1. Using your Web browser, go to https://vpn.nacs.uci.edu
2. Login with your UCInetID and password. Click Login.
   
3. An alert window will appear. Click OK to continue or Cancel to disconnect.
4. In the WebVPN window, click the UCI Library Online Resources link OR enter the Web Address (URL) that you want to access and click Go.
   ( This will connect through UCI's VPN allowing you to access UCI restricted resources and encrypting the network traffic. )
   Note: Only Web pages browsed from the UCI Library Online Resources link or entered in the provided "Enter Web Address" fields use the WebVPN.
   
5. If you clicked the UCI Library Online Resources link, you will see the following page. Browse to the resource you need or use the Search feature. If you need help, you can use the "Ask a Librarian" feature.
   
   Note: The Library Web page is being passed through the WebVPN, as shown in the address bar. The browser toolbar will be in the right top corner. See more information on the Browser toolbar below.
6. If you typed in a Web address, the Web site you requested will appear in your browser window. If you look at the address bar in your browser, you will notice that the address is being passed through UCI's VPN.
   The browser toolbar will also appear in the right corner of the browser window.
   
7. To visit another restricted site, click the Go button in the browser toolbar. If you type in a Web address directly in the browsers's address field you will be logged out of the WebVPN.
8. When you are done using the WebVPN, click the Exit icon [ X ] to log out.

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WebVPN Toolbars

The WebVPN has two types of toolbars. One is visible in the browser window and the other is a "Floating Toolbar" that sits in a different browser window.

Browser Toolbar

This toolbar is always visible in the browser window when using the WebVPN. It defaults to the right side. By clicking on the arrows you can move it to the left.

WebVPN Browser Toolbar

	Moves the toolbar from the right portion of the browser window to the left and back again.
	Opens a window to allow you to type in a new Web Address (URL)
	Opens the Floating Toolbar (see below).
	Takes you back to the WebVPN home page.
	Logs you out of the WebVPN.

Floating Toolbar

The floating toolbar sits in a separate window from your main browser window. You may find this easier to use than the Browser Toolbar. Access the Floating Toolbar from main WebVPN home page or by using the Floating Toolbar icon in the Browser Toolbar (see above). Note: If you have Pop Up Windows disabled, this will not open by default. You may need to enable Pop Up Windows for this to work.

Note: The WebVPN service is still in a developmental stage and is not fully functional. The "Application Access" function is not enabled. If you need to access to restricted UCI resources other than Web pages, please use the Cisco VPN clients provided by NACS.

1. To access UCI Library Online Resources, select it from the drop down menu and click Go.
2. To browse to a new Web site, enter the address in the field provided and click Go.

	Opens the help documentation for the WebVPN.
	Takes you back to the WebVPN home page.
	Logs you out of the WebVPN.

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If you have any questions or need help, please call the NACS Response Center at (949) 824-2222.

Updated: November 15, 2007

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