This tip outlines the few steps required to quickly start (or stop) your VPN service via the VPN status menu in the top bar. 

To have access to the VPN status icon  in the top menu bar you must have selected the “Show VPN status in menu bar” option in the System Preference’s Network VPN Service pane. If not check out the VPN Setup tip on how to do so.

To connect to a VPN server, click on the VPN Status icon which can be found on the right side of your top menu bar:

On the drop-down menu, click on the Connect Home Office (your service name may be different, and if you have more than one service, you may have to select the service you want to use, which is listed below the Connect … option). If you want to see the progress/status of the connection attempt and/or how long your have been connected, make sure there are check marks beside the to show options. You can select/deselect the option by clicking on the option line.

Once connected you you will see the connection time status, assuming your selected the Show time connected option:

To disconnect, click on the VPN Status icon to gain access to the drop-down menu:

On the drop-down menu, click on the Disconnect Home Office (your service name may be different) to disconnect from the server:

That’s all there is to it.