A guide to the Virtual Private Network (VPN)

What is the VPN?

The VPN service at the University of Warwick is designed to provide users with a secure and easy way to access university network services and resources not normally available when working off-campus. It works by creating a private, encrypted route through which a user's device can connect to the internet while keeping their personal information, location, and other data private.

To use the VPN for the first time, you will need to request access by completing this self-service form on our Service Portal.

You need the VPN when you:

• are working remotely at home, or in an off-campus work location and need secure access to University of Warwick network services and resources.

• want to access resources on the internet that are limited to academic institutions.

• want to access files stored locally on your office computer or use an application which is only licensed to operate from your office computer via a remote desktop application.

• are working from home (WFH), you should connect your managed device to the VPN regularly to get the best service, to receive regular software and security updates, to synchronise your offline files, applications, and any group policy updates. This will ensure your user experience is similar to working on campus. Offline files are from the last time the documents folder was synchronised with your central H: drive. From that point, they are cached locally, and any new documents or existing ones are only stored locally.

You do not need the VPN:

• To access your University of Warwick (UoW) email using Microsoft 365. Please visit https://webmail.warwick.ac.uk/Link opens in a new window

• To access SITS or SAP services using the Workspace service to access Workspace click here: VMware Horizon.Link opens in a new window

• To log in to Windows, Microsoft365, and benefit from Antivirus updates.

Availability

The Warwick campus VPN service:

• Provides a secure method to connect to the University campus network regardless of where you are connecting from.

• Works over a wireless or wired internet connection.

• Is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except during planned maintenance.

• Enforces a maximum continuous connection of 12 hours.

• Is not available from the Residential Network

VPN performance, limitations and rules

The VPN is a contended service used by many, and therefore bandwidth speeds are limited, unlike faster performance bandwidth speeds experienced on Campus. Therefore, when working remotely, please consider that when working with extremely large files and data, this could impact the performance considerably, due to speed limitations and the capacity of the service by design.

Additionally, home working personal ISP broadband services (not supported by the university) may impact performance due to ISP speeds and capacity limitations, depending on the products used.

When working overseas, please consider that some countries may have local laws in place that prohibit the use of the VPN to circumvent blocks on internet content, such as Google products or certain social media platforms, in place in other countries. These laws are beyond the university’s control and support. Campus VPN users must abide by the University's Acceptable Use Policy.Link opens in a new window

PoliciesLink opens in a new window

IMP 05: Working Abroad Information Security PolicyLink opens in a new window.

VPN home working

When working from home (WFH), you should be connecting your managed desktop to the VPN regularly to ensure optimal stability of your managed desktop. This will help to sync your offline files, application and group policy updates and provide a similar experience as when working on campus.

As part of the MFA log-in, you'll need to use your usercode@live.warwick.ac.uk address.