Gaining access to all the on-line resources the UCSC Library has to offer—article databases, full-text articles, e-journals, e-books—requires you to log into the UCSC campus network. The recommended method to do this is via the Cisco AnyConnect VPN (virtual private network) Client, using your CruzID and Gold password.

Follow the instructions below to set up the VPN Client; once you've done so, simply enter your CruzID and Gold password into the VPN client and you'll be connected!

First, go to the UCSC Library homepage...

2. Scroll over the Research tab on the homepage; a pop-up box will appear with a number of links...

3. Under 'Connect from Your Computer', click on 'Off-Campus Access Options'...

4. Under 'Campus VPN', click on the 'Cisco AnyConnect Client' link...

5. Under 'VPN Client Installation', click on the 'Download the VPN Client' link...

6. ...which will take you to a page where you must log in with your CruzID and Gold password. Enter them and click on 'Log in'...

7. Click on the link for the operating system of the computer on which you're downloading the VPN Client...

8. Save the Client's installer file to your desktop or Downloads folder so you can find it once it's finished downloading...

9. Go to the location (the Downloads folder in this example) where you saved the installer file; double-click on the file name...

10. The installer will open; follow the installer's directions to set up the AnyConnect VPN Client...

11. Once the VPN Client is installed, its icon will appear in your computer's dock and in its list of applications. Click on the VPN Client icon...

12. A VPN Client pop-up box will appear...

13. Type 'vpn.ucsc.edu' in the pop-up box and click on 'Connect'...

14. A second pop-up box will appear; enter your CruzID and Gold password in it...

15. You are now connected to the UCSC campus network!

After this initial installation, you never have to go through these steps again. The VPN Client should automatically pop up whenever you turn your computer on, so simply enter your CruzID and Gold password (as in step 14 above) and you're good to go!