VPN to access the internet while abroad

jimmyjim_uk

I'm off to Qatar on Wednesday for 12 weeks and work have given me a laptop with VPN access.

The VPN software is Cisco Systems VPN Client Version 5.0.01.0600.

I want to be able to access the internet via the VPN when I'm away so I can watch BBC iplayer. Does anyone know if this will happen automatically or will I have to change settings?

Thanks.

millwalll

You will need the internet in order to use the VPN service. Hope this helps

Chris55_2

The VPN will connect you securely via the internet back to the host system. I assume if work have provided the pc it will get you back to your normal work environment, so it would be as if you were working "in the office". There should be nothing stopping you trying it out from home, just to see how you are connected. If you're running on the office system it will depend if there are any restrictions on running iplayer at work - there may well be! I'm running an earlier version of the Cisco vpn software that connects me back to "the office" - except in my case the office it connects me to is in the USA, so iplayer wouldn't work on my system, even if work allowed it (which it doesn't)!

jimmyjim_uk

Thanks guys.

Chris55 I am trying it from home at the moment and iplayer worked. How can I determine that I am connecting to the internet via the host system. My concern is that when I am in Qatar that I will connected to the internet via the local ISP meaning I can't connect to iplayer, 4od, etc. as middle east TV is rubbish!

wanman

If it works over the VPN from home then it should also work from anywhere else. When the VPN client is activated all traffic goes over that encrypted tunnel and through your work host system, nothing goes directly to the internet. As Chris55 said you should only be restricted by any controls applied on your work network and not by the ISP, and the BBC etc will see you as coming from an internet address on your work network.

jimmyjim_uk

Thanks wanman that makes sense.

Wants concerning me is that I'm currently using the work laptop at home and the ip address is identical when I am logged into VPN and when I am not. If that happens in Qatar I won't be able to use iplayer as I would show up on as a Qatar IP address?

RobTang

Which IP is the same ?

When you log into a VPN, you will have 2 IP address, one for your internet connection and one for the VPN connection, all traffic should be routed through the VPN connection.

As before make sure you get permission from your work to use the vpn for personal reasons.

jimmyjim_uk

RobTang wrote: »

Which IP is the same ?

When you log into a VPN, you will have 2 IP address, one for your internet connection and one for the VPN connection, all traffic should be routed through the VPN connection.

As before make sure you get permission from your work to use the vpn for personal reasons.

The IP address for my internet connection. I thought my IP address would change when logged into VPN but it isn't.

Is there a way of finding out what the IP address is for the VPN?

weegie.geek

http://www.whatismyip.com

will show you the ip address the internet sees when you connect via the VPN.

jimmyjim_uk

Done that and IP address is the same when logged in and logged out of the VPN. Thats say to me that the VPN is not using a different IP to my connection. I thought it would have a different address.

weegie.geek

Then only traffic to and from work is routed over the VPN. Your best bet is to spend a couple of quid on a UK VPS while you're away, and SSH tunnel to iplayer etc through it.