VPN and Remote Network

Instructions for installing and connecting to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) portal, accessing GlobalProtect offsite, and remote network access (accessing files stored on the administrative file server).

If you have any questions, contact us.

TMCC's GlobalProtect SSL Virtual Private Network (VPN) portal gives TMCC employees secure access to the TMCC network. The portal will also give campus users and consultants external access to TMCC servers. The VPN gateway is initially installed through a web browser and accessible from anywhere.

In order to have access to the VPN, follow the instructions below to install a small client (called paconnect).

Operating Systems

The VPN works with:

  • Mac OS X: version 10.9 and later
  • Windows 7 and later

To view your current operating system (Windows):

  1. Select the Start button > Settings > System > About. Open About settings.
  2. Under Device specifications > System type, see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
  3. Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

To view your current operating system (Mac OS):

  1. To see which version of macOS you have installed, click the Apple menu icon at the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Select the “About This Mac” command.
  3. The name and version number of your Mac's operating system appears on the “Overview” tab in the About This Mac window.

Browser Support

The following browsers are usable with the Cloud Services Portal:

  • Linux OS
    • Mozilla Firefox: version 58.0
  • Mac OS X
    • Google Chrome: version 63
    • Mozilla Firefox: version 58.0
    • Safari: version 11
  • Microsoft Windows OS
    • Google Chrome: version 63
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Mozilla Firefox: 57.0

Unsupported Browsers

The following browser versions/configurations do not work with the Cloud Services Portal:

  • Apple Safari: version 10 and lower, when using privacy mode

Connecting to the VPN

TMCC faculty, staff and student workers must request VPN access by contacting the IT Department.

Once you have the VPN software installed, log in using your TMCC network user name and password (the same username and password you use to log in to your administrative computer at TMCC). After logging in, the "GlobalProtect Portal" screen will appear.

Follow the correct set of instructions below for your operating system.

Instructions for Windows 10

  1. To install, click the "GlobalProtect64.msi" install located on the bottom-left corner of the GlobalProtect Portal screen.
  2. Click Run and the "Welcome to the GlobalProtect Setup Wizard" screen will appear. Click Next.
  3. Continue clicking Next following the Setup and Installation prompts until installation is confirmed and setup is complete. Click Close.
  4. The "GlobalProtect" screen appears (may be hidden behind your browser window).
  5. Type paconnect.tmcc.edu in the address line under "Portal" and click Connect.
  6. On the "GlobalProtect Login" screen, enter your TMCC network login credentials and click Connect.
  7. Congratulations! You have established a VPN connection! Close this window.

Note: You will not need to follow these steps in the future on this machine.

See Also:

Disconnecting from SSL VPN

  1. Right-click the GlobalProtect VPN Client icon located in the bottom-right side of your task bar.
  2. Click Disconnect on the pop-up menu.
  3. If the icon is hidden, click the arrow next to the system tray to show hidden icons.

Connecting to SSL VPN After Initial Installation

  1. Right-click the GlobalProtect VPN Client icon located in the bottom-right side of your task bar.
  2. Click Connect on the pop-up menu. (Note: There is no connection established when there is a red "X".)
  3. The Portal address is paconnect.tmcc.edu.
  4. Enter your TMCC network username and password and click Connect.
  5. Your VPN connection is established.

Instructions for Windows 7

  1. To install, click the download link that applies to your current operating system.
  2. Save the "Windows Installer Package" to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
  3. Double-click the "GlobalProtect.msi" that appears and click Next.
  4. Continue clicking Next following the “Setup and Installation” prompts until installation is confirmed and setup is complete. Click Close.
  5. The "GlobalProtect" screen appears (may be hidden behind your browser window).
  6. Type paconnect.tmcc.edu in the address line under Portal and click Connect.
  7. Enter your TMCC network login credentials on the "GlobalProtect Login" screen and click Connect.
  8. Congratulations! You have established a VPN connection! Close this window.

Note: You will not need to follow these steps in the future on this machine.

See Also:

Disconnecting from SSL VPN

  1. Right-click on the Global Protect VPN Client icon on the bottom-right of your task bar.
  2. Click Disconnect on the pop-up menu.
  3. If the icon is hidden, click the arrow next to the system tray to show hidden icons.

Connecting to SSL VPN After Installation

  1. Right-click on the GlobalProtect VPN Client icon located in the bottom-right of your task bar.
  2. Click Connect on the pop-up menu. (Note: There is no connection established when there is a red "X".)
  3. The Portal address is paconnect.tmcc.edu.
  4. Enter your TMCC network username and password and click Connect.
  5. Your VPN connection is established.

Instructions for Mac OS X

Note: When using the VPN to allow access, select "OK" if you see a Legacy System Extension window. Please contact Information Technology before upgrading to macOS 10.16 (expected to release in the Fall of 2020) to make certain the VPN has been upgraded for compatibility.

  1. To install, click "Download Mac 32/64 bit GlobalProtect agent".
  2. Click on the "Downloads icon" on the right side of the Dock and select "GlobalProtect.pkg".
  3. Click Continue when the "Install GlobalProtect", "Destination Select", and "Installation Type" screens appear and the click Install.
  4. Enter your TMCC network username and password and click "Install Software".
  5. When installation is complete, move the "GlobalProtect Installer" to the Trash and click Close.
  6. Type paconnect.tmcc.edu in the address line under "Portal" and click Connect.
  7. Enter your TMCC network login credentials on the "GlobalProtect Login" screen and click Connect.
  8. Congratulations! You have established a VPN connection! Close the GlobalProtect window.

Note: You will not need to follow these steps in the future on this machine.

See Also:

Disconnecting from SSL VPN

  1. Right-click the GlobalProtect VPN Client icon located in the top-right of your screen.
  2. Select Disconnect on the drop-down menu.

Connecting to SSL VPN After Installation

  1. Right-click the GlobalProtect VPN Client icon located in the top-right of your screen.
  2. Select Connect on the drop-down menu.
  3. The Portal address is paconnect.tmcc.edu.
  4. Enter your TMCC network username and password and click Connect.
  5. Your VPN connection is established.

Remote Network Access (to "H" and "S" drives)

Note: "H" drive is your personal home folder; "S" drive is for your department folders.

Occasionally, faculty or staff who are away from TMCC may need to access files stored on the administrative file server. 

In addition, teaching faculty who are in a classroom may have a need to access files stored on the administrative file server.

Windows OS

To access your network files (typically found on your "H" and "S" drives if logged on to the TMCC network from an administrative computer), follow these steps:

  1. TMCC employees/emeritus need to use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a remote connection to the TMCC network.
  2. Once connected to the TMCC network via the VPN, click Start, then Run.
  3. For all TMCC sites where your network files are stored, type the following in the RUN line: \\tmccadmn.tmcc.edu\Cloud
  4. Select OK and a login window will appear.
  5. Log in using either: tmccadmn\username (i.e., tmccadmn\jdoe) OR username@tmccadmn.tmcc.edu (i.e., jdoe@tmccadmn.tmcc.edu)
  6. Enter your network password (do not check the "Remember my credentials" box). You should now see all of your home and/or departmental network files and folders.
  7. Double-click the file or folder to access your network files.

Important: Be sure to log out of an academic computer (or restart or turn off); otherwise, the next person who runs "\\tmccadmn.tmcc.edu\cloud" will gain direct access to your files!

Mac OS X

To access your network files (typically found on your "H" and "S" drives if logged on to the TMCC network from an administrative computer), follow these steps:

  1. TMCC employees/emeritus need to use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a remote connection to the TMCC network.
  2. Once connected to the TMCC network via the VPN, in the Finder on your Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server. You will get a prompt for the server address.
  3. For all TMCC sites where your network files are stored, type the following in the server address: smb://tmccadmn.tmcc.edu/cloud.
  4. Click on the "+" sign to the right of the box to add the server to your favorites. You are able to add as many servers as you like.
  5. When prompted for a username, type tmccadmn\ followed by your TMCC username (i.e., tmccadmn\epresley).
  6. Enter your TMCC network password. You should now see all of your home and/or departmental network files and folders.
  7. Double-click on the file or folder to access your network files.

Important: Be sure to log out of an academic computer (or restart or turn off); otherwise, the next person who runs "smb://tmccadmn.tmcc.edu/cloud" will gain direct access to your files!