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Remote access using VPN
Sterrewacht
There is a new OpenVPN server that allows you to connect your personal computer/device to the internet as if it were part of the institute computer network. The server is a standalone server with the sole purpose of providing VPN connections, and to which you can connect using an OpenVPN client.
For OpenVPN you will need a special .ovpn file to get access to our VPN service. Please request one via helpdesk@strw.leidenuniv.nl
There are OpenVPN clients for the major operating systems:
- but also for Android and IPhone
Sterrewacht
DNS problem work-around
Recently, some people working from home have been reporting problems when trying to connect to Sterrewacht (or even all Leiden Universtity) computers, especially people renting apartments with DUWO. There is likely a problem with the DNS (domain name server) of the local internet provider. To bypass this problem, Sterrewacht users can activate the STRW VPN. For this to work, users with an existing VPN client (.ovpn) file need to make a small change. From the OpenVPN program or app, select to edit the configuration file. In the editor that appears, replace the text vpn.strw.leidenuniv.nl with 132.229.216.4, then save the changes. From that point onwards, when connecting to the STRW VPN, the internet connection uses the STRW DNS instead of the local provider's DNS. Note that all internet traffic from that point onwards goes via the Sterrewacht networks, unless you set up split VPN as described below.
Split VPN connections
The provided VPN client file redirects all internet traffic over the Observatory VPN. There are however situations in which it is unnecessary or even discouraged to tunnel a connection via our VPN. Imagine, for instance, how inefficient it is to tunnel a videoconference through a VPN tunnel.
In these cases, you can tweak your .ovpn config file to bypass VPN at your will. Here is an example.
Example: Only Leiden University IPs via VPN
Add the following lines somewhere in your .ovpn client file provided by us
# Only UL IPs via VPN # With the exception of the Sterrewacht VPN IP address pull-filter ignore "redirect-gateway" route 132.229.0.0 255.255.0.0 vpn_gateway route 132.229.216.4 255.255.255.255 net_gateway
It is possible to add more such route commands, e.g. to direct traffic through the VPN when it goes to sites that are only accessible from university addresses, eg the sites of some journals.
Lorentz Institute
The Lorentz Institute offers its staff members an OpenVPN service for remote connections to the IL intranet. Apart from preserving users privacy, the IL OpenVPN lets you access services that would otherwise be unavailable when working remotely. A use-case would be to access scientific journals contents using the Institute subscription.
Request your IL OpenVPN access via support@lorentz.leidenuniv.nl and you will receive your personal 1) .ovpn file.
Launch your .ovpn with your favorite OpenVPN client 2) to initiate a connection. There are OpenVPN clients the following major platforms:
Split VPN connections
The provided VPN client file redirects all internet traffic over the Lorentz Institute VPN. There are however situations in which it is unnecessary or even discouraged to tunnel a connection via our VPN. Imagine, for instance, how inefficient it is to tunnel a videoconference through a VPN tunnel.
In these cases, you can tweak your .ovpn config file to bypass VPN at your will. Here follow some examples.
Example 1: Only Leiden University IPs via VPN
Add the following lines somewhere in your .ovpn client file provided by us
# Only UL IPs via VPN # With the exception of the very IL VPN IP address pull-filter ignore "redirect-gateway" route 132.229.0.0 255.255.0.0 vpn_gateway route 132.229.227.248 255.255.255.255 net_gateway
Example 2: VPN-bypass IPs in range
Add the lines in the following code snippet somewhere in your .ovpn file if you want to
- Tunnel through the VPN only those connections to the IL/STRW servers that have IP in the range
132.229.214.0/24 - Let all other connections unaffected by the VPN (that is also those to the most common videoconf systems)
pull-filter ignore "redirect-gateway"
route 132.229.214.0 255.255.255.0 vpn_gateway
Example 3: VPN-bypass multiple IPs
Add the lines in the following code snippet somewhere in your .ovpn file if you want to
- Tunnel through the VPN the connections to the IL/STRW servers that have IP in the range
132.229.214.0/24 - Tunnel through the VPN the connections to the IL web server
132.229.227.253 - Let all other connections unaffected by the VPN (that is also those to the most common videoconf systems)
pull-filter ignore "redirect-gateway"
route 132.229.214.0 255.255.255.0 vpn_gateway
route 132.229.227.253 255.255.255.255 vpn_gateway
Example 4: Exclude IP from VPN tunnel
Add the lines in the following code snippet somewhere in your .ovpn file if you want to
- Tunnel through the VPN all connections but those to the IL web server
132.229.227.253
route 132.229.227.253 255.255.255.255 net_gateway
LION Physics
For the PHYSICS domain there is a separate Windows Based VPN server, that provides the same functionality as the OpenVPN example above, but is better geared to the Windows environment.
Before you can setup a VPN connection you need to contact helpdesk@physics.leidenuniv.nl to obtain a Secret Key and have your PHYSICS account enabled for VPN use.
You can connect from:
- Windows or
Once you have a VPN connection you can use:
- Remote Desktop to connect to your LION Desktop computer
