Mac VPN Set-up

Connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides users access to network resources from an off-campus location.  

Follow these steps to set-up the VPN on a Mac computer. 

1. Open System Preferences, and click on Network
2. Click the plus icon in the bottom left of the Network Preferences window
3. Select VPN under Interface
4. Select L2TP over IPSec under VPN Type
5. Type a description for the VPN in the Service Name box (for example, MSTATE VPN)
6. Click create
7. Server Address:
   • Server address for Faculty and Staff - vpn2.minnesota.edu 
   • Server address for Students - SpartanVPN.minnesota.edu
8. Type your STARID in the Account Name text box
9. Click Authentication Settings
10. Select Username and type your STARID password in the text box
11. Select Shared Secret and type vpn@mstate in the text box
12. Click OK
13. Click Advanced
14. Check the "Send all traffic over VPN connection" box
15. Click OK
16. Click Connect

If the VPN does not seem to be working even though it's connected, try this:  Click the gear icon at the bottom of the list and select "Set Service Order." That will let you drag the traffic priority around for each interface. Put the VPN at the top.

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