Configuring and using the Birkbeck VPN using OS X 10.5

Macintosh operating systems are not supported by ITS except on a best efforts basis to provide access to network resources, and these notes are provided for guidance only. This guide was prepared using OS X 10.5.

Please ensure that you have read the VPN introduction giving a brief background to the VPN service, before configuring your computer.

Initial configuration (you only need to do this once)

1. Click on System Preferences in the Apple menu.

Apple menu with System Preference highlighted

2. Click on the Network icon in the System Preferences box (as circled below).

Apple system preferences with network icon highlighted

3. At this stage you will need to add the VPN service. To do this click on the "+" sign in the bottom left hand corner of the Network box (as circled below).

Apple network screen with plus sign highlighted

The following New Service box will appear.

Apple new service box

4. Select VPN from the Interface drop down menu in the New Service box.

New service box with VPN highlighted

5. Select PPTP from the VPN Type drop down menu.

VPN Type with PPTP selected

6. Type a name to identify the VPN connection you are creating in the Service Name box (eg "BBK VPN"). Click on Create.

Service name box with vpn name

7. Select Add Configuration from the Configuration drop down menu.

Add configuration highlighted from the configuration drop down

8. Type a name for the Configuration in the Name box (eg BBK VPN) and click on Create.

Illustrating naming the configuration

9. Type in the Birkbeck VPN server’s IP address (193.61.20.50) in the Server Address box and type your ITS username in the Account Name box.

Leave the Encryption setting as Automatic (128 bit or 40 bit)  or change to this if it is set differently.

Birkbeck VPN connection settings displayed

10. Click on Apply (as circled below).

Apply the VPN settings with the Apply button highlighted

Close the System Preferences box and your Birkbeck VPN connection is now created.

Starting the Birkbeck VPN Connection

1. To start the Birkbeck VPN at any time, you click on the VPN icon on the left of the menu bar  (as shown below) and click on Connect BBK VPN (or whatever you called it in the configuration stage).

The VPN icon and dropdown

2. Enter your ITS username and password in the relevant boxes and click on OK.

VPN username and password box

The VPN icon will then change in the menu bar to show that you have successfully connected and how long you are connected for.

VPN icon illustrating a successful connection

Disconnecting From the Birkbeck VPN Connection.

To disconnect from the Birkbeck VPN you just need to click on Disconnect BBK VPN from the VPN drop down menu in the menu bar.

VPN dropdown, with disconnect option highlighted

Follow the instructions in the documentation for OS X 10.4 for mounting your network drive.