Connect to the VPN
The Northwind VPN gives you secure access to internal systems when you are not on an office network. Use it whenever you work from home, a hotel, a customer site or a public network. The network is managed by Liam O'Connor (Network Engineer).
Before you start
- You need a company laptop, see Laptop setup.
- You need MFA enrolled. MFA is mandatory for everyone under POL-IT-003, see Password manager and MFA.
- You need VPN access, which is part of the standard access granted on your first day. If it is missing, follow Request access.
Install and connect
- Open the Software Centre on your laptop and install "Northwind VPN Client".
- Start the client and choose the profile for your nearest region:
nw-austin,nw-londonornw-pune. - Sign in with your Northwind account.
- Approve the MFA prompt on your phone.
- Wait for the status to show "Connected".
If you prefer the command line, the client also installs a small tool:
nwvpn connect --profile nw-london
nwvpn status
nwvpn disconnect
Which region should I choose?
| You are in | Profile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North America | nw-austin |
Default for US staff |
| UK and Europe | nw-london |
Default for UK staff |
| India and Asia | nw-pune |
Default for Pune staff |
If you are working on a customer with a data-location requirement, such as Orion Energy, choose the US profile and check with your delivery manager first.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What to try |
|---|---|
| Stuck on "Connecting" | Switch networks, or use your phone hotspot |
| MFA prompt never arrives | Check your phone has internet; then re-open the authenticator app |
| Connected but cannot reach an internal site | Disconnect and reconnect; clear the DNS cache |
| "Certificate expired" | Restart the laptop and reconnect; if it persists, contact the service desk |
| Slow connection | Use the profile closest to you |
Rules
- Do not share your VPN credentials or approve MFA prompts you did not start. If you receive an unexpected prompt, report it at once to security (Erin Oduya), see Report an incident.
- Do not install personal VPN software alongside the company client.
- Disconnect when you do not need the VPN.
Still stuck?
Ask the service desk led by Bob Kessler, or see Who to ask.
Owner: Liam O'Connor - Last updated: 2026-03-30