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Bielefeld IT Service Centre

Logo vom BITS mit dem Schriftzug: BITS
Fibre optic cable in the data centre
Bielefeld University | BITS

VPN

Via VPN (Virtual Private Networking), BITS provides students and staff, people from all over the world with approval for special Bielefeld University services such as library research databases or personal network drives.

Scope of services

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Important: Enter server address

To connect to the university's VPN server, this server address must be entered in the Secure Client:

vpn-gate-1.uni-bielefeld.de

Client software (Cisco Secure Client) is provided for various operating systems to establish a VPN connection to Bielefeld University.

Windows, macOS and Linux:
-> Download

Windows ARM64 for Parallels Desktop under macOS:
-> Download

Smartphones/tablets:
Download in the respective app store (search for "Cisco Secrue Client").


Before downloading, please check whether the Cisco Secure Client may already be installed on the (work) computer. In the Windows start menu or under programmes. Installation is then no longer necessary.


Encrypted connection between the end device and the VPN server via a secure connection protocol. DTLS, SSL/TLS and IPsec tunnelling protocols are supported.

Options

EDUVPN

Participation in the community of the same name takes place via EDUVPN. After successful authentication, end devices belonging to members of the university receive approval to access the Internet at the respective off-campus location. Instructions for use can be found at https://www.eduvpn.org.
 

Requirements

Target group

  • Students, employees

approval

Support

For students
BITS-Beratung (Support Office)
Room: University Main Building A0-301
Mo.–Fr. 09:30–16:00 h
Tel.: 0521 106-12777
E-mail: bits@uni-bielefeld.de

For employees with a PC workstation provided by BITS
Service Desk
Mo.–Fr. 08:00–16:00 h
Tel.: 0521 106-6000
E-mail: servicedesk@uni-bielefeld.de

For other employees
Decentralised IT support of the faculty or institution.

Manuals

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Access

Screenshot from the PRISMA portal
Screenshot from the PRISMA portal

The BITS user name and password are required to download and use the Secure Client.

In PRISMA, you can look up the user name and change the corresponding password yourself. In the "Change passwords" menu, this is the "Network access" entry.

If this entry is not available, please contact the responsible IT support (students to bits@uni-bielefeld.de, employees to their own IT support).

Error messages

The server address is not entered. As can be seen in the image, vpn-gate-1.uni-bielefeld.de must be entered in the field.

This error message appears if an incorrect VPN server or the VPN server is entered incorrectly. Ensure that the university VPN server is entered correctly or enter it again manually to be on the safe side:

vpn-gate-1.uni-bielefeld.de

There are usually two reasons for this problem under Windows.

(1) A client firewall prevents the Internet connection. As a rule, the VPN connection or Secure Client must be allowed.

(2) Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is active and prevents the Secure Client from establishing a connection. To deactivate ICS, proceed as follows:

  • Start → Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Centre → Change adapter settings
  • Right-click on the network connection used (WLAN connection or Ethernet) → Properties
  • Switch off Internet connection sharing in the "Sharing" tab
     

In this case, there is a problem loading the required programme settings. In this case, the following procedure usually helps.

Windows

1.
Uninstall the Cisco Secure Client.

2.
Delete all files in the following directories. Enter the paths directly in the address bar of the Explorer, as these may be hidden.

  • C:\%userprofile%\appdata\local\Cisco
  • C:\%ProgramData%\Cisco\Cisco Secure Client
  • and the "Cisco" folder in C:\Program Files\ or C:\Program Files (x86)

3.
Then reinstall the Secure Client.

 

MacOS

1.
Uninstall the Secure Client.

2.
Delete the "profile" folder in the /opt/cisco/secure client path.

This folder may be hidden on the hard drive. However, this folder can be found and accessed by searching for "opt".

3.
Then reinstall the Secure Client.

"Secure Client cannot be installed on this drive. Version x.y.z of the Cisco Secure Client is already installed."

Due to a previous installation, there are still components on the Mac, even if no programme is visible.

Solution:

  • Open the Terminal programme.
  • Enter the command sudo pkgutil --forget com.cisco.pkg.secureclient.vpn or sudo pkgutil --forget com.cisco.pkg.anyconnect.vpnand confirm with Enter.

  • If necessary, enter the Mac's password.

  • Close the terminal.

  • Carry out the installation again.

Error message Secure Client.

This error message under macOS appears if access for the VPN client has not been activated after installation or update.

Solution:

Allow access for Cisco Secure Client Client in the settings under "General > Login objects".

General

There is usually one of two causes for this problem.

(1) The problem may have to do with the function of the Windows shared Internet connection. Check the following:

  • Control Panel > Start Network and Sharing Centre
  • For the LAN connection network adapter, open the properties dialogue via right mouse button > Properties. Now click on the "Sharing" tab and remove any tick next to "Allow other users on the network to use this computer connection as an Internet connection". Click OK.
  • Repeat for the wireless network adapter (if available).

(2) A client firewall prevents the Internet connection. As a rule, the VPN connection or Secure Client must be allowed.

The previous Cisco VPN Client supports the so-called "Start Before Logon" feature. "Start Before Logon" establishes the VPN connection to the university network before the Windows registration takes place. Normally, this feature is not required; it is only important if the Windows registration is to take place via an ActiveDirectory server within the university.
IMPORTANT: "Start Before Logon" is not supported by the Secure Client!

If, in addition to the VPN connection to Bielefeld University, other VPN connections to other departments are to be used (e.g. Fernuni Hagen), then in the Secure Client connection window to the left of "Connect" the name

vpn-gate-1.uni-bielefeld.de

must be overwritten with the server name of the corresponding department. If the connection is successful, the new name will be saved and will also appear in the selection list the next time.

 

If a VPN connection is established, the system first checks whether a newer Secure Client version is available. If this is the case, the software upgrade is carried out automatically.

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