To access on-campus resources (J-drive, K-drive, etc) from off-campus, you’ll need to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client. USC Aiken currently uses the PaltoAlto GlobalProtect Agent for VPN access.

Please follow the instructions below to install the GlobalProtect agent on your campus-owned or personally-owned system. If you need help with the installation or have a problem, please contact the Help Desk for assistance.

Install PaloAlto GlobalProtect VPN
To install the GlobalProtect agent:

• Go to: https://pa-vpn.usca.edu
  
  
• GlobalProtect uses the same account and authentication as your USC Aiken Microsoft Office and email account.
  • You may be prompted to sign in with your USC Aiken email address and password, as well as complete the Microsoft MFA authentication process, just as if you were signing into Outlook on the web.
    
    
• Once you’ve authenticated, you’ll be given links to download the GlobalProtect agent.
  
  
• Click the correct download link for your operating system.
  • For nearly all Windows systems, you’ll need to click the Windows 64-bit link.
  • For all Mac systems, you’ll need to click the Mac 32/64-bit link.
    
    
• Wait for the download to be completed.
  
  
• Run the installer. (The screenshots below are from the 64-bit Windows installer on Windows 11, but others will be similar. Screenshots for the Mac install will be available soon.)
  
  
• Accept all default options and continue through the installation until it is complete.
  
  
• You’ll see a small light gray globe icon in your Taskbar. This is the GlobalProtect agent.
  
  
• Click the GlobalProtect agent icon in your Taskbar.
  
  
• You’ll be shown a welcome screen, click the Get Started link at the bottom to continue.
  
  
• In the Portal field enter: pa-vpn.usca.edu and click Connect. 
  
  
• Once a secure VPN connection has been established the Global Protect icon will turn green and blue.
  
  
• To disconnect from VPN, click the GlobalProtect icon in your Taskbar and click Disconnect.
  
  
• GlobalProtect is now setup and available anytime you need it to connect remotely and securely to the USC Aiken campus network.

Connect to VPN
To connect to VPN, click the GlobalProtect icon in your Taskbar and click Connect.

Disconnect from VPN
To disconnect from VPN, click the GlobalProtect icon in your Taskbar and click Disconnect.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Anytime you are connected to VPN through GlobalProtect all of your internet access and data goes through the VPN connection. You are effectively using the USC Aiken campus for all of your internet traffic. As a result, all university rules and policies regarding the use of the network and internet apply. Please treat any VPN connection as if you were connecting to the internet while on campus.

Connecting to J and K drives while connected to VPN

Here are the instructions on how to connect to the J and K drives while connected to the VPN:

For the PC go Search and then type one of the following:

• For Student J-drive type: \\student.usca.edu\yourusername$
• For Faculty/Staff J-drive type: \\fileshare.usca.edu\yourusername$
• For K-drive type: \\fileshare.usca.edu\shared

For the Mac go to Go and then Connect to Server and then one of the following:

• For Student J-drive type: smb://student.usca.edu/yourusername$
• For Faculty/Staff J-drive type: smb://fileshare.usca.edu/yourusername$
• For K-drive type: smb://fileshare.usca.edu/shared