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Parts of the school's curriculum are not available from off campus without special connectivity for greater security. The software used to connect directly to the UT Southwestern network is called Virtual Private Networking (VPN).  Cisco VPN has been the software used here at UTSouthwestern; however, there is now a new web alternative to Cisco VPN, it is Juniper VPN.  For directions on obtaining and using Juniper VPN, click here.  
(Note:  Information Resources recommends the use of Juniper VPN: however, there are no plans to disable Cisco VPN at this time.)

Examples of systems that will need VPN to be reached from remote locations such as home and while travelling are:

• Videos of the MS2 lectures
• e-journal subscriptions
• Common medical reference books, such as Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, and
• Internal only content on the Web Curriculum site

Below are the directions for obtaining and using Cisco VPN. 

Instructions for Downloading Cisco VPN

1. Open a browser window. 
2. Go to the Cisco VPN Download page.
3. Select the appropriate VPN version.
4. A window will appear asking for confirmation of the download. Select "Continue." The VPN install will now be downloaded. After the installer folder has downloaded, it will open automatically.

Installing Cisco VPN

1. Close all open programs while leaving the installer folder open. This is a critical step to ensure VPN is loaded correctly.
2. Double-click the VPN Installer file (Cisco VPN Client.mpkg) downloaded earlier. 
3. The installer program will launch. Select "Continue" in the first window that appears.
   
   
   
   
4. Confirm the program installation by selecting "Continue" from the next window.
   
   
   
   
5. Select "Continue" in the license agreement window to confirm acceptance. Select "Agree" if another license dialog box appears.
   
   
   
   
6. Select "Install."
   
   
   
   
7. A prompt for User ID and password will appear. This is NOT your SouthwesternID and password. This is a separate User ID and password combination needed to install material on the computer. This account would have been created when the computer was first configured.
   
   
   
   
8. The installation will now begin. There will be a progress bar reporting the status.
   
   
   
   
9. When the installation is complete, select "Close" in the bottom right corner of the window. The installation is now complete.
   
   

Running Cisco VPN

1. Before running VPN, confirm the use of the UTSW location by selecting "Location" from the Apple menu.
   
   
   
   
2. Confirm UTSW is checked. If it doesn't appear, go to the internal site "Creating a UTSW Location" for set-up directions.
3. Select the "Finder" icon from the Dock.
   
   
   
   
4. Select "Applications."
   
   
   
   
5. The Cisco VPN client should appear here. Drag the client to the Dock bar at the bottom of your screen for easy access later.
   
   
   
   
6. The main screen of VPN displays.  Double-click on "UTSW Remote without NAT." Some Internet Service Providers use NAT and some do not.  If this profile does not work, try the other remote profile.
7. A window requesting a Southwestern ID and password will appear. Enter the appropriate information.
   
   
   
   
8. In order to proceed, consent to have the network monitor activity must be accepted. Select "Continue" to acknowledge acceptance.
   
   
   
   
9. Cisco VPN is now connected and all internal or "locked" materials are available. Access the materials as if on campus.

For assistance with any of the steps above, please e-mail or call (214-648-7600) the IR Call Center.