For some reason, I now need to connect to a VPN when using the internet for all sites but my university site. The VNP network I have is for the university. I don't know how this change occurred. Is there somewhere in the airport utilities that can change that?
macbook pro and imac, Mac OS X (10.4.10)
In order to establish a VPN connection, your computer must first establish an Internet connection. The VPN tunnel is then created after the VPN client is properly authenticated by a VPN server.
There are two basic types of tunnels: 1) Full tunnel, or 2) Split tunnel.
In a full tunnel all traffic goes through the tunnel. Typically, the VPN client can then access resources on the destination's network, which can include a campus webserver. In addition, if the destination also allows access to the Internet, the VPN client can gain access to the Internet this way as well.
A split tunnel allows the VPN client to send traffic through the tunnel, but also allow local traffic to be sent to the local network. If that local network has Internet access, then the VPN client can get to the Internet this way.
If you are unable to access the Internet outside of establishing a VPN tunnel, then there is something amiss your network configuration on the local network.
Thank you so much for your reply. Where would I look to troubleshoot my network configuration. When I tried diagnostics in network preferences, all lights on the left were green as long as I was connected to the university VPN. When I disconnected from the VPN, the internet and server lights were red. It is very odd. When the VPN connection is closed, I can open the universities webpages but no others. I am very confused. Any other suggestions?
How are you getting your current network access (outside of the VPN) now? Wired or wireless connection that is being provided by your university?
If so, can your MBP gain network/Internet access from another source ... coffee house, library, etc?
I have a cable modem. When I take my laptop to work, I don't need the VPN connection to get to the internet through out wireless network. I only have this problem at home. It must be something in my network set-up at home. My wireless airport extreme base station is connected to the cable modem. The most frustrating thing is that I cannot connect to my network with my iPhone or iPad since I don't have VPN set up on them.
Hmm, if you are not using VPN at work and are getting Internet connectivity you might be using your work's Proxy server(s) to be allowed that access to the Internet. If you MBP (MacBook Pro) is configured to use a Proxy, then that would explain why you're not able to access the Internet when at home.
If you are they would be configured on the Proxies tab within System Preferences: System Preferences > Network > AirPort > Advanced > Proxies. Are any of the boxes under the "Select a protocol to configure" window enabled?
My proxies window is different. I have a configure proxies box with a pull down menu that has manually or using a PAC file as the only choices. Then there is a PAC file URL box that lets you choose a file. Do you think that it is something to do with the VPN application itself?
The key is with a proxy setting enabled, when you use your computer at a location other than the office, it will look for this server to gain access to the Internet. Since it shouldn't find it outside of work it won't be able to get to the Internet.
Your Mac can store multiple Network configurations or locations. I suggest that you create one for work and another for all other locations. You can create these from System Preferences > Network > Location > Edit Locations
Forgot to ask, What is "MBP"?
MacBook Pro, I imagine.
Makes sense, thanks!
Yep, MBP = MacBook Pro
I cannot connect to the internet without a VPN, why?
