VPN is "Virtual Private Network"

Basically, a VPN is a technology that extends trustworthiness to remote computers & users while using the public network. VPN uses PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol) or IPSec to connect a "remote" computer to a central VPN server in order to allow access to various services. The "remote" computer might be a home system (connecting through Telus or Shaw, or whatever) or a computer connecting wirelessly either on campus or elsewhere. The user presumably wants access to some protected resource: the "home file system"; departmental web pages; etc.

The PHAS VPN is just a subset of the UBC VPN. UBC IT provides the PHAS department with a range of IP addresses which are reserved for people with a CWL role of ca.ubc.service.vpn.phas.users. If you connect to a PHAS service with one of these IPs, the server knows that you are a trusted "phas person".

How To connect to the PHAS VPN:

1. Get yourself added to the list of CWL users who can join the PHAS VPN. Note: This is for PHAS department members only. Send a request to sysadmin@phas.ubc.ca and tell us your CWL username.
   
2. Since PHAS VPN is just a subset of the UBC VPN, to connect to the PHAS VPN you follow the same steps as used to connect to the UBC VPN (see below for instuctional links) with the exception of adding ".phas" to your CWL username.
   For example, if your CWL username is schultz, you would enter:

   schultz.phas

   as your username in the VPN login window.

Further Notes

Please see the following UBC IT page for detailed instructions:

• UBC IT myVPN Setup Documentation

• When did the problem occur, date and time?
• What is your CWL login (no passwords please)?
• What is your workstation Operating System?
• What internet service are you using (Shaw, TELUS, other)?
• Browser and it's version?