VPN for Linux

When you're off-campus and not directly connected to the Rhodes network e.g. ADSL Internet from home, you will not be able to connect to certain network applications and services.  In this case you will need to establish a VPN connection from your remote connection, giving you full access to resources on the campus network. Access to the VPN server is automatically granted to all staff at the University, and available to students via a Support Request based on need with an accompanying letter from the HOD. 

Below are the configuration instructions for your PC to make use of the VPN on Linux based Desktop Operating Systems.  These instructions have been followed on Ubuntu Desktop, so you will need to adapt them to suit your particular distribution.  By Default, the GNOME desktop UI Network Manager doesn't have options for SSTP VPN, so we will need to install the required plugins before doing the VPN configuration.

1. Log in to the client system and run the following command to add the eivnaes/network manager-sstp repository and install the network-manager-sstp plugin via your terminal.
   • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:eivnaes/network-manager-sstp && sudo apt install network-manager-sstp
2. Log out and back in again, and the GUI network manager should now have an SSTP VPN option.
3. Go to System Settings > Network Connections > Add(+) > Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol SSTP.
4. Give your connection a name e.g. RUVPN and in the gateway field type vpn.ru.ac.za.
5. Enter your username (in the form g00a1234 or s0001234) and, optionally, your password (if you don't enter it at this stage, you'll be prompted when you connect).
6. Click "Apply".
7. When you'd like to connect, please select you new VPN connection from the list in the top menu bar or directly from the System Settings page.