VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
***Please make sure to uninstall your current openvpn client***
Note: Our older VPN server (ldeovpn.ldeo.columbia.edu) has been retired.
To install the new OpenVPN client please follow the directions below:
If you are using a home computer to connect, please make sure that all of your security updates are installed as an infected home computer using the VPN can introduce a virus into the LDEO network. Users should also make sure that they have updated and scanned their computer with Malwarebytes (https://ldeo-it.ldeo.columbia.edu/content/malwarebytes)
Go to the new LDEO VPN website: https://vpn.ldeo.columbia.edu
Log in with your LDEO Username and Password.
After you have successfully logged in you will be presented a screen (like below). Click the appropriate OS to download it to your computer, and then install the new "OpenVPN Connect" Client (or download the new configuration file).

1: Click on "OpenVPN Connect for Windows" then click on Run or Save it to your hard drive and double click on "openvpn-connect-*.*.*_signed.msi" to start the installation.
2: After the installation is complete you should see the OpenVPN icon in your system tray as well as an Icon on your desktop.
To connect:
Double click on the OpenVPN Connect icon.
You will be greeted with the Onboarding Tour window. Click on the "X" to the right of "Onboarding Tour".
Agree to the Terms of Service.
Next, click OK to the Settings Updates.
Click on the slider to the left of "OpenVPN Profile".
Enter in your LDEO username and password.
You should now be connected to the LDEO VPN server.
To Disconnect:
Double click on the OpenVPN Connect icon.
Click on the slider to the left of "OpenVPN Profile".
1: After the download has finished, double click the openvpn-connect-*.*.*_signed.dmg file. You should now see a new window with the OpenVPN Connect Installer.pkg file. Double click on it to start the installation.
2: In the OpenVPN Connect installer click on Continue twice and accept the license agreement by clicking on Agree when prompted. Next Click on Install. After the installation has completed click on Close.
3: You will find the OpenVPN Connect Client in your Applications folder. Double click on it to start the client. After you have started the client you should see the icon in your Menu bar at the top of your screen.
To Connect:
You will be greeted with the Onboarding Tour window. Click on the "X" to the right of "Onboarding Tour".
Agree to the Terms of Service.
Next, click OK to the Settings Updates.
Click on the slider to the left of "OpenVPN Profile".
Enter in your LDEO username and password.
You should now be connected to the LDEO VPN server.
To Disconnect:
Click on the OpenVPN icon in your menu bar and then click on "Disconnect", or open the OpenVPN Connect application and click on the slider to the left of "OpenVPN Profile".
The below description is for Centos 7 based system. (Installation for Ubuntu or other Debian should be similar)
Login to your computer.
Open a web browser and connect to https://vpn.ldeo.columbia.edu
Login with your Username and Password.
Go to the bottom of the page and click on "Yourself(user-locked profile)"
Download the file client.ovpn
In your home directory make a directory VPN .
mv ~/Downloads/client.ovpn ~/VPN
Open a terminal window.
Become root su -
Run the following commands:
yum -y install epel-release
yum -y install NetworkManager-openvpn NetworkManager-openvpn-gnome
Go to Network Manager in the upper right corner of your desktop.
Click on "Wired" and then to "Wired Settings" and a new window will appear.
Then click on "+" and then select "VPN" and then "Import from file".
Where the box that says "Select file to import" navigate to your home directory/VPN
Then select the file "client.vpn".
Another window should open and there should be a fields for "Use name" and "Password".
These are your Lamont username and password.
Then at the bottom of that window click "ADD"
At this point your VPN settings should be setup.
To use the VPN:
Navigate to the Network Manager on the top right corner of your desktop.
You can then click on "VPN"
Then click on "CONNECT"
This should connect you to the Lamont VPN.