The University provides a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service for you to connect and login to the University network from off-campus locations or on-campus from personal laptops. If possible, set up the VPN on your computer while you are on campus.

Notes for staff and Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs):

• University-owned computers have Global protect already installed on Windows computers
• If you cannot see it, you can install Global protect from the Software Center or the University of Southampton Software Download Service
• If you need administrator rights on your machine, read the article "Administrator account and rights on university-owned computers"

When you need to use this service

Use this service when:

• You are working away from campus
• You need to access University IT systems and services
• You would like access to Library resources (such as databases and journals)
• You need access to your University Personal filestore (My Documents) and shared filestores

Instructions are below and you will need the following information:

• Address: globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
• Your University username
• Your University password

How to check your connection to VPN

To check that you have been successful in connecting to VPN, you can:

1. select the GlobalProtect icon from the task / menu bar:
   
2. If you are connected, you will see the following screen:
   

Another way to check your connection is through the web page Am I on VPN?.

Note that the VPN service is provided for use with University staff and student accounts, and it may not be used with generic accounts (that is, group, departmental or club accounts). Alumni will not be able to connect to VPN.

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How to install the VPN on your device

Windows

The current version of GlobalProtect requires Windows 8.1 or later

1. Connect to https://globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
2. Log in using your University account
3. Select Download Windows 64 bit GlobalProtect agent
4. The installer will download. When complete, launch the installer and follow the wizard through the installation process.
5. Once installed a globe shaped icon will appear in the Notification area.
6. Select the globe icon and enter the portal address globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
7. Select Connect. Enter user credentials when prompted.
8. You will now be connected to the University’s VPN service.
9. To disconnect, press Disconnect. The GlobalProtect icon will always appear in the Notification area, regardless of the status of the connection.

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Apple macOS

1. Log in to https://globalprotect.soton.ac.uk using your University account
2. Select the appropriate version of the agent, relevant to your OS
3. The installer will download. When complete, launch the installer
4. Follow the wizard through the installation process. At the step called "Installation type", please remember to tick the following options:
   
   1. GlobalProtect
   2. GlobalProtect System extensions
5. Once installed, a globe shaped icon will appear in the top menu bar
6. Select the globe icon and enter the portal address globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
7. Select Connect. Enter user credentials when prompted
8. You will now be connected to the University’s VPN service
9. To disconnect, press Disconnect. The GlobalProtect icon will always appear in the Notification area, regardless of the status of the connection.

Please note: you may have to allow the GlobalProtect application to connect with the university system. In order to do this select the following:

• On Sonoma OS or later:
  1. Select the Apple menu from the menu bar
  2. Select System Settings... from the drop-down menu
  3. Select General
  4. Select Login items
  5. Scroll down to the section Allow in the Background
  6. Ensure that the option to allow Palo Alto Networks is turned on.
     
     
• On Ventura OS:
  
  1. Select the Apple menu from the menu bar
  2. Select System Settings... from the drop-down menu
  3. Select Privacy & Security 
  4. Scroll down to the section Security
  5. Ensure that the option to allow Palo Alto Networks is set to Allow. If it is not, please select the button Allow to turn it on.
     
     
• On Monterey OS or older versions:
  1. Select the Apple menu from the menu bar
  2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu
  3. Select Security and Privacy 
  4. Select General
  5. Ensure that the option to allow Palo Alto Networks is set to Allow. If it is not, please select the button Allow to turn it on.
  6. Once completed, click the lock icon to make the changes.

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Android

1. In the Google Play Store, search for and install the GlobalProtect app, published by Palo Alto Networks
2. When installed, select Open and enter the portal information as globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
3. Tap on the shield to connect and enter your University credentials. You will now be connected to the University’s VPN service. An icon resembling a key will appear in the top bar
4. To disconnect, open the GlobalProtect and tap on the shield icon.

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Apple iOS

1. In the Apple App Store, search for and install the GlobalProtect app, published by Palo Alto Networks.
2. When installed, open the app and enter the portal information as globalprotect.soton.ac.uk
3. Press Connect and enter your University credentials. You will now be connected to the University’s VPN service. A VPN icon will appear in the top bar.
4. To disconnect, press Disconnect at the bottom of the screen.

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Linux

Global Protect is the VPN application that comes pre-installed on our Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) computers. It is also available from the University of Southampton Software Download Service Please note you will not be able to use Command Line Prompt due to Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

Connecting

The first time you connect to the VPN you will need to supply some details. Please follow the steps below:

1. Launch the application by selecting the Show Applications button on the top left of your taskbar:

2. The application GUI will appear on the top right of your screen.

In the text box:

1. Enter the portal details "globalprotect.soton.ac.uk"
2. Press the Connect button just below this

3. In the next screen enter your university username (for example: ab1c24) and password:

The authentication process will begin:

You will be prompted to authenticate using Multi-Factor Authentication so be sure to have your phone to hand.

4. A new screen will open, this is for Multi Factor Authentication. Please enter your email address and your password and follow the MFA prompt:

> >

5. Once MFA has completed you will be connected to VPN.

Please note: sometimes the GlobalProtect application might ask you to go through the MFA process twice.

6. To check the connection you can select Show Applications - on the GlobalProtect app, this will pop up and show as connected

 

How to disconnect

To disconnect from the VPN you need to:

1. Launch the application from the Show Applications" button on the top left of the task bar

2. Once the application launches, you can select Disconnect.

 

How to connect to GlobalProtect by using the OpenConnect protocol

GlobalProtect 6.2 is compatible with most of the popular Linux distributions. If your distribution or version is not listed in the compatibility matrix, you might still be able to connect using the OpenConnect protocol.

OpenConnect and the necessary packages are already pre-installed on the University provided Red Hat Enterprise 9 build. It’s likely your distribution already has the necessary packages installed by default.

The install and configuration of Open Connect varies from distribution to distribution, below are the steps that allow you to set this up on a Debian / Ubuntu based system. Please note, you must have sudo access to install the packages:

1. Open a terminal and type "sudo apt install network-manager-openconnect-gnome"

2. Go to Settings, and select Network.

Close to VPN, select the "+" (plus) sign

3. Select the first option Multi-Protocol VPN Client (openconnect)

4. Please fill out the following fields with the information provided:

• Name field: SOTON-VPN
• VPN Protocol: select the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect option from the drop-down menu
• Gateway: globalprotect.soton.ac.uk

Select the Add button to go ahead.

5. Toggle the slider to initiate the VPN connection, on the new pop up box click Connect

6. Now please:

1. Enter your university username (for example: ab1c24) and password
2. Select Login

7. You will be prompted to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Once again, enter your credentials and follow the MFA prompts:

>

8. Once MFA has completed you should be see the following message "Login Successful!":

To disconnect from the VPN simply toggle the slider:

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ChromeOS

1. Open Google Play or the Web Store from your Chromebook
2. Go to the search bar and type GlobalProtect 
3. Press Enter to search
4. Install and open GlobalProtect
5. Enter globalprotect.soton.ac.uk into the prompt on the app
6. Add the connection
7. Your browser will open. It may ask you to log in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c24@soton.ac.uk)  and university password

Troubleshooting

If a window appears stating that 'This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it', please:

1. Find the Open in app button on the right of the browser address bar
2. Press that button
3. Press Open.

Repeat this step one more time if the error message appears again.

You will now see you are connected within the app.

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