Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

AnyConnect VPN: Pre-login Connection

Connecting to VPN from the Windows logon screen

With the AnyConnect "Start Before Logon module (GINA)" package, you can establish a VPN connection to our infrastructure before you log in to Windows. This can be installed via "Software Center" found in the Start menu on SCS managed Windows machines that are subscribed to Software Support.

If your SCS Windows computer was built on or after August 2020, this version will already be installed on your system.  

    Connecting from the Windows Login Screen

  1. At the Windows 10 logon screen please click on the VPN icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
    icons on windows login screen
  2. Please type in sbl.vpn.cmu.edu into the server field. Click Connect.

    *Note: vpn.cmu.edu does not allow Start Before Logon connections.*

    anyconnect connection window
  3. Enter your Andrew credentials at the prompt.  

    Type "push" without the quotes into the "Second Password" field.  This should send an approval request to your Duo Mobile app on your smartphone.  You can also use the Passcode from the Duo Mobile app in the "Second Password" field if you prefer.  

    After a successful connection, please logon to Windows as normal.

    annyconnect prompting for credentials