VPN / Global Protect (off-site access to on-campus resources)

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.

Installing GlobalProtect

• Login using your College email address
• Use your normal network password
• Use gp.okanagan.bc.ca as the portal address
• You will be required to use MFA authentication

To install GlobalProtect on your computer...

From the Windows START menu select "Company Portal"

From Company Portal - Recently Published Apps or Apps select "GlobalProtect" - on the next screen select "Install"

   You will see a pop-up indicating that Global protect is being downloaded and installed, be patient it can be slow

   You will see a pop-up indicating that Global protect has been installed.

From your computer's Taskbar, down to the left of the clock click the ^ (hidden icons)

The Global Protect icon will show up as a grey globe when disconnected or a green globe when connected

NOTE: if your computer does not have the Company Portal option in the START menu it may require updating. Please submit an IT Service request with details.

To use 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.