VPN Client Setup (Windows)

This page explains the steps necessary to get started using an Atlas VPN. It assumes you have a computer running a recent version of Windows; if you have a Mac, those instructions are coming soon.

Step 1: Obtain VPN keys

An Atlas VPN is like a locked vault: before you can access what's inside, you need the keys. In this case, the “keys” are a set of files that contain information that uniquely identifies you to the Atlas firewall. Just like the keys to that vault, it's important that you keep these keys safe and don't let any unauthorized users get a hold of them!

Before accessing the VPN, your network administrator or an Atlas representative should provide you with the following four files:

  • <ClientName>.ovpn, a configuration file that tells the VPN client software how to find and connect to your company's VPN.
  • <ClientName>-CA.crt, a “certificate” identifying your company's VPN.
  • <ClientName>-<UserID>.crt, a certificate identifying you.
  • <ClientName>-<UserID>.key, a “key” file which proves you have the authority to connect to the VPN.
Sample key files
Figure 1. A sample set of VPN “keys” for John Doe of the Acme company.

Step 2: Install the software

The OpenVPN-GUI application is the software that runs on your computer and allows you to connect to your company's VPN. The software is freely available for all recent versions of Windows.

  1. Download the “Windows Installer” for the latest version of the OpenVPN software (version 2.1.1 when this document was last updated) from the download page on OpenVPN.net.
  2. Find the openvpn-2.1.1-install.exe file and double-click it to launch the installer. (If you're running Windows Vista or Windows 7, you'll need to click “Yes” in the User Account Control pop-up window to allow the installer to run.)
  3. Click Next to begin the setup wizard, then I Agree to accept the licensing agreement, then Next to accept the default set of components, and finally Install to begin the installation process. When the installation is completed, click Next, uncheck the “Show Readme” box, and then click Finish.
  4. Windows Vista and Windows 7 users only: Perform the following steps to allow the OpenVPN application to run with elevated privileges:
    1. Open Windows Explorer (or click Computer in the Start Menu) and navigate to the OpenVPN program directory. In most cases, this is C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\ but on some systems this may be C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenVPN\bin\.
    2. Right-click on the oepnvpn-gui-1.0.3.exe file, and click Properties.
    3. In the Properties window, swith to the “Compatibility” tab.
    4. Click “Change settings for all users” and click Yes in the User Account Control pop-up window if it appears.
    5. Check the box in the “Privilege Level” section marked “Run this program as an administrator”.
    6. Click OK, then OK again, to dismiss both pop-up windows.
  5. Open Windows Explorer (or click Computer in the Start Menu) and navigate to the OpenVPN configuration directory. In most cases, this is C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\ but on some systems this may be C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenVPN\config\. Copy the VPN keys into this directory.

Step 3: Connect to the VPN

  1. Locate the “OpenVPN GUI” application in your Start Menu, and click it.
  2. Windows Vista and Windows 7 users only: Click Yes in the User Account Control pop-up window to allow the VPN client software to run with elevated privileges.
  3. Look in the notification area to the left of the clock (at the bottom-right corner of the screen). The icon for the VPN client software will appear here as a pair of computers with red screens.
  4. Right-click on the icon for the VPN client software, and click Connect. The screens pictured in the icon will change to yellow, indicating that the connection process is underway.
  5. Depending on the configuration of your VPN, you may be asked to provide a username and password, or just a password. Enter the information as instructed and click OK.
  6. When the screens pictured in the icon change to green, you have successfully connected to the VPN. You should also see a pop-up notification saying that you have connected, although the exact appearance of this notification varies depending on which version of Windows you have.
At this point, you can use any resources on the company network just as if you were sitting in the office. This means you can use the Remote Desktop Client on your computer to connect to a terminal server or your work desktop, browse to file shares on the server (if this is allowed by your network administrator), or use network-enabled applications. If you need assistance connecting to network resources once you are on the VPN, please ask your network administrator or contact us.

Step 4: Disconnect from the VPN

Once you have finished working with your company's network resources, you should disconnect from the VPN. Simply right-click on the OpenVPN icon (the two computers with green screens) and click “Disconnect”. The screens will turn red indicating that your connection has been terminated.

It is not necessary to quit the OpenVPN program in between VPN sessions. If you want to connect again before restarting your computer, simply right-click on the red computers, click “Connect”, and go from there.