VPN

If you are accessing RSMAS nodes from off of the RSMAS net there are some restrictions on what you can do.  If you require local RSMAS net access from outside, you can use the RSMAS VPN Server to make it look like you are a local computer.   This is preferable to making the RSMAS node or service available thru the firewall in most cases; access without VPN is better  where there is fairly large-volume data transfer- as with frequent large-file transfer with internal RSMAS nodes, email rcf-support@rsmas.miami.edu with details if this is an issue.

A Virtual Private Net (vpn) client can be accessed thru the URL below. The client allows you to be on the "local" RSMAS net when you are on a remote computer and connected to the Internet by an outside provider such as AOL, BellSouth DSL, RSMAS Wireless net, etc. Using this, you don’t go thru the firewall, so you have full access to RSMAS services.

The connection is a bit slower than a regular (NON-VPN) connection and requires a some setup by the user, but it works without too much trouble.

To access Juniper Networks VPN: Go to https://remote.rsmas.miami.edu and follow the instructions. It should prompt you for your RSMAS username and password. It then opens a window with restricted services- Click the [Start] button at the VPN [Network] connect at the bottom. The first time you run it, it will install a piece of software on your computer. Your browser has to have a current version of Java for it to work. If it does not, you just repeatedly get prompted to run the installation software. See help for your browser or Google if you need to update Java for your particular browser. Your VPN connection lasts for a day or as long as your computer stays connected to the net, whichever is shorter.

NOTE:  Current versions of Ubuntu linux (12.x) require some twiddling to work with this Juniper VPN.  See http://mad-scientist.us/juniper.html for details.  It works fine with Windows, Mac, and RedHat/Centos Linux as long as your Java is current.

SECURITY NOTE: There is always some security problem with Java, and many of us like to run with Java disabled in our browsers.  Once you do the inital install of this software with Java enabled in your browser, you can then disable Java and run VPN by finding the executable that the install placed on your machine.  For instance, my windows executable is placed in  " C:\Programs Files\Juniper Networks\Network Connect 7.1.8\dsNetworkConnect.exe".  I place a shortcut to that executable in my task bar and run VPN thru the icon in the taskbar.  I can then disable Java in my browser or thru the control panel.  Java is required for Kronos, but you can certainly do this on the computer you use at home.  The same sort of thing can be done with Mac or Linux installations of NetworkConnect.