Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search

IT Services Knowledge Base

You are here Wired and Wi-Fi Networks > Staff VPN > Service Guide

Staff VPN service guide

The VPN service is a service which works in tandem with your broadband connection. In essence it is an extra piece of software on your computer which provides a secure 'tunnel' connection into the Trinity data network.

If working remotely, what services do I need a VPN for?

If working remotely, you will only need a VPN to access the following services:

  • Windows security updates:
    • Windows computers not managed by InTune are required to be connected to the VPN for at least one hour each working day to receive Windows security updates remotely.  Check how your computer is managed.
  • Network files and file storage
  • Webauthors making live changes to the webpages using Dreamweaver or attempting to change their webauthor password
  • Trinity business applications:
    • FIS (if you prepare purchase orders or you are a "preparer" of expenses on iExpenses)
    • SITS (client-only, Academic Registry)
    • CMIS timetabling
    • HR users of SODMS

You won't need a VPN to access lots of other services that are hosted in the 'cloud'. An example would be your email, OneDrive, Teams, Blackboard, Panopto, etc.

VPN service requirements

This service is currently only available to registered College staff and can only be setup on College-owned computers (preferably which have the College software image installed), are networked and so fully compliant with our network security policies including being added to the College domain.

Supported operating systems

For information about which operating systems are supported, please see our 'Requirements' section on the main VPN page.

Supported operating systems list

Certain versions of Windows cannot use the VPN service as they cannot authenticate on the College domain. The same restrictions apply to mobile devices and smartphones.

For the VPN service to work, your computer must already be connected to a broadband service such as wired or wireless broadband in your home or while travelling abroad. Please be aware that your internet connection may slow down very slightly due to the fact that VPN takes up some bandwidth on your connection.

VPN connection request

To request initial connection to the VPN service, fill out the VPN connection request form. Your details will be sent to the IT Service Desk and a ticket will be automatically generated. The IT Service Desk will subsequently contact you to configure your computer for the VPN network and ensure that your computer meets the cyber security criteria to allow the VPN service to be installed on your computer.

VPN connection request form

Using the VPN service

The steps needed to connect to the VPN service are listed below. The VPN service has multifactor authentication enabled. This means you will be prompted to confirm your identity when connecting.

Connection steps

  1. Click on Cisco Secure Client in the Start menu on Windows or in the Applications folder on macOS.



  2. Under 'Ready to connect' type 'anyconnect.tcd.ie' as below. Click Connect.



  3. You will be prompted to enter your Trinity username and network login password. Do this and then click OK.



  4. At this point you will be asked to complete a Multifactor Authentication (MFA) prompt. See our section below for options on the types of MFA prompts.
  5. Once the MFA prompt has been passed successfully, the connection to the VPN will be completed.

Types of Multifactor Authentication prompts

During the VPN connection phase, you will be prompted to confirm your identity by the method you already use with Microsoft 365 (e.g. phone text code (This text message may be delivered to your built-in text messaging application on your device or your WhatsApp), notification to the Microsoft Authentication App, or a voice call).

The various prompts are outlined below.

Phone text verification code

You will then get a small pop up message which ask you to enter a code which has been texted to your phone via phone text code, via your built-in text messaging application on your device or your WhatsApp.

Using a voice call

You will receive an automated call from Microsoft, answer it and press # to end the call.

Push notification to the Microsoft Authenticator App

A notification will arrive via the authenticator app on the phone. Click on the notification and click on approve in the message.

Verification code from the Microsoft Authenticator App

After you get the dialogue requiring you to enter the Microsoft verification code, open the authenticator app and use the one-time password displayed as the verification code.

Testing and Troubleshooting the VPN connection

If you are experiencing problems getting connected please follow the steps below.

  1. Check The Connection To Your Internet service provider
    • Check your connection to the Internet in general e.g. if you can access web pages and send and receive email then your Internet connection is OK.
  2. You may need to reconnect to the VPN service if your computer has been dormant or in hibernation mode.
  3. Check Corporate Firewall settings
    • If you are behind a corporate firewall in an external institution and you cannot establish a connection then the local Network Administrators of that institution would need to advise on whether or not port 443 is enabled outbound to the IP address 134.226.254.101.

If you have followed the troubleshooting steps above but require further assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk.