VPN Access and Usage
What you will need—
A faculty or staff role at BYU or approval from a faculty member for BYU students
Order VPN with OIT (it.byu.edu)
Download and install the Cisco AnyConnect Client (software.byu.edu)
Internet Connection
Students also need to contact LSIT (2-7178) about Remote Desktop Access
VPN Approval
VPN service at BYU is provided through OIT. A VPN is a secure connection from anywhere off campus,
allowing you to access your computer on campus. By using a VPN, you can access your data and
applications here at BYU. To use this service, go to this link at it.byu.edu, log in, and select Order.
It will usually take 24 hours for the order to complete. Once it is completed, OIT should email you.
Cisco AnyConnect Client
You will also need the VPN client installed on the computer you are connecting from. To do this, go to
software.byu.edu, log in, and select Cisco Systems and then Download Now for Cisco AnyConnect.
Select I Agree and then download the appropriate software version for your computer.
VPN Usage
After OIT has approved your VPN account and you have the Cisco AnyConnect Client installed, you can
open the Cisco AnyConnect program on your computer and enter cmps-vpn.byu.edu. Select Connect.
After you enter your NetID and password, a connection will be established to campus. It is strongly
recommended that you have both an up-to-date antivirus along with current OS patches installed
anytime you use VPN because anything malicious on your computer could potentially impact the BYU
network.
Now, you will need to use Remote Desktop Connection (Windows) or VNC (Mac), depending on your
type of computer on campus.
Windows—Remote Desktop
For Remote Desktop Connection, simply connect by entering your computer name or the IP address of
your campus computer. These can be found through command prompt using the hostname and the
ipconfig command.
So, for this computer, I could connect to LSCSR4.byu.edu or 10.35.36.17.
Mac—VNC
For VNC, I need to make sure I first configure the proper settings on my Mac. Go to System
Preferences—Screen Sharing.
Make sure screen sharing is on, add the user on this computer that you will use when connecting, and
take note of the computer name.
When connecting using VNC, navigate to Go—Connect to Server. Then, in Server Address, enter the vnc
command followed by the computer name, which in this example is vnc://lscsr5.byu.edu. Select
Connect. Use the account name and password associated with the one you allowed screen sharing
access on your BYU computer.
LSIT Contact Details
With all the steps listed above, I realize that there is a lot information. If you have any questions or
issues, please contact us at 801.422.7178, email [email protected], or create a ticket at scinet.byu.edu.
Created June 19, 2015
David Brown