Tips: ITU/VPN service

Especially in the distance education period we are in, we may need to connect to the Internet network over ITU/NET, even if we are physically unable to be in ITU campuses. For example, we need to be connected to ITU/NET to access library electronic resources from outside the campus, or to download and license genuine software provided exclusively to ITU students and staff on the ITU software server

In this article, we talk about how you can access ITU/NET from outside the campus using the ITU/VPN service.

ITU/VPN Service (Virtual Private Networks)

VPN is a network technology that enables users to securely access their corporate resources over public networks such as the Internet. Encrypted virtual connections established over the ITU/VPN service allow you to benefit from services (access to the ITU software server, access to licensed programs, licensing services, etc.) that can be used via ITU/NET even if you are outside the campus. When you use the ITU/VPN service while outside the campus, an ITU/NET IP address is assigned to your computer. Thanks to this IP address, you can only use the services provided on ITU/NET.

ITU Information Technology Department (BİDB) provides three separate VPN services to provide secure access to ITU / NET from outside the campus.:

1. Academic VPN
2. Student VPN
3. Administrative VPN

ITU/VPN Application Via ITU Portal

You can and apply for ITU/VPN and enable/disable your access via ITU Portal..

1. ITU Academic VPN Service

Although academic VPN service is enabled by default for ITU academics, it can be turned off optionally and then turned back on. While using the Academic VPN service, all data is transferred through the VPN tunnel. Library resources and academic databases can be used with the academic VPN service. All ITU members who use the academic VPN service are deemed to have accepted the ITU/VPN Usage Policy.

ITU academics must fill the VPN service form on portal.itu.edu.tr to activate Academic VPN services. Click for Academic VPN account management details on ITU Portal.

Connection scheme of ITU Academic VPN service. In Academic VPN service, all data is transferred through the VPN tunnel.

2. ITU Student VPN Service

Student VPN service can only be used to access ITU / NET. For example, software that needs connection to the ITU license servers can be activated remotely. While using the Student VPN service, only the data transfer on ITU/NET is transferred through the VPN tunnel. Students cannot connect to academic databases with VPN service. Students who want to use library resources and academic databases are required to apply to ITU Library and Documentation Department and receive proxy service. All ITU members who use the student VPN service are deemed to have accepted the ITU/VPN Usage Policy.

ITU students must fill in the VPN service form on portal.itu.edu.tr, and confirm this request by an ITU academic they chose while filling out the form on ITU Portal to benefit from the Student VPN service. Click for Student VPN application details on ITU Portal.

Connection scheme of ITU Student VPN service. In student VPN service, only the data transfer on ITU/NET is transferred through the VPN tunnel.

The steps that ITU academicians should follow to approve and activate the ITU/NET Student VPN Service applications of students are also detailed by the BİDB (Information Technology Department) in the instruction on this link.

ITU/VPN Connection Settings

After logging into ITU Portal, you can click on the ITU/VPN Connection Settings link to access the instructions of the BİDB. In these instructions, the settings to be made for PCs (Windows, Mac, Linux) and mobile devices (iOS, Android, Windows Phone) for Academic, Student, Administrative and GlobalProtect protocols are explained step by step.

Since the ITU / VPN connection is only available to ITU students, academic and administrative staff, you can view the instructions and the connection settings after logging into ITU Portal..

 

ITU/VPN, Security and Privacy

• When you activate the ITU/VPN connection, an encrypted tunnel is created between your computer and ITU/NET. Although this connection is encrypted by ITU VPN, it is recommended that you pay attention to the security procedures that must be followed in the Internet environment by the ITU BİDB (using a firewall, keeping the antivirus program up-to-date, etc.).
• While connected to ITU network with ITU/VPN, all your Internet activity is transferred over ITU/NET. In order to use the service infrastructure effectively, turn off your VPN connection after you complete your academic transactions that you can only do over ITU/NET, such as library access or software licensing. For example, watching a video broadcast from a service such as YouTube while connected with ITU/VPN may slow down the service for all parties as data packages have to pass through the ITU/NET VPN Gateway infrastructure first.
• While using the ITU / VPN service, you are deemed to have accepted the ITU/VPN Usage Policy. While connected with VPN, do not download illegal data (pirated content, illegal P2P, etc.), do not visit websites that may create security weaknesses/malicious intent. ITU/BİDB reserves the right to discontinue the user’s ITU/VPN service without warning, in case ITU/VPN Usage Policies are not complied with. For more information: https://www.bidb.itu.edu.tr/politikalar/vpn-kullanim-politikalari
• Your VPN connection credintials are passwords that should only be yours. You should not share these passwords with anyone..

İTÜ/BİDB Digital Certificates

The purpose of the certificate services offered by ITU/BİDB is to make all the services provided more secure. With ITU/BİDB Certificate Services, you can connect to ITU e-mail services and ITU web applications that support HTTPS protocol more securely. With the ITU/BİDB Certificate Services, an encrypted connection is established between client and server. Thanks to this encryption, even if the messages sent and received between the client and server are intercepted by malicious people, their content cannot be read

İTÜIn order to benefit from ITU/VPN services without any security warning, you must first install ITU Root Certificates on your computer. Click to download and install the ITU/BİDB certificates suitable for your device and operating system..

P.S.: The instructions and explanations in this article are based on the information provided by ITU Information Technology Department (BİDB) as of June 2020. You can get the most up-to-date information for changes in rules, procedures or methodologies at https://bidb.itu.edu.tr/hizmetler/vpn.

Accessing the Library via a Proxy Server

In addition to the ITU/VPN service, you can access ITU’s library resources from outside the campus by logging in with your library account and using the proxy server. You can access the library off-campus with a one-time adjustment on your computer. After making this adjustment, you can access library electronic resources (e.g. ScienceDirect) as if you are connecting from within the campus.. Click for ITU library proxy server access settings.

 

Hoping that this information will be useful for your access to campus networking facilities, stay healthy until we meet again on the ITU campuses…

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Oğuz Orkun Doma, Res. Assist.