The computers on WSU Vancouver's network are protected from the outside world by a firewall. This firewall blocks direct access from outside computers to our computers. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides a method of connecting through the firewall in order to gain access to computers behind the firewall. This process occurs in two steps. The first step is to connect with your home computer to the VPN system and authenticate using your network ID so that the system knows it should let you in. Once connected, your home computer is a part of our network similar to being plugged directly in to a network jack on campus. The second step is then to use a remote desktop program to make the connection to your office computer. Instructions for making these connections are available in the PDF files below. If you have...

• Windows XP at home
• Windows Vista at home
• Windows 2000 at home
• Mac OS X at home (10.4 or newer)

All instructions are for connecting to Windows XP office computers. The same instructions will work to connect to Windows Vista office computers, though the screenshots and steps will not match exactly. Our network is not currently set up to provide connectivity to Macintosh computers on campus from home computers. We hope to remedy this situation in the future. If you have followed the instructions and run in to problems connecting, please call 360 546-9770 or email Helplog for assistance.