VPN / GlobalProtect
OC Employees who are off-site can gain access to on-campus resources by creating a VPN connection using GlobalProtect software. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection makes a remote device appear to be physically on the Kelowna Campus and thus allows access to services such as on campus printers, some restricted myOkanagan features and more. Please see the Traveling outside Canada knowledge base article for specific use details.
Due to provincial privacy legislation and requirements for encryption this service is normally restricted to only college owned devices.
Using GlobalProtect
From your computer's Taskbar, down to the left of the clock click the ^ (hidden icons)
The GlobalProtect icon will show up as a grey globe when disconnected or a green globe when connected - to connect select it
- ensure the portal says "gp.okanagan.bc.ca"
- click on "Connect"
- you will get standard login prompts for username (your COLLEGE email), password and MFA Authentication
On occasion you may get a pop-up indicating that GlobalProtect needed to change the connection type - this is normal and requires no action other than to close the message.
Possible Slowing of general Internet traffic
GlobalProtect is a VPN which creates a virtual tunnel of your Internet traffic from your computer through the Internet to the Kelowna KLO campus. This makes the computer appear to be 'on' the KLO campus and network traffic can take additional hops from your current location to the KLO campus and then out to the broader world. This can result in latency (slowness) when connecting to sites that might not be there if your network traffic took a more direct route.
While the the software uses algorithms to alleviate this you may wish to only connect the GlobalProtect VPN while you need to access services that are only available when on campus and then disconnect the GlobalProtect for more general work using online services such as M365 or personal web surfing.