Installing and Connecting to TAMUQ VPN

Description

Virtual Private Network (VPN) service offers TAMUQ employees, students and eligible Affiliates access to the university's network when working off-campus. VPN provides increased security and the same level of access as a direct local connection to the campus network.

This article shows how to install the Cisco AnyConnect and connect to the TAMUQ Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPN connection requires Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to complete the connection. You will need your install the Duo app on your mobile device or use a TAMUQ-issued hardware token (available to eligible employees only) to generate a passcode.

Please ensure that your device has the latest OS version release and not in the TAMU Prohibited Technology and Applications. Prohibited hardware cannot be used with TAMUQ VPN and prohibited software cannot be accessed over the TAMUQ network.

Procedures

This article applies to install and establish VPN connection using different device and operating system.

TAMUQ VPN groups
QATAR: only network traffic destined for TAMUQ systems will go through the VPN tunnel. Other traffic (e.g. web browsing, email, etc.) will still travel via your local network as it normally does. This option is only valid for TAMUQ users.
ALL your network traffic will be tunneled through the TAMUQ network, and may potentially slow down activities like web browsing. You will also have access to campus resources other than the HPC systems (e.g Marhaba, network drives, etc.). This option is only valid for TAMUQ users.
HPC means only network traffic destined for TAMUQ HPC systems only. This option is only valid for non-TAMUQ external collaborators.

Android

1. Go to Google Play Store, search and install AnyConnect.

2. Click OK to accept the License Agreement, and Click OK to share your IMEI with the IT administration.

3. Click on Connections and click Add New VPN Connection.

4. Click on

a. Description and type in TAMUQ

b. Server Address and type in connect.qatar.tamu.edu

5. Click on OK, then Done.

6. The Advanced Preferences page will show up with TAMUQ marked.

7. Now, click on the Advanced Preference to go back to the first page.

8. To connect, click on AnyConnect VPN.

9. Enter your TAMUQ credentials and click on Connect.

10.Check your mobile device and open the Duo Mobile app and Approve the push notification.

11. Click OK.

12. You will see Connected.

iPhone or iPad

1. From the iTunes App Store, download and install Cisco AnyConnect.

2. The first time you click on the AnyConnect icon to run it, you will see a message asking if you wish to extend the VPN capabilities of your device. Click OK.

3. Click Connections.

4. Click Add VPN Connection.

5. On the Add VPN Connection screen, enter a description for this VPN connection, such as TAMUQ. For the Server Address, enter connect.qatar.tamu.edu. Then, click Advanced.

6. On the Add VPN Connection Advanced screen, click Certificate.

7. If you receive a pop-up warning stating: AnyConnect Unable to list the certificate in the system. Click OK.

8. On the Select Certificate screen, click to check Disabled, then click Advanced on the upper left corner to return to the Add VPN Connection Advanced screen.

9. On the Add VPN Connection Advanced screen, verify that the Network Roaming button is enabled (slid right, green), Certificate is Disabled, and Connect with IPsec button is disabled (slid left, grey). Then click Back or Add VPN Connection on the upper left corner to return to the main Add VPN Connection screen.

10. On the Add VPN Connection main screen, verify that the Server Address is connect.qatar.tamu.edu, then click Save in the upper right corner.

11. If you receive a pop-up warning message requesting to Add VPN Configurations on your device, tap Allow.

12. You should now see the following screen. To connect, verify that the TAMUQ connection is checked under VPN Connections. Then toggle the slider next to AnyConnect VPN to the left to start the connection.

When you turn AnyConnect VPN on by toggling the slider in the upper left of the application, you will be asked to enter your TAMUQ credentials on the Authentication information screen. Select your preferred group.

All other information will not be sent through VPN. Enter your TAMUQ username and your password. Then click Connect.

You should now be connected to the TAMUQ VPN.

Note: Please be aware that AnyConnect does not store your password. Each time you connect to the AnyConnect VPN system, you will need to re-enter your password. While connected, the "VPN logo" will be displayed in the upper left of your iPad screen. To disconnect from VPN, simply slide the AnyConnect VPN slider to OFF.

Mac OS

Compatibility: Apple OS versions and release date: https://support.apple.com/en-us/100100

1. Login to https://connect.qatar.tamu.edu with your TAMUQ account, then click Download for macOS.

2. Click the downloaded file to start the installation.

3. To install the software, click Continue, and then you will be prompted to read and agree with the License Agreement. Click Agree, then proceed to click Continue.

4. Once the installation is complete, open Cisco AnyConnect software, then type in connect.qatar.tamu.edu, then click Connect

5. You will be prompted to enter your MAC password, then click Always Allow.

6. Select a GROUP from the drop-down, enter your TAMUQ credentials, and click OK.

7. Check your mobile device and open the Duo Mobile app to Accept the push notification.

8. You are now connected to TAMUQ VPN.

Windows OS

Compatibility: Windows 10 versions and release date: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information
Windows 11 versions and release date: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information

1. Open a browser and go to https://connect.qatar.tamu.edu

2. Select a GROUP from the drop-down. Enter your TAMUQ username and password. Then, click Login.

3. You will be directed to the page below. Click Download for Windows.

4. Once the download is complete, click the program for installation.

5. To start Set Up, click Next.

6. Tick I accept the terms in the License Agreement, then click Next.

7. Click Install. A security window will prompt, select Allow.

8. Once the installation is complete, click Finish to exit Setup. AnyConnect VPN is now installed on your computer.

9. To connect, type Cisco AnyConnect in your Window search box and tap Enter.

10. Type in connect.qatar.tamu.edu - then select Connect. Select a GROUP from the drop-down.

11. Enter your TAMUQ credentials then click OK.

12. Check your mobile device and open your Duo Mobile app to Accept the push notification.

Accessing geo-restricted websites in Qatar

By using the QATAR VPN group, geo-restricted (also called geo-blocks) are methods content providers use to restrict access to their services or websites on a geographical basis. Essentially, it allows them to make their websites available in specific countries for various reasons such as relevancy, content protection, and web traffic. However, such a method can also prevent TAMUQ users from conducting legitimate business activities from campus. For example, accessing Qatar MOI resources or Qatar government sites and portals.

How to use Duo MFA Append Mode

Enter your password and the authentication method you want to use, separated with a comma. It will look something like this: password,authentication_method

In place of authentication_method:

Type	To
password,passcode	Log in using a passcode, either generated with Duo Mobile, sent via SMS, generated by your hardware token, or provided by an administrator. Examples: `mypass123,123456` or `mypass123,1456789`
password,push	Push a login request to your phone (if you have Duo Mobile installed and activated on your iOS or Android device). Just review the request and tap "Approve" to log in.
password,sms	Get a new batch of SMS passcodes. Your login attempt will fail — log in again with one of your new passcodes.

Connecting to TAMUQ VPN using Append Method

1. Type Cisco AnyConnect in your Window search box and tap Enter

2. Type in connect.qatar.tamu.edu and click Connect. enter you

3. Enter your TAMUQ username and password (using below Append-push format).

AnyConnect VPN is a Duo-enabled application that does not support inline prompt. Some devices have the push notification working as expected, while other devices appear to require a re-activation or using the Append-Push method to authenticate using AnyConnect VPN. Please use the append method below:

Password, Authentication method
For authentication method, use any of the methods below:
For authentication method, use any of the methods below:
Type your password as:	To…
password,Passcode	Log in using a passcode, either generated with Duo Mobile, sent via SMS, generated by your hardware token, or by an administrator. Example "mypass123,123456" or "mypass123,1456789"
password,Push	Push a login request to your phone (if you have Duo Mobile installed and activated on your iOS, Android, or Windows Phone device). Open the Duo app, review the request and tap "Approve" to login.
password,SMS	Get a new batch of SMS passcodes. Your login attempt will fail – log in again with one of your new passcodes.

5. Once connected, you will see the prompt Connected as shown below.

TAMU Prohibited Technologies Policy

A new Texas state law prohibits certain software applications and hardware products from being used on university devices and networks. Senate Bill 1893 codifies Governor Abbot’s December 2022 directive prohibiting state employees from using TikTok and implements additional cybersecurity reforms. Governor Abbot signed it into law on June 14th, 2023 with immediate effect.

Guidance on prohibited technologies may be found at the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) website.

Prohibited hardware cannot be used with TAMUQ VPN and prohibited software cannot be accessed over the TAMUQ network.

The following applications are currently included in the ban:

Prohibited Software/Applications/Developers

Alipay
ByteDance Ltd.
CamScanner
Kaspersky
QQ Wallet
SHAREit
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
TikTok
VMate
WeChat
WeChat Pay
WPS Office
Any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity listed above.

Prohibited Hardware/Equipment/Manufacturers

Dahua Technology Company
Huawei Technologies Company
Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company
Hytera Communications Corporation
SZ DJI Technology Company
ZTE Corporation
Any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity listed above.

If you have any further questions, email servicedesk@qatar.tamu.edu or call us at (974) 4423-0009.

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Installing and Connecting to TAMUQ VPN

Description

Please ensure that your device has the latest OS version release and not in the TAMU Prohibited Technology and Applications. Prohibited hardware cannot be used with TAMUQ VPN and prohibited software cannot be accessed over the TAMUQ network.

Procedures

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