VPN and Off-Campus Access

The Cisco Virtual Private Network (VPN) client is the supported way to connect to Swarthmore network resources such as shared network drives, software using KeyAccess, and Banner from off-campus. When the VPN is connected, all Internet traffic from that device will be sent through the campus network to reach the Internet.

You can stay actively connected to the Swarthmore VPN for a maximum of 10 hours, at which point you will be prompted to log back into the client. If the device you are using VPN on is inactive for 4 hours or more, your session will end and you will be prompted to log back into the client.

Note that Swarthmore VPN is not accessible from the Guest wireless network.

Use EZproxy (http://proxy.swarthmore.edu) to utilize Swarthmore library bibliographic databases. VPN is not required to access EZproxy.

1 How to install Swarthmore's VPN system
2 How to connect to VPN
- 2.1 macOS or Windows Computer
- 2.2 iOS Device (iPad/iPhone)
- 2.3 Android
3 Troubleshooting

How to install Swarthmore's VPN system

How to connect to VPN

A new VPN option has been added to Cisco AnyConnect that makes connecting to VPN much easier. If you have logged into swatpvn.swarthmore.edu or swatvpn2.swarthmore.edu connections recently it would have added the new connection: SwatVPN Login. On desktop you will find the new connection in the dropdown menu and on mobile you will find it by selecting Connections from the app home screen. This allows users to log in to VPN using the normal Swarthmore login screen and DUO prompt. All VPN connections provide the same security and access experience, but we encourage you to use the new connection to simplify your login process.

macOS or Windows Computer

iOS Device (iPad/iPhone)

Android

Troubleshooting

Can't print while connected to VPN

When connected to VPN while off-campus, access to local devices such as printers may not work. If you experience problems, try disconnecting from VPN to print.

Can't connect to SwatVPN while on the Guest wireless network (SwatGuest)

When connected to the Guest wireless network (SwatGuest), access to SwatVPN is not possible. If you have a Swarthmore account and wish to use WiFi, please connect via eduroam in order to use SwatVPN.

Authentication failed due to problem retrieving the single sign-on cookie

If you get this error, also pictured below, try reconnecting with your credentials a few more times. This situation seems to resolve itself on most computers.

Screenshot of the VPN error window