Overview
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes a secure, encrypted connection to allow internet traffic to flow through. Kean University utilizes VPN software provided by Pulse Secure, which also enables Split Tunnel Configuration; a feature that divides your internet traffic to allow any Kean related applications to route through the VPN, and the rest to flow through the open network that your device is connected to.
In order to access Kean applications to perform your course-related work, your device must be connected to the Kean Network via Pulse Secure. Once you are connected to the VPN, you will be able to use your associated Network Resources and Kean-hosted applications as normal.
*If Pulse Secure is not installed on your device, use the following link(s) to download the application (based on your device type).
*If you are having difficulty, please create a ticket at Kean's HelpDesk for assistance.
Table of Contents
- How to Configure & Connect to Pulse Secure on a Windows Machine
- How to Configure & Connect to Pulse Secure on a Mac Machine
How to Configure & Connect to Pulse Secure on a Windows Machine
1. Open the Pulse Secure application using any of the following methods:
a. Search for it in your Windows Search and click the Pulse Secure application displayed:
b. Locate it in your System Tray (you will only find it here if the application automatically launched on Start-up). If you do not see it, click the arrow (^) to show your hidden icons. If the application has auto launched, it will display as shown below.
If the Pulse Secure icon is present as shown above, click on it and select "Open Pulse Secure".
2. Once Pulse Secure is launched, it may display the window shown below, as it loads. Do not take any action until it is completely loaded.
3. If there are any existing VPN Connections, remove it using the following steps:
a. Select the existing connection by clicking on it and press the 'X' icon.
b. Once it prompts you “Do you want to remove this connection?”, click ‘OK’ *Note: This step ONLY applies if there is an existing connection in the VPN Connections list. If there are no existing connections on this list, please disregard this step.
4. Once you have verified that there are no existing VPN Connections, add the new connection using the following steps:
a. Click the '+' button.
5. Enter the following information for the displayed fields:
a. Type: Policy Secure (UAC) or Connect Secure (VPN)
b. Name: Kean VPN
c. Server URL: sslvpn.kean.edu/student
d. Once you added the connection, it will appear in the VPN Connections list as shown below:
6. When prompted to login to authenticate the connection, enter your Domain credentials. Please note:
a. The VPN uses your Domain Account Name and Password without @kean.edu.
1. For example, if your Domain Account Name is cougar@kean.edu, you will only use cougar as your username.
7. Connecting to the VPN will take a few moments and will display the following loading screen while it is establishing the VPN connection. Do not take any action while you wait for this process to complete.
*Note: During this connection process, you may experience network disruptions. If you are using any applications that require a network connection, you will be temporarily disconnected. Do not take any action; once Pulse Secure connection is established, your network will automatically reconnect.
a. Please note that once you've configured and connected to the VPN, you can use the following shortcut to connect again in the future. Simply locate the Pulse Secure icon in your Windows toolbar > click on the Pulse Secure icon > hover over the 'Kean VPN' connection you just set up > Click Connect.
b. If you prefer the traditional connection method however, open Pulse Secure (as shown in Step 1a) > click Connect as shown below:
*Note: Regardless of which connection method you choose, you will still need to authenticate the VPN connection using you Domain credentials as outlined in Step 5.
8. Once the connection is successfully established, you will notice a green check mark as shown below; confirming that your connection is secure and operating as required. Now that you are connected to the VPN, you may close/minimize the window and complete your Kean coursework as needed.
9. Once you have completed your Kean coursework, re-open Pulse Secure using any of the methods listed in Step 1 and click the 'Disconnect' button. You will notice that your connection will display as Disconnected as shown below:
*Note: You may experience temporary network disruption during the disconnect process. Your network will automatically reconnect once this process is complete.
How to Configure & Connect to Pulse Secure on a Mac Machine
1. Open the Pulse Secure application using any of the following methods:
a. Search for it in your Spotlight Search and click the Pulse Secure application displayed:
b. Locate it in your Menu Bar (you will only find it here if the application automatically launched on Start-up). If you do not see it, please disregard this step. If the application has auto launched, it will display as shown below.
If the Pulse Secure icon is present as shown above, click on it and select "Open Pulse Secure".
c. Locate it in your Application folder through the following steps:
i. Open Finder > Locate the Applications folder and click it to view its contents > Locate the Pulse Secure application and double-click to launch it.
2. If there are any existing VPN Connections, remove it using either of the following steps:
a. Option 1: Right-click the existing connection and click Delete.
b. Option 2: Select the existing connection and press the delete button on your keyboard.
c. Once it prompts you "Do you want to remove this connection?", click 'OK'.
*Note: This step ONLY applies if there is an existing connection in the VPN Connections list. If there are no existing connections on this list, please disregard this step.
3. Once you have verified that there are no existing VPN Connections, add the new connection using the following steps:
a. Click the '+' button.
4. Enter the following information for the displayed fields:
a. Type: Policy Secure (UAC) or Connect Secure (VPN)
b. Name: Kean VPN
c. Server URL: sslvpn.kean.edu/student
d. Once you added the connection, it will appear in the VPN Connections list as shown below:
5. When prompted to login to authenticate the connection, enter your Domain credentials. Please note:
a. The VPN uses your Domain Account Name and Password without @kean.edu.
1. For example, if your Domain Account Name is cougar@kean.edu, you will only use cougar as your username.
6. Connecting to the VPN will take a few moments and will display the following loading screen while it is establishing the VPN connection. Do not take any action while you wait for this process to complete.
*Note: During this connection process, you may experience network disruptions. If you are using any applications that require a network connection, you will be temporarily disconnected. Do not take any action; once Pulse Secure connection is established, your network will automatically reconnect.
a. Please note that once you've configured and connected to the VPN, you can use the following shortcut to connect again in the future. Simply locate the Pulse Secure icon in your Menu Bar > click on the Pulse Secure icon > hover over the 'Kean VPN' connection you just set up > Click Connect.
b. If you prefer the traditional connection method however, open Pulse Secure (as shown in Step 1a) > click Connect as shown below:
*Note: Regardless of which connection method you choose, you will still need to authenticate the VPN connection using you Domain credentials as outlined in Step 5.
7. Once the connection is successfully established, you will notice a green check mark as shown below; confirming that your connection is secure and operating as required. You can verify this by either referencing the Pulse Secure icon in the Menu Bar, or in the Pulse Secure application, as shown below. Now that you are connected to the VPN, you may close/minimize the window and complete your Kean coursework as needed.
8. Once you have completed your Kean coursework, re-open Pulse Secure using any of the methods listed in Step 1 and click the 'Disconnect' button. You will notice that your connection will display as Disconnected and can verify this by either referencing the Pulse Secure icon in the Menu Bar, or in the Pulse Secure application, as shown below:
*Note: You may experience temporary network disruption during the disconnect process. Your network will automatically reconnect once this process is complete.