Regarding the usage of VPN connection service

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology to serve as a dedicated line to connect any two locations on the Internet.

For example, some of you may have experienced that when you accessed the University’s server through the Internet from any other off-campus location, your access was rejected or the message saying “学内向け“ (Internal Access Only) appeared, thereby preventing you from reading the pages you desired.
This is because the server has been set to prevent access from devices located outside the University for security reasons.

Such a problem can be solved by connecting to a VPN, by which an on-campus IP address is assigned to the PC in question and an environment equivalent to that of the University PCs is created for the server.
Access to a University server from any other off-campus location is made securely and safely because packet communication is encrypted, enough to make it difficult to decode the information even if it is intercepted.

Overview of VPN Connection

VPN connection procedure

There are several types of VPN protocols, such as SSL and IPsec. We offer IPsec VPN service.

Supported OS

As of 2026, our VPN service can be used from these OSes:

• Windows: 11
• MacOS: 10.14, 10.15, 26

※Please check the client software distribution web site for the latest information.

Connection procedure

Download the VPN connection software from https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads#vpn and set the connection destination. For details of the setting procedure, please refer to the usage procedure below.

Procedure for using SSL VPN service

The "pre-shared key（事前共通鍵）" mentioned in the procedure manual is the following string:

qCY6lIYLeNhz=hU6hJJe5u46

Importance:

• The communication status is recorded by the IMC. In the event of any abnormal situation, access may be temporarily suspended.
• Once a VPN session starts, all communication with the VPN client will be established via the University LAN.
  Communication with any off-campus site will take the long way due to increased pathways.
• A VPN connection (including a test) cannot be established using a PC connected to the University network.

Q & A

If you can not connect the VPN service properly, check the setting of your PC with reference to the following FAQ. If you can not connect well by referring to the FAQ, please contact to supports_at_imc.tut.ac.jp with following information:

• Error screen
• Your OS version
• Security software you are using
• Internet connection type（Home, mobile phone, etc.）
• Source global IP address
• Time and date when you failed to connect to the VPN service

Is there any difference between what is used in a lab and “what is used via a lecture building and VPN”?

When you log in via a lecture building and VPN, you can receive the same services available at lecture buildings and the Library on campus. However, you will not be provided with services restricted by departments, faculties and laboratories.

It seems to me that it will be very risky to allow access to the inside from the outside.

When the VPN connection service is used, the communication from a PC located outside the University is carried out via the University route, thereby shutting out external communication.
The security level is the same as that on campus. Since communication content gets encrypted, the degree of risk is the same as on campus.
Users are required to pay as careful attention as when accessing the Internet on campus.
Danger! Do not let anyone know your password. You need to be careful in managing your password.

Is there any worry about the falsification or destruction of the data managed by the Administration Bureau?

The services whose access is restricted by the router or firewall of the Administration Bureau cannot be received in any other areas, even if accessed from within the University.
In the case of VPN connections, likewise, restricted users cannot access the internals of the Administration Bureau.

I cannot log in to KYOMU JOHO SYSTEM (course registration system)

You cannot access to KYOMU JOHO SYSTEM (course registration system) using the VPN service. Please use it by a one-time password.