Client Services Support, AITS VPN (Mac)

If you have been granted access to the AITS VPN, these instructions will allow you to set up the VPN connection on a non-university owned Mac. (This article is intended for employees supported by Client Services Support)

VPN configuration for macOS 13 Ventura (and newer)

  1. Open System Settings and select Network from the left panel.
  2.  Select the dot menu from the corner, VPN Configuration from the dropdown menu, and lastly select IKEv2
    A macOS system settings menu.  The Network option, highlighted in blue, is on the left and has a spherical grid icon.  A green arrow is pointing to a three-dot dropdown menu, with the "Add VPN Configuration" option selected, followed by "IKEv2."
  3. Configure the settings as shown.  For the Urbana VPN, the server address and Remote ID will both be aitsras1.aits.uillinois.edu.  Under Authentication, set the type to Username, use your NetID as the username, and input your password in the designated field.  Select Create to finalize the setup process.

A VPN creation screen, labeled with IKEv2.  Display name is set to Urbana VPN.  Server address and Remote ID are set to aitsras1.aits.uillinois.edu.  Authentication type is Username, and the NetID and password field are filled out with relevant details.  The "Create" button is highlighted in red.

4.  For Chicago VPN, perform the same steps, but input aitsras2.aits.uillinois.edu in both the Server Address and Remote ID fields.

A VPN creation screen, labeled with IKEv2.  Display name is set to Chicago VPN.  Server address and Remote ID are set to aitsras2.aits.uillinois.edu.  Authentication type is Username, and the NetID and password field are filled out with relevant details.  The "Create" button is highlighted in red.

Connecting VPN in macOS 13 Ventura (and newer)

  1. From the System Settings/VPN menu, toggle the desired VPN button as shown.  You can also use the menu bar option to connect.
    A VPN window in System Settings, with Urbana VPN's connection button toggled.   A macOS dropdown icon for VPN, with the options Connect Urbana VPN and Chicago VPN available.  The Urbana VPN connection is highlighted in red.
  2. Check the DUO app for permission to connect, and after approval connectivity will be established.
    A notification window from a DUO authenticator app asking for approval to connect to the AITS VPN.

VPN configuration for macOS 12 Monterey (and older)

    1. Open System Preferences from either the dock or the Apple dropdown menu.
    2. From the System Preferences menu, select the blue Network globe
      On the left, a black dropdown menu is shown, with System Preferences highlighted in red.  Next to it is the System Preferences dock icon, a silver circular symbol of overlapping mechanical gears.  On the right is the System Preferences menu, with the Network icon, a blue sphere covered in electric lines, highlighted in green.
    3. Select the plus symbol (+) from the bottom left of the Network window.
      A black Network settings menu, with the primary connection selected on the left panel, accentuated with a green circle.  At the bottom left is a square button with a plus symbol within, a green rectangle around it for added emphasis.
    4. From the interface dropdown, select VPN.  Set the VPN type to IKEv2 and the Service Name to Urbana VPN (IKEv2).
      A black VPN configuration window, with fields for Interface, VPN type, and the Service Name.    Interface:  VPN VPN Type:  IKEv2 Service Name:  (Urbana or Chicago) VPN (IKEv2)
    5. With the VPN selected on the left panel, set the Service Address and Remote ID to aitsras1.aits.uillinois.edu, then click Apply.
      A black Network settings menu, with VPN selected on the left panel, a grey and white padlock icon next to it.  To the right are the VPN connection settings, with the Server Address and Remote ID both filled in with aistras1.aits.uillinois.edu
    6. For Chicago VPN, repeat these steps but label the Service Name Chicago VPN (IKEv2) and set the Server Address and Remote ID to aitsras2.aits.uillinois.edu.


KeywordsAITS, VPN, Client Services, system office, Mac, apple, ikev2   Doc ID98683
OwnerLillian H.GroupUniversity of Illinois Technology Services
Created2020-03-11 14:11:58Updated2023-04-05 10:36:05
SitesUniversity of Illinois System, University of Illinois Technology Services
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