This installation is for West Campus only. To use them, your primary affiliation must be with the Columbia University Medical Center. If your primary affiliation is with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, please call extension 4-Help for assistance.
Windows 64-bit Compatibility Issues
Windows 64-bit systems are not compatible with VPN, please use the SSL web site and AnyConnect instead. Please see Microsoft's FAQs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows if you are not familiar with the differences between 32 and 64-bit system.
Installing the Cisco VPN Client on Windows XP
Click here to download the client software. When prompted, select "Save" to save it on to your hard drive.
When the download completes, select "Run". If you do not see this window, go to the folder where you saved the download and double-click on the "WEST CAMPUS" icon, selecting "Run" to start the install.
If you see a Security Warning window listing "Name: WEST-CAMPUS-CLIENT.exe", select Run.
At the Welcome window, select "Next" to continue.
Select "Finish" to accept the default destination folder and continue. The VPN setup will begin.
At the Cisco Systems VPN Client Setup window, select "Next".
At the next window, select "Yes" to accept the software license agreement.
At the following two windows, select "Next" to install the VPN Client in the default locations.
This window will appear while the software updates your computer's settings. It may take a few minutes to complete.
At the end of the installation you must restart your computer. Please select "Yes, I want to restart my computer now", then "Close". Your computer will reboot (if not automatically, please select Start - Turn Off - Restart), and the installation will be complete.
Using the Cisco VPN Client on Windows
If not already open, start the Cisco VPN program from Start - All Programs - Cisco Systems VPN Client - VPN Client.
Make sure the West Campus Remote Access connection is highlighted under the list of Connection Entries. You can click on it once if it is not highlighted already.
To add the connection entry, select the New icon at the top of the window. If you just need to check the settings of the existing entry, click on it once to highlight and select the Modify icon.
The Properties window will open. Click here to view the correct Connection Entry Settings for West Campus Remote Access including the Group Authentication Password (UNI login required). If you need to add or modify any entry just type in the appropriate fields as instructed, then click the Save button in the lower right to save the entry. IMPORTANT: the only supported connection for CUMC VPN has the Group Authentication Name nyp.org; older entries or other settings are no longer compatible.
If there are old or incorrect entries that you would like to remove, click once to highlight it select the Delete icon at the top of the window. The entry will be permanently removed from the Cisco Systems VPN Client 5.0.
IMPORTANT: Only the West Campus Remote Access connection - with nyp.org as its Name - currently work for VPN.
With the correct West Campus Remote Access connection highlighted, select the Connect icon in the upper left to connect to VPN.
A User Authentication window will appear. Type in your Columbia UNI and Password (if you have an NYPH ID account, this will work as well) and select OK.
At the next pop up window, select Continue; you are now securely connected with VPN.
A small gold padlock icon will appear in the System Tray, in the lower right corner of your computer screen near the clock.
You may need to click on the white arrow to display hidden icons in the System Tray.
Please be sure to log out of VPN and close the Cisco program when done - see below for instructions.
For information on connecting to other campus resources that require VPN please see the About VPN page.
Disconnecting from VPN and Closing the Cisco VPN Client
Double-click on the VPN icon (closed gold padlock) in the System Tray, in the lower right corner of your computer (see image immediately above). The Cisco Systems VPN Client 5.0 window will open.
Double-click on the Disconnect icon in the upper left corner of the VPN window.
After a moment, the status of the client will read Not Connected. You can then click on the red x in the upper right corner of the VPN Client window to close the program.
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