OIT has a new clientless virtual private network (VPN) in production. The new Juniper VPN replaces the older and less reliable client-based VPN from Cisco. Customers that require a VPN can now login through a web browser session at http://vpn.umbc.edu
Existing Cisco users will need to migrate to the new Juniper VPN by January 2008. During the month of January 2008 the old Cisco VPN will be removed from service.
Why The New VPN?
Over the past few years the Cisco client-based VPN has frequently caused problems at the workstation level. Despite working with Cisco many of these problems were never fully resolved. Given our dependence on this important security service it was decided to look for a more reliable and easily deployable VPN.
How Is The Juniper VPN Different?
The Juniper VPN is known as an SSL based VPN. Rather than requiring the user to down load a client and install it on the machine the session is manage through the web browser. A thin-client is installed by your machines browser. This reduces the risk of machine crashes and lock-up as were witnessed with the Cisco client-based VPN.
How Do I Install It?
Instructions about how to use the new VPN can be found at http://www.umbc.edu/oit/sans/desktopsupport/vpn/index.html
What Operating Systems and Browsers Are Supported?
Windows Vista Enterprise 32-bit: Internet Explorer 7.0 and Firefox 2.0
Windows XP Pro SP2: Internet Explorer 7.0, Internet Explorer 6.0, Firefox 2.0 with Sun JRE 1.5
Windows 2000: Internet Explorer 6.0, Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2, Firefox 1.5 with Sun JRE 1.5 and 1.4.2.
Windows Server 2003: Internet Explorer 6.0
Mac OS X 10.4: Safari 2.0 running Java 1.5
Mac OS X 10.3.2: Safari 1.1 and above, running Java 1.4.2_04
Mac OS X 10.2.8: Safari 1.0 and 1.1, running above Java 1.4.1_04
OpenSUSE Linux 10.1: Firefox 2.0 running Sun JRE 1.5.0
Is It Redundant?
Yes, with the new Juniper solution we have two separate units located in different buildings on campus. If one should fail, we now have the capability to fail over quickly to the backup unit.