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What is VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Cisco AnyConnect VPN is pre-installed on your WSU laptop and can be used to connect to the WSU network when you are off-campus. This software is available to both Students and Employees.

WSU's VPN differs from commercial VPN solutions such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access VPN in that it does not offer advanced privacy for everyday browsing. Instead, WSU's VPN solution simply ensures a dedicated, secured, encrypted connection to the WSU network for access to work-based or class-based resources (such as network storage drives).

For that reason, it is unnecessary to leave WSU VPN connected at all times unless you're actively performing work or class tasks while off campus.

What is Cisco AnyConnect VPN?

Using the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client software, you can connect a WSU laptop to the WSU network from off-campus. The data sent over our VPN is encrypted to preserve security. This connection enables the same network access you have while on-campus. This includes:

Certain WSU-specific web applications that may not work from off-campus.
Network storage drives (e.g., personal storage, class storage, departmental storage, "R drive," or "S drive" etc.)

How do I use Cisco AnyConnect VPN?

The Cisco AnyConnect VPN software is pre-installed on your WSU laptop. VPN is not usually necessary on desktop computers that live on campus in offices. If your WSU desktop computer is unable to access specific network resources, please contact WSU Tech Support.

Which VPN connection do I use?

WSU offers two specific VPN connections: The tunnel.winona.edu VPN is for student access. The ot.winona.edu VPN is for employee access. OT stands for Other Tunnel.

Both VPN connections offer industry-standard security measures, they simply divide off resources from one another. For example, an employee who connects to tunnel.winona.edu will still be connected to the WSU VPN, they just may not have access to the specific work resources they're looking for.

When using VPN, ensure you type in tunnel.winona.edu if you are a student and ot.winona.edu if you are an employee.

How do I connect to tunnel.winona.edu? (Student)

Windows 10

Open the start menu and type Cisco
Select 'Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client' when it appears
If it does not appear, open your internet browser and go to https://tunnel.winona.edu
You will be prompted to Connect and login to WSU with your StarID and password.

macOS

Click on Spotlight in the upper right corner
Type in "Cisco"
Select "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client"

Connect to tunnel.winona.edu

Click Connect then enter your StarID and password to login

How do I connect to ot.winona.edu? (Employee)

Windows 10

Open the start menu and type Cisco
Select 'Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client' when it appears
If it does not appear, open your internet browser and go to https://tunnel.winona.edu
You will be prompted to Connect and login to WSU with your StarID and password.

macOS

Click on Spotlight in the upper right corner
Type in "Cisco"
Select "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client"

Connect to ot.winona.edu

Use your StarID and password when prompted to login

Fig 1. In the start menu, click this icon to go to your Network Drives.

Map Network Drives

Mapping network storage for Employees

Windows 10

You will need to manually map your Personal Network Storage also referred to as R: drive.

Open File Explorer from the Taskbar
Use the drop down arrow in the top menu for 'Map network drive' and select Map network drive
Type the following in Folder: \\store\users\(your StarID)
Select 'Reconnect at sign-in'
Finish

macOS

Use the Finder
Go
Connect to Server
Server address for Employees to get to personal storage: smb://store.winona.edu/users/Your.StarID.Here
Server address for Employees to get to department drive: smb://store.winona.edu/department