WLAN and VPN
The University IT Services offers WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) in every University building. If you would like to securely connect to the University's WLAN from your laptop, you need a VPN client. You also need a VPN client to connect to the University network from home. Additionally, there are "red plugs" (rote Dosen), where you can connect to the internet with an ethernet cable and do not need a VPN client.
WLAN
You can see where the University's WLAN is available by double clicking on different locations on the following map.
In order to access the University's WLAN, you need a laptop with the standard 802.11 b/g wireless card, a valid Uni-Account, RAS password, which you can set up in myAccount. You will also need to download the suitable VPN software in order to authenticate and codify your connection.
VPN
VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network and allows you to securely connect to the University's internet network: Uni-WLAN. When you connect to the VPN, your computer sets up a temporarily public University IP address. Connecting to WLAN through a VPN client gives you access to various University online services. At home or on on-the-go, a VPN can be downloaded onto personal digital devices, such as cell phones or palm pilots. Each system or device has its suitable VPN client software. You can also access the University's e-journals. Find out more about whether your VPN gives you access to e-journals at the University Library's ReDi homepage.
A one-time installation of the VPN client software is necessary. Thereafter, each time you wish to connect to the University Network, you must enter your Uni-Account username and RAS password.
Due to University liscensing agreements, the pre-configured Cisco VPN clients can only be downloaded in the following two ways:
- Download with a PC in the Freiburg University network
- Download with your Uni-Account
- Download without through the University's campus WLAN (network "WLANuni-fr") or via the "red plugs" (rote Dosen).
Short instructions for assessing the campus WLAN with a laptop
1) Set up a RAS password in myAccount at any computer with internet access.
2) Activate the wireless card in your laptop. In the bottom right corner of the task bar there should be a network symbol. Right mouse click on this symbol and choose the option “Wireless Networks Available” from the pop-up window (in Windows XP). In Windows 7 left mouse click on this symbol. If you are in the campus wireless area, then the network “WLANuni-fr” will show. Simply click on “Connect.”
3) Install the VPN software by opening an internet browser and enter http://www.vpn.uni-freiburg.de
4) Download the VPN software that corresponds to your computer and operating system, run the program to install it on your computer.
5) Open the Cisco-VPN Client program and click on “connect.” Enter your Uni-Account username and RAS password. In the next window click on “continue,” and this will then securely connect you to the Freiburg University wireless network.
*In order to use the Freiburg University WLAN, you will have to verify the VPN-Client with each new connection.
Here is a video in English giving a full explanation for connecting via VPN.