Outline
What is VPN?
VPN (Virtual Private Network) software connects your computer to the Dartmouth network when you work remotely. Once the VPN is activated, traffic between your computer and Dartmouth's network is encrypted, and you will have access to services just as if you were on the campus network.
Requirements: A valid Dartmouth account and an active network connection. Satellite-based internet connections will not work with VPN software.
When to Use VPN: Historically, some applications have required VPN software even while on campus because the application did not support strong authentication. As most services now support modern authentication methods, services increasingly do not require the use of the VPN while either on-campus or off-campus. However, you should use it if you are traveling or on an un-trusted/unsecured network, for example, in an airport, a coffee shop, or a public library. If you do not need to use the VPN software to reach the services that you want to use, you will likely get more responsive network performance. You should only use VPN software if you need it. To see the breakdown of which services require the use of VPN, consult
When do I need to use the VPN client?
How to Get Started
Installers: See the links below for installing the VPN software:
How to Select a VPN Portal: Once you have the software installed, you have to choose the proper way to connect to the VPN. You can either choose to send all network traffic over the VPN, or to use split-tunneling, which only sends traffic to Dartmouth over the VPN connection. When you use split-tunneling, applications such as Zoom, Canvas, e-mail and most other services will go directly to the provider. This is especially useful for latency-sensitive applications, like video conferencing, that see more lag while using VPN. The full list of VPN portals is:
| VPN Portal |
Intended Use |
| vpn.dartmouth.edu |
general VPN use |
| vpn-split.dartmouth.edu |
VPN use with split-tunnelling (especially useful at DHMC or on a corporate network) |
| vpn-linux.dartmouth.edu |
general VPN for Linux users |
| vpn-linux-split.dartmouth.edu |
VPN for Linux users with split-tunneling |
| vpn-mobile.dartmouth.edu |
general VPN for tablets, phones, chromebooks, etc. |
Legal Issues
Please be aware when traveling outside of the United States that each country has its own laws governing the use of VPNs. Please consult the following guide before traveling so that you are aware of the legal issues. https://www.comparitech.com/vpn/where-are-vpns-legal-banned
Resources
Still having trouble using VPN?