VPN / Forticlient

Summary

University faculty and staff can access campus resources remotely using UConnect, a VPN service powered by FortiClient.​​​​​​​

Body

Overview

University faculty and staff can access campus resources remotely using UConnect, a VPN service powered by FortiClient.

Why is this important?  From time to time, you may need to work remotely (not on campus) and may need access some resources on campus that are behind the campus' firewall.

Resources that need a VPN Connection

  • Desktop computer in your Office
  • Department Network Share Drive
  • Administrative Applications (Banner, FinAid, etc)

Resources that don't need a VPN Connection

  • Any Microsoft 365 Application (Outlook, Word, One-Drive)
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Moodle

A UConnect account will establish a secure connection between your computer off-campus, to the resource on-campus.

Step 1 Request an Account

Before you are able to use UConnect, you will need to request a UConnect account.

Step 2 Download and Configure the VPN Client

For University owned machines you can install FortiClient through your computer's designated app management platform:

For personally owned computers and certain non-managed University devices, you will need to manually configure the VPN Client.

Step 3 (Optional) Connect to your Desktop or Shared Drive on Campus

If you will be connecting to a computer or server on campus, you will need to setup an application called "Remote Desktop Connection" on the device you will have with you off-campus. 

Putting it All Together

After setting up your UConnect account, installing and configuring FortiClient, and preparing your desktop for remote access (if needed), you can check the "connect to campus resources" box on your work remote checklist.

To connect to campus resources:

  1. Launch FortiClient VPN: Open the FortiClient VPN application and log in. Once connected, you can access mapped drives, Banner applications, and other campus resources.
  2. Connect to a Campus Computer (if applicable): If you need to access a specific computer on campus, launch the Remote Desktop Client and sign in to your campus computer.
  3. Disconnect from VPN: When you finish your session, remember to log out of or disconnect from the VPN. Leaving the VPN connected can sometimes interfere with other internet connections as it establishes a secure connection that may block certain network traffic.

Details

Details

Article ID: 20076
Created
Wed 2/19/25 8:32 AM
Modified
Thu 1/29/26 12:25 PM

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Attachments

pdf

How to map a Network Share.pdf  · 81 KB Computer

Fri 8/22/25 10:58 AM
pdf

Install FortiClient - Company Portal.pdf  · 112 KB Computer

Mon 6/23/25 12:39 PM
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Install FortiClient - Software Center.pdf  · 137 KB Computer

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Intune Enrolled PC Remote Desktop Instructions.pdf  · 701 KB Computer

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UConnect MFA Instuctions.pdf  · 240 KB Computer

Wed 6/4/25 8:27 AM
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WIN Domain PC Remote Desktop Instructions.pdf  · 320 KB Computer

Thu 6/5/25 9:13 AM
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