VPN

A VPN makes it possible to get secure access to the internet or to the campus network from anywhere. The computer at home (or anywhere on the internet) in the latter case becomes part of the campus network. In this way you can get access to services that are normally only accessible from computers on campus. The most common of such services are connecting to disk shares or to special servers.

EduVPN

The VPN of choice for Radboud employees and students is eduVPN. The eduVPN client software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux. You need a RU-account to use eduVPN.

All Science services that can be used with a Science VPN can also be used with eduVPN.

Alternatives

C&CZ manages a few VPN servers that can be used with a Science account: an IPsec VPN service vpnsec.science.ru.nl that can be used without client software on e.g. MS Windows and an OpenVPN service that can be used for devices that are not compatible with the other VPNs.

Science VPNsec service

Our IPsec VPN server address is vpnsec.science.ru.nl and uses your Science account for authentication.

Windows 10 instructions

Tip

Add a new VPN with server vpnsec.science.ru.nl, that’s all.

Configuration

From Windows Settings, go to “Networks and Internet” > “VPN” > “+ Add a VPN connection” Fill in and save the settings as displayed here:

Windows 10 vpnsec configuration screenshot

These are the same settings:

field setting note
VPN provider Windows (built-in) default choice
Connection name Science VPN choose something
Server name or address vpnsec.science.ru.nl provide as stated
VPN type Automatic default choice
Type of sign-in info User name and password default choice
User name Science account optional
Password your password optional

Save the settings.

Start VPN

To start the VPN connection, click the network or wifi icon next to the clock, click the “Science VPN” label and click “Connect” as shown in this picture:

screenshot vpn start windows 10

Finally, you’ll be asked for your Science login and password:

screenshot vpn logging in windows 10

You should have a VPN connection now. See testing VPN. If it does not work? Contact us!

Stop VPN

Stop the VPN connection with the disconnect button:

screenshot vpn stop windows 10

macOS 13 instructions

Use the following steps to configure a VPNsec connection on your macOS 13 system:

  1. Download the file vpnsec-ios.mobileconfig (Save Link As…).

  2. Double-click the vpnsec-ios-file in Finder and import the settings.

  3. Open “System Settings”

  4. Open “Network”, after which you get the dialog shown in the picture below:

    screenshot macOS Network settings

  5. Click on the button with the three dots ..., and go to “Add VPN Configuration” -> “IKEv2…”:

    screenshot Add IKEv2 VPN macOS

  6. Fill in the following fields:

    Field Value
    Server address vpnsec.science.ru.nl
    Remote ID vpnsec.science.ru.nl
    Authentication Type Username
    Username your-science-loginname
    Password your password

You should now be able to start the VPN connection. See testing VPN. If it does not work? Contact us!

Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04 and 24.04 instructions

Start with installing the necessary packages:

$ sudo apt install strongswan-nm network-manager-strongswan \
libstrongswan-standard-plugins  strongswan-libcharon \
libstrongswan-extra-plugins strongswan-charon libcharon-extra-plugins

Warning

Reboot your system after installing these packages!

Via “Settings” -> “Network”, you can then add a VPN connection by clicking on the +:

screenshot ubuntu add vpn dialog

Fill in the fields as shown here:

screenshot vpn settings ubuntu

Basically, fill in the following fields:

field value
Name Science VPN
Server Address vpnsec.science.ru.nl
Username your-science-login
Options [v] Request an inner IP address
[v] Enforce UDP encapsulation

Apply and then you can switch on the VPN through the NetworkManager applet in the toolbar:

screenshot enable vpn on ubuntu

You should now be connected to VPN. See testing VPN. If it does not work? Contact us!

Testing VPN

Tip

You can test your VPN connection by visiting this website:

https://ip.science.ru.nl

This page displays your ip address and indicates your VPN connection.

Other systems

iPhone & iPad instructions

For iOS, you should be able to follow the macOS instructions.

Android instructions

Install the strongSwan app. Use “IKEv2 EAP (username/password).

NB: some special characters in the password should be escaped using a \

KDE/Plasma instructions

Pretty much the same as the general Ubuntu instructions, “Server” may be called “Gateway”, you don’t need to specify a key or certificate.

To make an actual VPN connection, go to the system tray and select “VPN” from the network icon and click connect.

OpenVPN

We also offer an OpenVPN service. OpenVPN can be used for devices that are not compatible with our standard Science VPN service.

Library

For the use of the University library one does not need VPN, because the library has a proxy website UB Off-Campus, that can be used from anywhere on the Internet after logging in with your RU account.