Connecting to the OpenVPN from Mac

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Once you are connected to the VPN, your internet traffic will be directed through PSU’s VPN hardware, and it will appear that you are connected physically to PSU’s network. This will allow you to use private MCECS services that require a connection to the PSU network, like Remote Desktop and VNC.

CECS vs. CECS Full Tunnel

CECS – a split tunnel configuration. Only data directed at PSU is sent through the VPN. The rest of your connections to other sites on the internet go through your ISP.

CECS Full Tunnel – a full tunnel configuration. ALL data from your computer is sent to PSU through the VPN. Should only be used for special needs.

Most MCECS users should find the CECS configuration sufficient for their needs. It is possible to set up both profiles and decide which one to use when connecting to the VPN.

When would full tunnel access be required

Full tunnel access is needed for users attempting to access the banner administrative interface, banner report downloads, campus drupal website maintainers, among other things.

Configuration steps

1) Install OpenVPN client

Go to:

https://OpenVPN.net/client/ 

and download the client installer for MacOS.

Screenshot of the OpenVPN client installation page. The link is circled in green.

2) Run the installer

Depending on your browser, you could run it from the download dialog or go to your downloads location and run the installer from there.

Screenshot showing a download dropdown.

3) Choose the correct installer

There will be a prompt asking which processor your Mac system has.

Screenshot showing two OS options: Mac with Intel processor and Mac with Apple Silicon chip.

 

To find out what processor your system has, look at your system info in ‘About this Mac’.

Screenshot of an OpenVPN installation screen. There's a dropdown menu in the top left corner with the "About This Mac" option highlighted.

 

Click on the corresponding installer for the specific processor you have. In this example, it’s the Intel option.

Screenshot showing Mac information. The processor type is highlighted.

4) Follow the installer steps

Screenshot of an OpenVPN installation screen. The message indicates a successful installation.

5) Download MCECS OpenVPN configuration files

Click below to download the OpenVPN configuration files(s) of your choice.

MCECS default split-tunnel profile:
https://intranet.cecs.pdx.edu/downloads/files/openVPN/current/cecs_openVPN_connect/cecs.oVPN

MCECS full-tunnel profile:
https://intranet.cecs.pdx.edu/downloads/files/openVPN/current/cecs_openVPN_connect/cecs_full_tunnel.oVPN

6) Import the OpenVPN configuration file into your client

Open the client if it isn’t already running and import a configuration using the client’s import feature.

Choose the import profile item in the OpenVPN client menu.

Screenshot of the OpenVPN Import profile screen.

 

Use the upload file option to import the configuration file. The URL method will not work in MCECS.

7) Use your MCECS account to authenticate to OpenVPN

Screenshot of the OpenVPN profile authentication screen.

 

Your Odin account will not work when trying to authenticate to OpenVPN

8) You will now be connected to OpenVPN using the configuration profile that you specified

 

Miscellaneous

Manually restarting OpenVPN

After a reboot, you may need to reconnect to OpenVPN to access MCECS resources. Activate the VPN profile as needed.

To check whether you are connected to the VPN

Go to:

https://status.cecs.pdx.edu

The top bar of this site will tell you whether you are on the VPN or not.