Service eduVPN
for students and employees*
Use eduVPN to access the university network securely and with encryption while on the go.
eduVPN is an open-source-based VPN (Virtual Private Network) service developed specifically for universities, colleges, and research institutions. eduVPN is further developed and operated by the European education and research network GÉANT in collaboration with the global education community.
Using VPN technology, you can establish an encrypted connection (remote access) to the university’s internal network from anywhere in the world. This allows you to establish an encrypted, secure connection especially when on the go—for example, when using unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots—or from your home office. VPN also enables access to internal university IT services that are otherwise blocked from external access for security reasons.
Please note: There may be brief interruptions in service during the pilot phase. If your Internet connection is lost, try using the toggle switch in the eduVPN client to disconnect and then reconnect.
Target Group
- Employees
- Students
Use
- Secure, encrypted connection even when on the go
- Access to internal university services
- By default, the split-tunneling feature is enabled, so that only data traffic to university services requiring a secure connection is routed through the VPN tunnel, while other internet connections are made directly via the local internet connection.
- For accessing Heidelberg University’s licensed electronic media: The required non-split variant can be easily selected
- Convenient login, as you do not need to enter your login credentials and MFA token with every login, but only after seven days.
- Open-source solution for greater data sovereignty
- Strong encryption via the modern VPN protocols OpenVPN and WireGuard, which are considered highly secure.
Access and Requirements
*Please note: eduVPN is in the final phase of its pilot operation and is being offered for students and employees as an alternative to Cisco VPN / Cisco Secure Client. The URZ is currently operating two VPN services. Cisco VPN can also still be used. Important: Only one VPN connection (Cisco VPN or eduVPN) may be active at a time; simultaneous use of both services is not supported and will result in connection problems.
Users can download the eduVPN app for free. A university ID and corresponding password are required to log in. You must also have set up multi-factor authentication, as a time-based one-time password is additionally required for login. However, your login credentials are not requested every time you use the app; instead, they remain active on your device for seven days.
You can find all further information on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the linked service catalogue page.
Frequently asked questions
Table filters
Table
| Questions | Answers |
|---|
| Questions | Answers | |
|---|---|---|
I'm working from home and can't access my printer (or other local network services) via eduVPN. What can I do? | Check to see if you have selected the “WireGuard Split” profile in the eduVPN app. If you have selected the “Non-Split” profile, switch to the “Split” profile to use your device. | |
The Internet connection has been lost. What can I do? | There may be brief interruptions in service during the pilot phase. If your Internet connection is lost, try using the toggle switch in the eduVPN client to disconnect and then reconnect. |