How to Connect UCSD VPN on Windows 10 and Mac OS 10.10.x & Above

UCSD has expanded its virtual private network (VPN) service to allow you to establish a secure connection to the network of UCSD from any location in the world. This, as a result, let’s you access remote desktop on Windows, Mac, and others. This guide will help you connect and login to UCSD library and campus resources.

1. How to Configure the UCSD VPN Client for Windows 10
2. How to Configure the UCSD VPN Client for Mac OS
3. What are VPN Pools?

What does UCSD VPN do?

By forming an isolated virtual connection, the UCSD VPN makes sure of the following:

• Only certain authorized people are able to access the campus networks.
• There is no foreign interference or interruption while transmitting the data.

UCSD VPN does so by applying encryptions and various security checks. When you are trying to connect to the campus network from outside, it goes through an encrypted connection that gives your remote device a UCSD IP address.

How to connect to UCSD’s VPN?

You can connect to UCSD VPN by using any one of the two services, namely: AnyConnect (Cisco software VPN client) and EasyConnect (web-based VPN portal).

1. By using VPN AnyConnect: Download the AnyConnect client by following the method of conventional installation in various systems such as Windows (10, 8, 7, etc.), Mac OS X 10.10, Chromebook, or GNU/Linux and connect via the client.
2. By using EasyConnect: You don’t have to download the client in this case as this is a web-based interface. You only have to follow these steps:
3. Go to https://vpn.ucsd.edu
4. Enter your active directory (AD) username and password
5. Chose EasyConnect from the given options and press sign-on
6. Now you can access the services provided by the campus network.
7. iPhone/iTouch/iPad 0.x: Configure your iPhone/ iPad in order to access the VPN.

If you need to reset your AD (Active Directory) username or password, simply visit https://adweb.ucsd.edu/adpass/ or contact the system administrator for your department.

How to Configure the UCSD VPN Client for Windows 10

1. Start with downloading the AnyConnect VPN client from this link
2. Once done, run the setup and begin the installation
3. Accepting the license agreement is mandatory, so accept the license
4. Click continue installation and once done click finish
5. Now run the AnyConnect client by clicking on the  Windows button
6. Choose the Cisco Folder. Proceed with selecting the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client to launch.
7. Authenticate with UCSD VPN using DUO 2-Step Authentication
8. By clicking disconnect, you can easily disconnect from UCSD network

How to Configure the UCSD VPN Client for Mac OS

The process is quite similar to the UCSD configuration for Windows 10, however, the following are the steps which needs to be done before the installation begins:

1. Uninstall the old client, since Mac OS 10.10.x and above has that preinstalled.
2. Download the AnyConnect client for Mac from this link
3. Begin the installation and the process is quite similar to that of Windows

What are VPN Pools?

The VPN creates certain pools of data that are exclusive for each department. This way the department heads can control access to each department’s resources to ensure maximum security of data/resources.

If you are looking for further guidance about these pools and their accessibility, you can consult with your department’s IT staff. If there is no IT staff at hand, you can contact the ITS Service desk.

In order to access a VPN pool, you just have to enter your username, followed by ‘@’ the pool name.