Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN download

The VPN client used at the HTW is "Cisco AnyConnect".

You can download Cisco AnyConnect for Windows, macOS and Linux (64bit only) in the internal area after successful authentication using the HTW login and password.

Installation instructions

The VPN client used at the HTW is "Cisco AnyConnect". Detailed setup instructions are available:

Furthermore, "Cisco AnyConnect" for mobile platforms is, until further notice, also not supported by the IT Service Centre:

Note

For Linux, the unofficial OpenSource VPN client OpenConnect should be noted, which allows VPN connections to HTW Dresden as an alternative to AnyConnect. NetworkManager-openconnect integrates OpenConnect directly into the NetworkManager commonly present on many distributions. On current desktop distributions, this usually allows the configuration of VPN profiles similar to AnyConnect in the graphical network settings, often without any further need for additional package installations.

Due to the unofficial nature of this solution, no long-term functionality can be guaranteed and OpenConnect is currently not supported by the university computer center with individual assistance.

Group profiles

The VPN client offers two group profiles to choose from in order to access the VPN. These differ as follows:

HTW-vpn-split

You should choose this profile as the default profile if you want to use HTW network services outside the HTW via an encrypted connection. The network traffic is split: Only traffic with the destination "network area of ​​the HTW Dresden" is sent via the encrypted VPN connection. All other network connections are made via your regular Internet connection. This will make better use of the bandwidth of your Internet connection. The use of local network resources (e.g., printers in your home network) is possible.

HTW-vpn-all

In this profile, all network traffic is routed to the Internet via the encrypted VPN connection to the HTW. If you need access to web pages for your work, you should only choose this profile, as it provides HTW members extended access rights (based on the different IP addresses of the users). This is, for example, for some external databases / directories (especially electronic resources from the library such as e-books and full text journals). The use of local network resources (e.g., printers in your home network) should also be possible, but can not be guaranteed due to the large number of network configurations.