Signal Theory and Communications Department

VPN Configuration

VPN Access 

To use the VPN service, you need to install client software on your device. With the VPN you can get a secure connection to the TSC network from outside using encrypted communication.

All TSC users can use the VPN service, so there is no need to request it.

For Windows:

Installation: 

1. Download the OpenVPN software version according to your computer hardware, usually amd64.

2. Install the program as an Administrator user: Right click and select Run as Administrator.

3. Download the configuration file and copy it to the OpenVPN installation directory, depending on the system language:

“C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config”

“C:\Arxius de programa\OpenVPN\config”

“C:\Archivos de Programa\OpenVPN\config”

 

Using: 

To start the VPN we need to right-click on the icon in the bottom bar and select Connect, or just double-click.

To log in we must use the username and passwords provided for the Department’s services.

If you have any problems with the installation or use, please check the FAQ section. For any questions you can contact us by email: .

 

For Linux:

Installation:

1. Download the configuration file and save it to your home directory, for example /home/myuser/openvpn.

2. Install OpenVPN for the network manager by opening a terminal and running:

>> sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn openssl

If you are using a GNOME desktop, you should run the installation this way:

>> sudo apt-get install openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome network-manager-openvpn openssl

You will be prompted for your computer's root password to perform this installation.

3. Add a new VPN connection:

Go to the System menu, usually on the upper-right corner of the screen, select Parameters and go to network configuration, add a VPN connection and select "Import from file..."

4. Select the downloaded file and open it.

5. Fill out the form with your username and password and click Add.

 

Using:

After adding the new connection it will be available in the System menu. To start the VPN just click on Connect label and the connection will be established.

If you have any problems with the installation or use, please check the FAQ section. For any questions you can contact us by email: .

 

For MAC:

Installation:

1. Download the latest stable version of Tunnelblick software.

2. Once downloaded, double-click on the installer and then on Tunnelblick.

3. Click the "Open" option.

4. Enter the Mac username / password as you need administrator permissions to install the software.

5. Once installed, the Tunnelblick software must be launched.

6. The application informs us that no VPN configuration is installed, and it is selected that we have configuration files.

7. Download the VPN configuration file and double click. If this option does not work, you can drag the vpn_tsc.ovpn configuration file to the Tunnelblick icon.

8. If the process was successful, it will end with the following message: Tunnelblick successfully: installed one configuration.

 

Using:

1. To activate the VPN connection, go to the top right bar at the top and hover over the Tunnelblick icon. When the Tunnelblick window pops up, click to connect.

2. Enter the username and password provided for the Department’s services.

3. If everything worked correctly, the following window will appear:

There may appear some pop-up warnings from Tunnelblick, indicating that "The IP address of this machine hasn't changed after connecting to vpnscd2" or "This VPN may not work in future versions of Tunnelblick". Do not worry, these warnings are normal and can be ignored.

If you have any problems with the installation or use, please check the FAQ section. For any questions you can contact us by email: .

 

For Android:

Installation:

1. Download the VPN configuration file.

2. Install OpenVPN from Play Store, or download the latest version from:

3. Open the OpenVPN app for Android and from the folder icon, open the vpn_tsc.ovpn file downloaded in step 2.

Using:

1. Run the vpn_tsc profile created during installation.

2. Enter the username and password provided for the Department’s services.

If you have any problems with the installation or use, please check the FAQ section. For any questions you can contact us by email: .

 

For IOS:

Installation:

1. Install OpenVPN from App Store or the latest version from 

2. Download the VPN configuration file.

3. Go to Files App > Downloads > Select File, touch the share button at bottom left and select OpenVPN.

4. In the OpenVPN window, select Add. In the Imported Profile window put the Profile Name and username, and put add at the top right.

If you have any problems with the installation or use, please check the FAQ section. For any questions you can contact us by email: .

 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

  • Question: What is the VPN Remote Access service?
    Answer: This service makes it possible to establish a secure connection to the Department's network from outside the UPC through the Internet, with the aim of guaranteeing the privacy of the information transmitted and the protection of the UPC's information systems.
  • Question: How does this service work?
    Answer: The system is based on the use of an encrypted communication channel between the personal computer and the VPN server, to which only its originator has access. When the user requests such a connection, the username and password will be used and a communication channel will be generated and will remain active until the end of the connection.
  • Question: What does this service provide me?
    Answer: Once the connection is established, it will be possible to access the systems and services of the internal network as if we were doing it physically from the Department. Therefore, we will have access to those services that are not normally accessible from a public Internet connection.

Linux:

  • Question: Do I need to enable any options in my kernel to access the VPN?
    Answer: The kernel must support the TUN / TAP driver (Universal TUN / TAP device driver support).

Windows:

  • Question: When trying to connect to the VPN it gives me the following error message: 'Error opening logfile for writing. c:\Archivos de Programa\OpenVPN\log\vpn-tsc.log. You probably don't have administrator privileges, which are necessary to run OpenVPN.'
    Answer: You need to run OpenVPN as administrator.