VPN Overview

This article is an overview for faculty and staff on using the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN) service GlobalProtect.

What is VPN and when should I use it?

VPN allows you to connect to campus resources when you are away from your campus desktop computer. It is most often used to connect to campus resources when you are off-campus, although it may be needed when you are connected to the campus Wi-Fi network.

What campus resources require VPN?
Campus Resource Do I Need To Use VPN to access it?
Campus Portal No
Canvas No
Campus Email (Outlook) No
Most campus websites, including my.fullerton.edu No
CSUF Dropbox for Business No
Zoom No
VCL (Virtual Computer Lab) Yes
Virtual Labs: CSUF AppStream No
Virtual Labs: Splashtop Yes
Titan Online - general campus user access No
Titan Online - advanced campus user access (typically developers and business analysts) Yes
Retrieve files stored on your campus computer that are not saved in Dropbox Yes
Remote desktop to your campus workstation or a campus server Yes
Access sensitive campus data Yes
Access secure campus websites Yes

If you're having trouble accessing a campus resource from off-campus, try connecting to VPN to resolve the issue.

What do I need to do to install and use the campus VPN?
  1. Obtain campus VPN permission:
    • Faculty/Staff: most faculty/staff should automatically have this access, but if you find it doesn't work, please email [email protected] for assistance.
    • Students: most students should automatically have this access, but if you find it doesn't work, please email [email protected] for assistance.
    • Consultants and student employees: a Department IT Coordinator (DITC) needs to submit a VPN Access Request Form to request VPN access for you. Contact your supervisor if you do not know who your Department IT Coordinator is or whether the access request was submitted.
  2. Set up Duo two factor authentication (Faculty/Staff Duo or Student Duo) for your campus account.
  3. Install GlobalProtect on the computer/device you want to use to access campus resources.
  4. Connect to the appropriate VPN portal address.

View step-by-step instructions on how to download GlobalProtect and connect to VPN, including how to choose the appropriate VPN portal address.

Need to connect to your campus workstation? View instructions on using remote desktop with VPN.

About GlobalProtect VPN & CSUF VPN Portal Addresses

GlobalProtect is the application that CSUF uses for VPN.

Portal Addresses

There are four portal addresses that CSUF uses for our VPN:

  • myvpn.fullerton.edu (Students)
  • csufvpn.fullerton.edu (Faculty/Staff rollout laptops)
  • gpft.fullerton.edu (Full Tunnel)
  • gpst.fullerton.edu (Split Tunnel)

VPN Portal Matrix

VPN Portal Gateway Tunnel Method Tunnel Traffic Security User Device Use Case Goal
myvpn myvpn.fullerton.edu Split Traffic to campus Duo Students Any devices Request from faculty or tech Students access college and/or faculty resources
csufvpn csufvpn.fullerton.edu
  • Office wired/eduroam: None - internal
  • Remote: Full
  • Office wired/eduroam: None - internal
  • Remote: Everything tunnel
Device certificate Faculty, staff Rollout laptop Rollout devices and authorized users (domain-joined and interactive login) Seamless user experience; update password, SCCM, patching
gpst gpst.fullerton.edu Split Traffic to campus Duo VPN requested: consultant, student assistant Personal, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), Consultant Work Work remotely with personal devices Consultant
gpft gpft.fullerton.edu Full Everything tunnel Duo VPN requested; consultant, student assistant Personal, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), Consultant Work Work remotely with personal devices Faculty, staff, student assistant

GlobalProtect Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 7 or higher
  • Mac 10.11 (El Capitan) or higher
  • Apple iOS 10 or higher
  • Android 6 or higher
  • Linux CentOS 7.0 or higher; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0 through 8.1 and 8.3 and 8.4; Ubuntu 14.04 or higher

FAQ

Do I need to use the campus VPN when on campus?

Generally, no you won't. If you are using the campus Wi-Fi, you may need to connect to the campus VPN to access some resources.

Do I need to use a cell phone to use DUO multi-factor authentication with the campus VPN?

Students must use the Duo app, but the app can be installed on a cell phone or tablet. Learn more about Duo for students.

Faculty and staff have the option to request a keychain fob/token that can be used to generate a passcode. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777 for more information.

NOTE: connecting to campus VPN using a keychain fob is a little more complicated, so if you have a personal mobile device that you are willing to use for Duo, it can make connecting to VPN easier.

I'm having issues with my VPN connection. What do I do?

Try refreshing your connection

Global Protect menu and options

Click on the three dots menu and then select Refresh Connection.

This often resolves connectivity issues with VPN.

Need More Help?

Faculty/Staff - contact the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.

Students - contact the Student IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-8888.