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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN Pulse Secure

The Florida Atlantic University Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the FAU network, and enables access to certain University resources from outside networks.

FAU's VPN supports Windows 8.1 and 10 (64 bit), Mac OSX 10.13 and later, Android 7.0 or later, and Apple iOS 12 or later. If you would like to request VPN access, please open a service request at the FAU Help Desk.

How to Access FAU's VPN Network

Once your VPN access has been approved, please download & install the VPN Client Software installation file that is appropriate for your operating system. When setting up the URL to connect to in the Pulse Secure client, use the URL https://vpn.fau.edu or see the instructions below for the "Pulse Secure" mobile access.

Note: You must have multi-factor authentication enabled to use our VPN services. See details below.

Desktop & Laptop Clients

Once your VPN access has been approved, please download & install the VPN Client Software installation file that is appropriate for your operating system. When setting up the URL to connect to in the Pulse Secure client, use the URL https://vpn.fau.edu or see the instructions below for the "Pulse Secure" mobile access.

Windows (Including Surface Pro Tablets)

Only Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 are supported. Install the Pulse Secure Windows client software and then follow the instruction bellow.

Macintosh

Only Mac OS X 10.13 and later are supported. If you are running an older version of Mac OS X, you will need to upgrade it before installing the VPN client software. Install the Pulse Secure MAC OS X client software and then follow the instruction bellow.


Mobile Clients | Tablets & Phones

Once your VPN access has been approved, download & install the VPN Client Software installation file that is appropriate for your operating system. When setting up the URL to connect to in the Pulse Secure client, use the URL https://vpn.fau.edu or see the instructions below for the "Pulse Secure" mobile access.

IOS (iPhone/iPad)

Only Apple iOS 12 or later are supported.

  • Install the "Pulse Secure" Apple IOS Client from the Apple App Store.
  • Add a VPN connection and enter https://vpn.fau.edu as the Server Address.
  • Click Connect & enter your FAUNet ID and password when prompted.
  • Select your preferred method of two-factor authentication when the Duo prompt appears.

Note: if you have the old Junos Pulse IOS Mobile client installed, you must uninstall that client before installing the "Pulse Secure" client.

Android (Phones & Tablets)

Only Android 7.0 or later are supported.

  • Install the "Pulse Secure" Android Client from Google Play Store application on your device.
  • Add a VPN connection and enter https://vpn.fau.edu as the Server Address.
  • Click Connect & enter your FAUNet ID and password when prompted.
  • Select your preferred method of two-factor authentication when the Duo prompt appears.

Note: if you have the old Junos Pulse Android client installed, you must uninstall that client before installing the "Pulse Secure" client.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Windows and Macintosh VPN clients provide access to sensitive services that the iOS and Android clients do not. For this reason, the Windows and Macintosh VPN clients will prompt a user for a secondary password.

When using the Windows or Macintosh VPN client, you will be prompted for a second log in after entering your FAU NetID username and password and trying to connect to the VPN like normal. Enter one of the following into the secondary password field depending on the options you selected when enrolling for Duo two-factor:

  • Enter push into the secondary password field and press enter to push an authentication request to your phone or tablet if you are using the smartphone application.
  • Enter sms into the secondary password field to have a code sent to you via text message. (You will enter the code once the dialog prompts you again.)
  • Enter phone into the secondary password field to receive a phone call to confirm the authentication request.

Alternatively, if you have key FOB, you can enter the code into the secondary password field. Visit the multi-factor authentication page for information about how to enroll for it.

Further Information

Backup/Disaster Recovery VPN

A backup VPN is located at the Northwest Regional Datacenter (NWRDC). This VPN has the same access as the main VPN detailed above, but it may be used whenever the main VPN is not available or in a disaster recovery situation. To utilize the backup VPN, add a second connection to your Pulse Secure client using the instructions above but substitute https://vpnnw.fau.edu as the connection URL. Please note that this backup VPN connection is slower than the main VPN connection so it should only be used when the main VPN is unavailable.

Note: VPN client upgrades are installed automatically from the server as needed after the initial client installation. These are necessary to keep the client software up to date.