August 17, 2001

Colleges Offer New Connections to Networks From Off Campus

By FLORENCE OLSEN

The University of Pittsburgh is among a growing number of colleges expanding campus-network access by offering "virtual private network" service to faculty members and students who live off campus.

With a virtual private network, or V.P.N., an off-campus user connects by modem -- phone, digital subscriber line, or cable -- to a commercial provider chosen by the institution, and can then log on directly to the campus network using encryption software that guarantees a secure link. The

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