What is a VPN?

A VPN establishes a private and secure two-way communication link between two end-points. Think of the Internet as an Interstate Highway that anyone can access at anytime.  The method used to access the Interstate (Internet) is by using an “on ramp”, which would be equivalent to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) providing access to the Internet.  An (ISP) provides the connection link to the public Internet. An ISP can be an institution like Georgia Tech or a commercial company that charges for access like AOL, EarthLink, or MSN. 

Once you have access to the public Internet, you are traveling with all other users who are accessing the internet at the same time.  A VPN is similar to an HOV lane or restricted lane on the Interstate.  A VPN sets up a special lane between your computer and another remote computer or system, i.e. College of Architecture servers that only you can access.  Although you are still using a public communication/transport system, the VPN separates your Internet communications from the general Internet public traffic. 

The VPN also gives the user access to resources in the same way as if sitting at an office computer on the local network.  We use a VPN at CoA to provide easy and secure access to CoA resources. 

Why don't we have a VPN setup for Mac's?

Instructions for installing the VPN on a PC:

1. Using your internet browser, go to: http://www.coa.gatech.edu/computing/download
2. You will be taken to a login screen where you will need to enter your GT Account number and password.
3. You will then see the Downloads page. Click on the first item in the list to download the gtcoavpn.exe file.
4. You will be asked to save the Program to Disk, click OK.
5. Double-click the gtcoavpn compressed file on your desktop. This will install the VPN client to your PC.
6. Double-click the VPN shortcut.
7. GT-COA VPN - enter your GT username, password, and 'AD' in the logon domain field.
8. You should then be connected to \\gtcoa.coa.ad.gatech.edu
9. Disconnect the GT COA VPN when finished.

 

Once the VPN is installed and configured, you will use your GT Account login and password just like you would on your computer located at CoA.

 

Macs and the VPN

CoA Mac users should use a WebDav connection to connect to their home directory from off campus.  Here is the information on how to connect through WebDav.