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ITS Knowledge Base
ITS Knowledge Base
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GlobalProtect VPN

GlobalProtect is UNC Asheville’s required VPN client for remote access. The IT Service Desk is available to help support your authentication, local application, and will report service disruptions to ITS support staff.

Entitlement

Remote access is available to faculty, staff, and select student groups identified to ensure fulfillment of academic requirements.

Faculty & Staff with a university laptop should have GlobalProtect already installed on your laptop. They are available to install & manage through Windows Software Center and Mac Self Service.

Students have a few options to obtain GlobalProtect for their remote access client.

  • The Apple & Microsoft Store have Global Protect readily available and vetted by said parties. Additionally, this will ensure that new versions released are captured automatically. ITS Support highly recommends this option

  • Install packages are available for download at https://vpn.unca.edu. MFA authentication is required. Windows / Mac / Linux installers are available.

Using the Client

When Global Protect is first installed on a Mac or when logging in you may see a message indicating “Connection Failed”. This can be ignored retry by hitting “Reconnect”.

Connecting

Find GlobalProtect as a gray icon in your System Tray. Use “vpn.unca.edu” as your address and click Connect.

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Authenticate

An authentication request should automatically trigger in your default browser. Complete with your UNCA credentials and Multi-Factor method.


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Connected

Once your MFA request is approved, it will proceed to connect you. You will see an “Authentication Complete” page along with UNCA’s terms for using VPN. The client will also show as “connected.”

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When you connect, GlobalProtect will remember your authentication for 24 hours before asking you to reauthenticate and MFA. 24 hours is also the max session length allowed for VPN before it will disconnect you.

Global Protect uses the sign on with the default browser. Meaning, if you already signed into OnePort or another UNCA resource with MFA, you session will be honored using Global Protect and not require you to authenticate again.