COE-Net Pulse Secure VPN guide for macOSThe College of Engineering is pleased to announce the implementation of the Pulse Secure VPN. This service provides a FIPS and NIST 800-171 compliant solution for access to the COE network (shared files & folders), projects and computer systems from remote locations, as well as enhanced functionality for all of our users.

Installing the Pulse Secure VPN client

Download the macOS installer package for the Pulse Secure VPN client from the Engineering Wiki site:

https://wiki.engineering.osu.edu/display/DOCS/College+of+Engineering+Pulse+Secure+VPN

You may be prompted to log in with your OSU credentials to enter the BuckeyeBox site. Once your see the Download button, click on it to get the Pulse Secure VPN installer, and select “Open” to allow your macOS to mount the disk image (DMG) file.

CTRL + click on the '.pkg' file and in the pop-up menu to run the installer package.select "Open"Click on "Open" when prompted if you trust this package to continue with the installation.(If you still have trouble opening the PKG file, please take a look at this Pulse Secure KB article for more potential solutions)

Proceed with the software installation wizard, click on “Continue”.

    

Click on “Install” to start installing.

Click on “Close” when the installation is complete.

At the end of the installation, you will then be prompted to toss the installer into the Trash, proceed to do so:

 

To configure and connect VPN using the Pulse Secure app

Double-click on the Pulse Secure icon in your menu bar to open the app, or click once on it and select “Open Pulse Secure” on the drop down menu.

Security Warning Prompt

If you get a security warning prompt to allow the Pulse Secure VPN system extension, select "Go to System Preferences". In the "Security" preference pane "General" tab, click on the "Allow" button that appeared in the window to let the Pulse Secure VPN client install its extension.

In the empty list of connections, click on the “+” button to create a new connection.

Provide your preferred name for the connection, and enter the College VPN server URL: vpn.coeit.osu.edu

Click on the “Connect” button to save changes. A text box dialog will pop up, please read through carefully and click on “Proceed” when you accept the Sign-In agreement.

Select “CoE-Net” in the list of realms, and check the box to “Save settings” then click on “Connect”.

Enter your OSU login credentials (OSU ID name.number and password) and click “Connect”.

A second authentication prompt will come up. This ‘Secondary Password’ is for you to indicate what method you have selected for the DUO Security 2-factor authentication. Depending on which method you have chosen, you should type in of these options (all lowercase letters):ONE

push = to use the DUO app to get a push notification for approving 2FA;sms = to get a new set of SMS passcodes. Your login attempt will fail — simply log in again with one of your new passcodes. This is also handy if you are traveling and aren't sure about reliable Internet or Cellular connectivity.Or you can enter the from the DUO mobile application (click on the little arrow to the right of “Ohio State University” list entry six-digit passcodein your DUO app to reveal the passcode),

Check the box to “Save settings”, and click on the “Connect” button.

Approve the DUO Security 2-factor authentication to allow the VPN connection to proceed.

Beginning on October 14, 2021, customers will see an additional prompt, which will appear as either of these shown below, depending on the management of device being used to make the connection (i.e. Personally-owned Macs or ETS/University-owned Macs):

 

Normally, customers should just choose the "- " connection when prompted, and click on the “Connect” button. The “- ” option can provide Default SSLhigher compatibility at a slight performance penalty on external home or business networks (outside of OSU), whose configuration may be unique.

NOTE: If the "Connecting..." dialog does not automatically disappear, you can click anywhere else on-screen to dismiss it.

You will now notice the Pulse Secure icon has a green arrow beside it, which indicates the connection has been established successfully!

From this point on, you should be able to simply click on the Pulse Secure app icon in the menu bar, and select the newly created VPN connection profile, and select “Connect” to start the VPN connection process.

If the VPN connection is denied or encounters problems for any reason, the Pulse Secure app should provide a verbose explanation for any missing requirements or issues during the login process. Please take note or capture a screenshot (press the “Command + Shift + 4” keys together, and select the area around the error message on screen you wish to capture), and send it to .ETShelp@osu.edu

 

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There may be times when you establish the Pulse Secure VPN connection and be prompted to upgrade the client app, just click on “Upgrade” to proceed – it will disconnect your VPN session immediately after the installation is completed, so you MAY need to re-connect after the upgrade installation is done: