L2TP for ChromeOS

Overview

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) is a tunneling protocol used to support virtual private networks (VPNs) or as part of the delivery of services by ISPs. It does not provide any encryption or confidentiality by itself, so we use IPSec for encryption. The purpose of VPN is to access campus resources that require you to be behind the firewall (i.e. on campus) when you are off campus. This document will guide you on how to configure a VPN connection using ChromeOS. The following information is needed to connect to Texas A&M University’s VPN:

• Username: NetID
• Password: NetID password
• Server Address: connect.tamu.edu
• Key: tamuvpn
     

Configuring a VPN Connection

1. Left-click the Wi-Fi status icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, where your account picture is located [fig. 01].
   
   
   [fig. 01 - WiFi status icon]
       
2. Choose Settings [fig. 02].
   
   
   [fig. 02 - Settings]
        
3. In the “Internet Connection” section, click Add Connection then Add private network [fig. 03].
   
   
   [fig. 03 - Internet Connection]
       

Using the VPN Connection

1. In the box that appears, verify the following information is correct. The OTP and Group Name boxes can be left empty. Then click Connect [fig. 04].

   • IP Address or Server Host Name: connect.tamu.edu

   • Service Name: TAMU VPN (or whatever you want to name it)

   • Provider Type: L2TP/IPsec + pre-shared key

   • Pre-shared Key: tamuvpn

   • CA Certificate: Default

   • User Certificate: None Installed

   • Username: NetID

   • Password: NetID password

   
   
   [fig. 04 - Adding New Network]
       
2. TAMU VPN will now appear as a recognized network under “Private Network” [fig. 05].
   
   
   [fig. 05 - Recognized Network]
        
3. To connect to TAMU VPN, click on the WiFi status icon and then Settings [fig. 06].
   
   
   [fig. 06 - Connect to VPN]
       
4. Click on Private Network [fig. 07].
   
   
   [fig. 07 - Private Network]
       
5. Choose TAMU VPN [fig. 08].
   
   
   [fig. 08 - TAMU VPN]
        
6. Click Connect [fig. 09].
   
   
   [fig. 09 - Connect]
        
7. To disconnect, follow steps 3 through 5 in this section. After opening the TAMU VPN network information, click Disconnect [fig. 10].
   
   
   [fig. 10 - Disconnect]