How do I connect to the Purdue VPN?

Overview

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is used to allow authorized computers access to a central server remotely. Purdue students, staff, and faculty may use a VPN for several reasons: accessing course materials you might not otherwise be able to access from home, mapping the Home Directory Drive, and other networking purposes. For more detailed explanation of the Purdue VPN, please visit https://it.purdue.edu/services/vpn.php .  

Purdue Northwest: For information on connecting to the Purdue Northwest VPN, see "How to connect to the Purdue Northwest VPN (virtual private network)."

Purdue Fort Wayne: For information on connecting to the Purdue Fort Wayne VPN, see "How to connect to the Purdue Fort Wayne VPN (virtual private network)."
 

Instructions (West Lafayette)

Connect to the Purdue VPN Using Cisco Secure Client 

Cisco Secure Client now uses Purdue's Microsoft Entra ID sign-in process for authentication. When connecting to the VPN, a web browser window or tab will automatically open to complete sign-in and multifactor authentication (MFA). This is expected behavior. 

Connect to the Purdue VPN 

  1. Launch the Cisco Secure Client. 

  1. Enter the VPN profile name (i.e. webvpn.purdue.edu) and select Connect. 

  1. A new tab will automatically open in your default web browser for sign-in. 

  1. On the Purdue sign-in page, enter your Purdue email address (username@purdue.edu) and press Next. 

  1. In the password field, enter your Purdue Career Account password. 

  1. Select Sign in. 

  1. Complete the Microsoft MFA verification using your registered authentication method 

  1. A success message will appear.  After successful authentication, close the browser tab and return to the Cisco Secure Client. 

  1. Cisco Secure Client will automatically complete the connection and display a status of Connected. 

Note: Cisco Secure Client now uses Purdue's Microsoft Entra ID sign-in process. During login, a separate browser window or tab will open to complete authentication. This is expected behavior. 

Connecting to VPN before signing into Windows

See How to use Start Before Login (SBL)

Troubleshooting Tips 

If any of the troubleshooting tips below do not resolve your issue then please contact your campus’s Purdue IT Service Desk. The Purdue IT Service Desk can be reached at 765-494-4000. 

I selected Connect, but no browser window or tab opened. 

Try the following: 

  1. Check your taskbar or dock for an existing browser window that may have opened behind other applications. 

  1. Verify that a default web browser is configured on your device. 

  1. Minimize or close other windows and attempt the VPN connection again. 

  1. Disconnect from the VPN, close Cisco Secure Client, reopen the application, and try again. 

  1. Restart your computer and attempt to reconnect. 

  1. If you use multiple monitors, check all displays for the browser window. 

Authentication Failed 

If Cisco Secure Client displays "Authentication Failed" after you successfully complete Purdue sign-in and MFA, your account may not be authorized to use the selected VPN profile. 


Other helpful articles:

 

Library Resources 

Unfortunately, due to our campus license agreements and the VPN IP address pool, you will not be able to access the library electronic resources when connecting through the campus VPN. Please use the methods outlined in https://www.lib.purdue.edu/help/access#vpn to access electronic resources off-campus. 

NOTE: You may have to disconnect your VPN if you are experiencing difficulties accessing electronic resources when off campus.

Please contact the Libraries eResources support team if you have further questions. 

If you are unable to connect to the Purdue VPN with the 'AnyConnect' client please contact the Purdue IT Customer Service center at (765) 494-4000 or click the "Purdue IT Request" button.  We can help you with a few additional ways to connect to the VPN. 

 

Still need help?  Click the 'Purdue IT Request' button to start a ticket.

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