FAQ: External connections to NTHU - nthu-ioa/cluster GitHub Wiki
VPN with NTHU WLAN account
Since fomalhaut is accessible from the internet, you can use it as a gateway to ssh into your IoA desktop machine from off-campus. This is fine in general. We would prefer you didn't use it for heavy traffic. Also it won't work when the cluster is offline.
As an alternative, NTHU has a secure VPN service that allows you to join the campus network from outside.
[!TIP]
To use the VPN, you need to be registered for the campus wifi. You should have a username like [email protected] and an associated password (this is the same as the details you would use to connect to eduroam or the nthu-peap network, for example).
See these instructions from Network Services (and the English version)
Short version (out of date but may still work, see update below)
- Go to: https://nthu.twaren.net/dana-na/auth/url_default/welcome.cgi
- Fill in your wifi account name and password (including
@wlan.nthu.edu.twas shown) - If you don't have the Pulse Secure VPN software, you will be prompted to install it.
- If you do have Pulse Secure, it will start automatically and connect you to the VPN.
Once connected, you should be able to ssh to local machines as if you were on campus.
[!WARNING]
When connected to the VPN, all your network traffic is routed through the campus, and has to obey the rules that apply on campus. Make sure to only use the VPN for work and study.
Pulse Secure is the default software and the only one that works with the webpage above, but you can probably make any general VPN software work with a bit more effort.
Update
NTHU now (2026) recommend installing a VPN client (either Ivanti Secure Access or PulseSecure). This software is free to NTHU users but has to be obtained from the NCHC download site. See here: https://net.nthu.edu.tw/netsys/sslvpn:info (the NCHC password is just nchc).
Note that only some of the provided versions of either client have Linux software (they all have Mac and Windows). Here are links to folders with Linux versions (but feel free to explore the other folders...):