VPN in the TU Dresden data network

what is VPN?

VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" (dt. virtuelles privates Netz). With VPN it is possible to create secure connections between open and unprotected networks (internet, wireless LAN) and a secure network by protecting communication against eavesdropping. This is realized by tunneling the data tranfer through a VPN-Gateway. The connection is encrypted and has to be authenticated.

VPN usage within the TU Dresden data network

A VPN connection provides access to several services in the TU Dresden data network. The setup of VPN is needed if you want to use the following services:

• Usage of the access-restricted intranet offer of the institutes and facilities of the TU Dresden, e.g. the file server
• Access to protected resources of the Sächsische Landesbibliothek - Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden (SLUB), e.g. expert data bases
• Encryption of the communication in the central wireless LAN-Network VPN/WEB 
• Usage of the high performance computers of the ZIH (HPC) from outside of the TU Dresden data network
• Access to the accwss-restricted information in the intranet of the Zentrale Universitätsverwaltung (ZUV)
• Remote Update of the Sophos Anti-Virus-Software in the ZIH

To be able to use VPN connections you need a ZIH login and a client programm respectively a browser. The VPN-Gateway in the data network  supports the following protocols:

• SSL/DTLS with the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (recommendet version)
• WebVPN
• L2TP/IPSec

For admins the VPN access is protected with a 2-Factor-Authentification.

Information about VPN