Colby VPN Connection - Mac OSX

NetExtender VPN Client Installation

1 )  Download the Mac Client.

2 ) Click on (or browse to) https://vpn1.colby.edu

3 )  Enter your Colby account information in the dialog box.  Make sure that COLBY is selected as the domain as indicated below:  

vpnlogin

4 )  After authenticating you will be directed to the VPN portal page.  Depending on your browser type (Safari or Firefox), you may be required to allow popups from the web site and grant permission for the intaller to run.  Any required instructions will appear in the installer window - make sure to follow the instructions and grant/allow permission whenever asked. 

If the installer does not start automatically, click on the installer (NetExtender) icon to begin the installation:

netextender-start

5 )  When the installation completes, the VPN should automatically connect, resulting in the following status window:

vpnconnected-mac

 6 )  As a final step, click and hold your mouse button on the NetExtender icon (NetExtender-icon) in your dock (located along the bottom of the screen) and select 'Keep In Dock.'  This will make it easier to launch the VPN on your computer.

** SPECIAL NOTE TO OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Users

Apple OSX 10.6 users may encounter an error when connection to the VPN using NetExtender.  This is due to a file permission change by Apple.  This is a temporary workaround until an updated client becomes available and requires system root access:

In a terminal session window, issue the following command.  Note that this operation requires that your account has administrator rights, you will be prompted for your administrator account password.

sudo chmod u+s /usr/sbin/pppd

 

 Connecting to the VPN

Once the NetExtender client is installed on your computer, it can be run at any time to connect to the VPN (an Internet connection is required).  The program can be launched using any of the following methods:

  • Click the NetExtender icon NetExtender-icon in the OSX dock (step 5 above) to launch the program
  • Run the NetExtender program from the 'Applications' folder
  • Visit https://vpn1.colby.edu with a web browser

A valid Colby account username and password will be required for every connection.

A successful connection will yield a 'connected' status window:

vpnconnected-mac

(note that the IP address is greyed out for security reasons)

To disconnect from the VPN, click the 'Disconnect' button in the status window above.

If you have questions or experience problems, Faculty and Staff may contact the Support Center at support@colby.edu or ext. 4222 and Students may contact Student Computer Services at scshelp@colby.edu or ext. 4224.