Faculty & Staff

Help Desk

VPN (Off-Campus Network Access)

USC Aiken now uses Junos PulseSecure for VPN access.

Faculty, Staff and Students should now use PulseSecure for off-campus access to university network resources from their personal or campus owned computers. PulseSecure replaced the older Junos Pulse client and systems still running the older client will automatically update on their first connection back to the network.

If you have any questions about VPN, or experience issues while using it, please contact the Help Desk for assistance.

How do I install Junos PulseSecure for Windows?

Installing PulseSecure is now much easier than with previous versions. If you already have an older version installed, your client…

Installing PulseSecure is now much easier than with previous versions. If you already have an older version installed, your client will update the first time you re-connect. If you don't currently have it installed on your system, just follow the instructions below:

If you run a 64-bit version of Windows, click here to download the 64-bit PulseSecure installer (most people).
If you run a 32-bit version of Windows, click here to download the 32-bit PulseSecure installer.
Sign-in using your USC Aiken email address and password.
The installer will download to your system, run it and complete any prompts necessary to complete the install.

PulseSecure is now installed on your computer.

How do I install Junos PulseSecure for Mac?

Installing PulseSecure is now much easier than with previous versions. If you already have an older version installed, your client…

Click here to download PulseSecure for Mac.
Sign-in using your USC Aiken email address and password.
The installer will download to your system, run it and complete any prompts necessary to complete the install.

PulseSecure is now installed on your computer.

How do I connect or disconnect to PulseSecure/VPN?

Windows To Connect: Click Start -> All Applications - > Pulse Secure or PulseSecure. The icon will be similar to…

Windows

To Connect:

Click Start -> All Applications - > Pulse Secure or PulseSecure. The icon will be similar to the one shown to the right.
Click "Connect" in the Pulse Secure window.
If asked for a server enter: vpn.usca.edu/ad
Enter your USCA email address and password in the login dialog before clicking "Connect" again to complete the connection.

To Disconnect:

Click the PulseSecure icon in your task bar.
Click "Disconnect" in the Pulse window.

Mac

To Connect:

Click Go -> Applications - > Junos Pulse Secure or PulseSecure. The icon will be similar to the one shown to the right.
Click "Connect" in the Junos Pulse window.
If asked for a server enter: vpn.usca.edu/ad
Enter your USCA email address and password in the login dialog before clicking "Connect" again to complete the connection.

To Disconnect:

Click the PulseSecure icon in your launch Bar.
Click "Disconnect" in the Juno Pulse window.

How do I access the K or J-drive while connected to PulseSecure/VPN?

Accessing files stored at J-drive and K-drive from a non-USC Aiken computer is a simple two step process. First you'll need to establish a Impulse or…

Accessing files stored at J-drive and K-drive from a non-USC Aiken computer is a simple two step process. First you'll need to establish a Impulse or VPN connection to USC Aiken. Then, you'll connect directly to the server using the commands listed below.

There are a few things to keep in mind when accessing your folders remotely:

If you're off-campus, a high speed (DSL or Cable) internet connection is suggested for best results.
You will only have access to your personal J drive and only K drive folders (and other drives) which you normally have access to.
If you are on-campus (but on a personal computer), you must first log into Impulse. If you are off-campus, you must first create a VPN connection. You will not be able to connect to the servers until a Impulse or VPN connection has been established.

Connect to Network Drives on PC

Log Into Impulse (On-Campus) or Log Into VPN (Off-Campus)

Click Start

Click the Search field (sometimes called the "Run" field)

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 USCA Class Folders: \\fileshare.usca.edu\shared\USCA Class Folders

Click OK

Enter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Password

Check Remember Username and Password

Click OK

Connect to Network Drives on MACs

Log Into Impulse (On-Campus) or Log Into VPN (Off-Campus)

Click GO

Click Connect to Server

Type one of the following:

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

Click OK

How do I connect to the USC Columbia VPN?

USC-Columbia recently switched back to using Cisco AnyConnect for VPN access. If you need to connect to Columbia's VPN, please…

USC-Columbia recently switched back to using Cisco AnyConnect for VPN access. If you need to connect to Columbia's VPN, please follow the instructions on their website:

Download the Cisco AnyConnect Software

You'll find this software listed in the catalog at the link above. The software is free to download.

Installation Guide for Cisco AnyConnect

Step-by-step instructions to install Cisco AnyConnect on both Windows and Mac computers.

Using Cisco AnyConnect

Detailed instructions on using AnyConnect for the first time.

Cisco AnyConnect and the Columbia VPN are supported by the Columbia campus. If you have any issues connecting to Columbia's VPN, please contact the Columbia UTS Service Desk at: 803-777-1800.