====== Connection to the University's Network through VPN ======
===== What is a VPN? =====

VPN - //Virtual Private Network// - is a term denoting a network connection between two or more endpoints on a public network (like Internet) made private by data cryptography.
Among possible uses, it allows to connect from any Internet access point to a corporate network, as you were connected directly from within, allowing remote access to normally confined resources.

===== For which reasons should I connect using the University of Trieste's VPN service? =====

  * access computer services not open to Internet and/or reserved to particular users;
  * use remote desktop connection to connect to own office workstation, for instance when in Smart Work.

**PLEASE NOTE:** the University of Trieste's VPN service is **NOT** needed to:
  * access electronic bibliographic resources available from "Servizio Bibliotecario d'Ateneo" (__WARNING:__ for this purpose, the [[https://www-biblio-units-it.units.idm.oclc.org/|EZproxy]] service is available), except rare cases of technical incompatibility;
  * use //@units.it// email accounts (webmail and server access, if correctly set, are accessible from the whole Internet);
  * browse "normal" University's websites;
  * browse normal Internet's websites.

The VPN service is only needed for __some__ restricted resources, **only when** accessed from __outside__ the University's network (ie. from home, mobile access...). Please check with that particular resource's administrators if you need to use VPN in such case.

===== How can I connect to University of Trieste's VPN service? =====

**NOTE:** we remind you that whoever connects to the University's Network (also through a VPN service) accepts its [[https://docu.units.it/usorete/|terms of use (Italian language only)]].

First of all you must have valid //user name// and //password// ([[https://www.units.it/credenziali/|"credenziali d'Ateneo"]], //informations available only in Italian language//).

At this time University of Trieste offers the VPN service by two means:
  * installing a //client// software on the computer that redirects all network traffic through the VPN connection;
  * access via //WebVPN//, that does not require any software installation but allows access to web only resources using a normal browser.

==== Client access ====

The client software is downloadable from the [[https://vpn-client.units.it|download page]].

**WARNING:** operating systems' versions supported by "Area dei servizi ICT" are solely the ones envisaged by the client version available for download *and* that are still maintained by the manufacturer.

==== WebVPN ====

WebVPN access is available on this [[https://webvpn.units.it|page]].

====== Session duration ======

**NOTE:** in order to optimize resource usage, the VPN service has a timer that disconnects sessions after some inactivity time.

====== Support requests ======

If, despite the informations provided on this and related pages, you still experience problems with the VPN service, you can contact [[rete@units.it|"servizio reti"]] to get support. Please try to explain your issue in the most complete way, thank you.