Objective
This will guide you through connecting to the virtual private network (VPN) at MSU for the first time. Future connections will not require re-installation of the components.
Environment
Windows
The instructions for this guide were created on Google Chrome, so there may be some variation in your experience.
Before You Begin
There are a few things you'll need before you can connect to the VPN successfully. Please see this article (link) for details.
Steps
- Open a web browser and navigate to vpn.msu.edu (link)
- Log in using your MSU email address and NetID password
- You will be prompted to authenticate using your multi-factor authentication (MFA) credential
- After successfully using your MFA credential, you will be prompted to install the F5 Endpoint Inspector
- Select Download for the "Endpoint inspection client components required" prompt
- Open the "f5epi_setup.exe" download from within your browser, or wherever your computer stores downloaded files
- If Windows shows a "Permission Required" prompt select Continue
- If the "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" User Account Control prompt shows select Yes to continue
- After Windows installs the application return to your browser and select "2. Click here when the installation completes" to continue
- select Open F5 Networks Endpoint Inspector for the "Open F5 Networks Endpoint Inspector?" prompt
- After "Checking for security software..." your browser will show the "Welcome to F5 Networks" home page
- Under Launch Browser Client, select the level of VPN you wish to connect to (if you have more than one).
- You will be prompted to open the F5 Networks VPN. Select Open F5 Networks VPN. An install process will run.
The installation prompt may pop up behind your browser window, check the task bar for a new tab if you are not automatically taken to it. The progress bar will keep looping until you accept the install by selecting Yes
- You will be prompted twice to allow changes to your device, select Yes for both:
- F5 Networks Component Installer
- F5 Networks Network Access Helper
- You're connected! A red icon will appear in your systray (by the computer clock) to signify you are connected.
Additional Info
You can right-click the red icon in the systray and select Terminate Connections when you no longer need the VPN.
An installable client is available to download if you prefer that over using the browser to connect each time. See KB 31 (link) for those instructions.