BCS Help

Virtual Private Networking (VPN) allows users to access University-restricted resources from non-University internet connections.  For security reasons, departments and organizations will restrict certain websites or web pages to those coming from a University network connection.  To maintain the same level of security, users connecting from non-University internet connections will need to verify that they are a member of the University before being allowed to access those same resources.  You can do this by authenticating via a VPN client.

The Biochem department has its own VPN server to provide access to University-restricted resources when you are outside of the University.  Biochem VPN accounts are available to staff and faculty within the Biochemistry & Biophysics Department. The Biochem VPN service provides our staff/faculty a secondary option to the campus vpn@UCSF service.

Requesting a Biochem VPN Account

To request a Biochem VPN Account, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the following information:

• Full Name
• Lab, program, or department unit you belong to
• Reason for needing a Biochem VPN account (beyond the campus vpn@UCSF account)

Biochem VPN Configuration Settings

Mac OS-X

1. Open the Application, "Internet Connect"
   1. In the Menubar, go to "File" down to "New VPN Connection ..."
2. In the Setup, choose "PPTP", choose continue.
3. In the new window, type in the following: Next to "Configuration:", click on "Other" and bring it down "Edit Configurations...":
4. Enter the following:
   1. Server: bch-svr.ucsf.edu
   2. Account Name: your vpn account name
   3. Account Password: your vpn password, which is different than your email password
   4. For Encryption, choose "Maximum (128 bit only)"
   5. Click, OK.
5. Check the "Show VPN status in menu bar".
   1. Re-launch Thunderbird, or https://biochem.ucsf.edu:9100/
   2. Next, click the "Connect" button to connect the Biochem VPN Server. You may now close
6. To disconnect from the Biochem VPN, go to your menubar next to the clock, you will see the icon that looks like a black belt buckle.
   1. Note, you can use this same icon to reconnect to the Biochem VPN.
   2. This same VPN connection will give you access to your biochem email and the UCSF Library/Galen System
   3. Your VPN session does time out if your computer is idle for a period of time. Just reconnect using the VPN icon next to your clock (similar to the image above)
   4. For the best results, do not open your email application (i.e Thunderbird) until after you made your connection to the Biochem VPN

Windows XP

1. Open the Start Menu, go to "Network" and choose "Show all Connections "
2. Under Network Tasks, click on "create a new connection"
3. The New Connection Wizard opens, choose next.
4. In the new window, choose "Connect to the network at my workplace", click on next.
5. Choose "Virtual Private Network" (VPN), click next
6. Enter "UCSF-Biochem" for the company name, click next.
7. If you are NOT using dial-up and are using DSL/Cable/Broadband, choose "Do not dial the initial connection". Click next.
8. Enter the following, then click next:
   1. Server: bch-svr.ucsf.edu
9. Check the box next to "Add a shortcut to this connect to my desktop", click next.
10. On your desktop, you will see the new shortcut. Open the shortcut named "UCSF-Biochem". **In the future, just double-click on this shortcut to open your VPN connection.
11. Enter the following:
    1. Account Name: your vpn account name
    2. Account Password: your vpn password, which is different than your email password
    3. You can save your login and password if you prefer. However, if you are using someone else computer, do not save your login or password.
    4. Click, Connect.
12. Re-launch Thunderbird, or https://biochem.ucsf.edu:9100/
13. To disconnect from the Biochem VPN, open the shortcut on the desktop, and choose disconnect:
    1. Note, you can use this same icon to reconnect to the Biochem VPN.
    2. This same VPN connection will give you access to your biochem email and the UCSF Library/Galen System
    3. Your VPN session does time out if your computer is idle for a period of time. Just reconnect using the VPN icon next to your clock (similar to the image above)
    4. For the best results, do not open your email application (i.e Thunderbird) until after you made your connection to the Biochem VPN