University of Southampton - VPN Service - Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide

This is a guide to configuring Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 to use the VPN (virtual private networking) service.
This is required for connecting to resources and services which are restricted to soton.ac.uk domain connections.

Before you begin

1. Please read all of the information on this web page http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/
2. Please note, before you can connect to our VPN server you must already be connected to the internet via
your normal network, broadband or dialup service.
3. Click here or go to http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/vpndomaintestphp.php to check
whether your connection is already within the soton.ac.uk domain (i.e You are on the university network), if
so, you do not need the VPN service to access university online resources.
4. These instructions are intended to work for most computers. If you experience difficulties, please read our
VPN Support and Troubleshooting web page or contact our iSolutions ServiceLine for advice.

1. The Control Panel Window

Click on Start, then Control Panel.
The Control Panel window will open and you
should select the Classic View on the left
hand frame.
Then double click on the Network and
Sharing Center icon.

2. The Network and Sharing Center

window
The Network and Sharing Center window
should tell you the status your network or
Internet connections. Press F5 to refresh if
needed.
Click on the Internet globe picture or click on
View Status to ensure that you are connected
and can access the Internet.
If so, then from the left hand frame labelled
Tasks click on the Set up a connection or
network.

Page 1 of 5

VPN Service Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide

3. The Set up a connection or

network window
Select 'Connect to a workplace' then click
Next.

Note. If this option page is not identical, perhaps

due to it being a different version of Microsoft
Vista or Windows 7 then look for the most
similar option that mentions Workplaces or VPN
connections (Virtual Private Network).

4. The How do you want to connect

window
Click on 'Use my Internet connection
(VPN)'.

5. How do you connect to the Internet? (optional)

If at this point you are not already connected to the Internet (for example, if you have not dialled in, plugged in
or connected to wireless) then you will be presented with a window stating that you will require an Internet
connection to connect to the VPN. If you are already connected to the Internet then you will not see this
window.
However it is possible in this window to specify how you will want to connect to the Internet once you have setup
and started the VPN connection. So you can select your preferred Internet Service Provider (ISP) or connection
method, follow the connection process, and then continue with the VPN setup below.

Page 2 of 5

VPN Service Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide

6. The Connect to a workplace

window
Type in the Internet address of our VPN server:
vpn.soton.ac.uk
(Click inside the box or start typing and the box
will clear for you).
Important: The Internet address must be
correct for the VPN connection to work, also
make sure there are NO SPACES in the text.
Enter a suitable Destination name for the
connection for example, 'University VPN
connection' as shown. This name is only for
descriptive purposes and does not dictate how
the connection works.
Then click Next.

7. Enter user name and password

to connect
The basic settings are now complete, and you
can try out the connection.
Please remember, before you can connect to our
VPN server you need to be connected to the
internet first via your normal network,
broadband or dialup service.
Enter your university username and
password in the appropriate boxes.
It is best not to tick the Remember this
password box, as there is a risk that
unauthorised access to your computer may
result in someone retrieving your password or

Note. SOTON can be specified as the Domain if you wish, but

this is not required.

logging in without your consent.

Then click Connect.

Page 3 of 5

VPN Service Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide

8. Connecting to vpn.soton.ac.uk
These VPN connection settings will be created and saved to
the Network and sharing Center.
Then the computer will begin Connecting to
vpn.soton.ac.uk.
Then, if successful, it will try Verifying the username and
password.
If that succeeds, the connection is complete, and you can
click Close.
If this connection process fails please consult our VPN
Support and Troubleshooting web page.
http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/troub
leshooting.html

9. State the Location and Privacy of this

network
Once the new VPN network connection has been setup a
window may appear to ask you to state what type of
network you are connecting to and what sort of security
settings to implement.
We advise clicking on the Work option.
Depending on your security settings, Vista or Windows 7
may then ask for permission to continue if so click
Continue, then click Close.

10. Using the VPN connection

You should now have an active and encrypted VPN connection between your computer and the University
network. You should now be able to access various university online resources and services as if you were on
campus. Any visits to external Internet websites will be routed via the university network, some firewall
restrictions and idle timeout disconnects may apply. Read our VPN home page for more details on the service,
http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/
Note: If you have any personal Internet Security or Firewall programs on your computer, then you may have to
configure them to allow access to any servers, resources or other computers on the network.
Older Novell servers which use the IPX protocol cannot be accessed through this service, as this system no
longer supports IPX.

Page 4 of 5

VPN Service Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide

11. Connection status and

disconnect window
Whilst connected there should be an icon in the
bottom right task bar showing your current
network connections.
Your new VPN connection should be listed here
when connected and you can check the
connection status by left clicking the task bar
icon.
To Disconnect from the VPN service right click
the network connections icon, highlight the
Disconnect from option and select the VPN
connections name.
(You can also disconnect from the VPN network
via the Network and Sharing Center window).

12. To start the VPN connection

again
The VPN connection settings have been saved to
the Network and Sharing Center and can be
accessed by following Step 1 again and then
clicking on Manage network connections in
the tasks bar. This Network Connections
window will show you a list of all your network
connections including you new University VPN
connection icon (depending on what you named
it).
Double click on this VPN icon to login and start
the connection again (remember to be connected
to the internet first).
Alternatively, you can click Start, then Connect
To, select your new VPN connection from the list,
and click Connect.

These instructions are intended to work for computers running Microsoft Vista or Windows 7.
If you experience difficulties, please see the VPN (virtual private networking) service and VPN Support and
Troubleshooting pages (http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/net/vpn/) for more information or contact
the University IT ServiceLine for advice (See http://www.soton.ac.uk/isolutions/essentials/about/contact.html).
University of Southampton

Last reviewed: 20/01/2010 by MWH

Page 5 of 5

VPN Service Microsoft Vista & Windows 7 Setup Guide