Getting Connected to NGS while on the Road… Donna V. Shaw, NGS Convocation

“Out of the office…” Because there are many users who must work offsite (State Advisors, Teleworkers, Contractors, Employees who are on travel), it’s necessary to make many network services available from remote locations. Access to these services may be slightly more complex, because of security considerations, but the users will find that they have much of the functionality that they would have in the office.

Available Remote Services Internet NGS Intranet (with a valid account) Access to files on Internal Servers, behind the NOAA TCN firewall (via ftp, telnet, etc.)

NOAA Dial-up Account With a NOAA Dialup account, also called a RAS (Remote Access Server) account, users may access their NOAA or the Internet for free from any computer that has a modem and access to a telephone line.

NOAA Dial-up Account (continued) To request an account, and the or local (301) phone number, contact the NGS Help Desk. Your NOAA Dial-up login information (username and password) are the same as those you use to access your NOAA .

NOAA Dial-up Account (continued) From Windows 2000 and XP machines- You can configure the dialup session by right- clicking on the Desktop “My Network Places” icon. Then scroll down to and select “Properties”, and choose “Make (Create) New Connection”.

What is a VPN? A V irtual P rivate N etwork is a system which uses encryption and other security features to allow private data communications over a public network (such as the Internet). This system is comprised of hardware and software, that create a “tunnel” between authorized, authenticated hosts and users. Once this “tunnel” is established, all data that is sent across is protected from other users of the public network infrastructure.

Why is the VPN necessary? Most systems on NOAA’s network are now located behind a “firewall”. Host systems behind this security hardware have private addresses that cannot be contacted by outside internet systems. NOAA refers to this as the TCN (Trusted Campus Network)

Systems You May Access via the VPN: UNIX Servers Windows Servers ngs-s-daedalus ngs-s-rsdlic future: (for NGS employees) your home directory on ngs-s-brunswick

What You Need to Get Started Internet Access VPN Instructions VPN Software Account & Configuration Information

Internet Access Methods NOAA Dial-up Account Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) dialup, DSL, cable-modem, wireless/satellite Wireless “Hot Spots” Free Internet offered by most Hotels, Universities, and Government buildings

Wireless Internet You can perform an Internet search to locate places that offer wireless Internet connectivity.

VPN Requirements for the Cisco VPN client version 4.6 The Cisco VPN Client supports Windows 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP; Linux (Intel); Solaris (UltraSparc 32- and 64-bit); and Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3, and Windows PC Requirements: A single, Pentium®-class processor. One of the following operating systems: – Microsoft®Windows® 98, or Windows 98 (second edition) – Windows ME – Windows NT 4.0 (with Service Pack 6, or higher) – Windows 2000 – Windows XP Microsoft TCP/IP installed. (Confirm via Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network > Protocols or Configuration.) 50 MB hard disk space. RAM: – 32 MB for Windows 98 – 64 MB for Windows NT and Windows ME – 64 MB for Windows 2000 (128 MB recommended) – 128 MB for Windows XP (256 MB recommended)

VPN Instructions

“How do I obtain the VPN software?” Via Have a CD sent by Fedex to your location NGS Help Desk can install it for you Onsite, from the network server

Installing and Configuring the Cisco VPN Client

“What am I able to do then?” You will be able to access NGS servers similarly to the way you would if you were onsite- by IP address or hostname. Command prompt, telnet client (Putty, etc.)

NGS Wide Area Network

For More Information: Contact- Donna V. Shaw (301) ext. 102 NGS Help Desk (301)