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Intranet Access

The NIEHS Intranet site is available only to personnel registered as NIEHS users with valid NIH user IDs.

If you need to access the NIEHS Intranet site but are unable to, please request that your supervisor, project officer or collaborator (as applicable) pursue access for you through their administrative officer (AO) and their computer support person (CSP).

The NIEHS Internet site (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/) is available for use by everyone.


Remotely Accessing NIEHS Resource



I. NIEHS Email

To access NIEHS email, navigate to https://mail.nih.gov/.

II. The Junction

To access The Junction, navigate to https://Citrix.niehs.nih.gov/.

When using Citrix Services, Remote Access Approval is not required and it is unnecessary to use VPN software. It is also required if a user needs to access Library "Journals" that are hosted at non-NIEHS locations, unless you are using Cisco VPN.

What is Citrix?

Citrix is a means of accessing NIEHS Server through a fully functional Terminal Server Session. Citrix Sessions transparently mimic nearly all every-day functionality for desktop computers.

Multiple users can be logged into a Citrix Server simultaneously from various locations throughout the world.

Citrix requires Citrix Software to be installed onto your machine. Most End-users do not require the full Citrix Software package and can instead install a small "Plug-in" onto their machine called NFuse.

What is NFuse?

NFuse is a web interface for accessing a Citrix published application. It requires a plug-in available for download on the Citrix Server. Systems that do not already have this plug-in installed will see a Warning Notice on the Citrix Nfuse Message Center screen (see below), as well as a link to download and install the file.

Citrix NFuse

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How to use Citrix NFuse

  1. Start your web browser.

  2. Navigate to https://citrix.niehs.nih.gov/. The login window displays.

    NFuse Login

  3. Enter your NIH username, password, and domain. The domain is "NIH" (without the quotes).

  4. Click the Login button. The Applications window displays.

    NFuse Applications

  5. Depending on your privileges, you can access either your Citrix applications (such as IPM) or your Citrix Desktop (for MS Office, Outlook, web browsers).

    1. Citrix Applications: If all you need are Citrix applications (such as IPM), click the appropriate application icon or the Applications icon.

    2. Citrix Desktops: If you need access to your Citrix Desktop, follow the instructions below. Please note that the actual display may vary depending on your privileges and Citrix configuration.

      1. Click the Citrix Desktops icon. The window displays icons for the Cassio Desktop and Citrix Desktop.

        NFuse Applications window displays icons for the Cassio Desktop and Citrix Desktop

      2. Click the icon for the appropriate desktop. The logon for the Citrix Farm displays, along with the government notice.

      3. Click the OK button. The ICA Client File Security window displays.

        ICA Client File Security

      4. In the ICA Client File Security window, select:

        • Full Access
        • Always ask me once per connection
      5. Click the OK button.

      6. Your Citrix Desktop displays.

      7. When you are finished, logout of your Citrix session (Start > Logoff, a confirmation window displays, click the Logoff button).

  6. When you are done using Citrix NFuse, go to your web browser with the Citrix NFuse Metaframe window and click the Logout button. The login window displays. You can now exit your web browser.

    From the Citrix Desktop you can access Outlook, Office, web browsers and other programs. The Outlook profile may need to be set up the first time you use it.

    Within Citrix you may access Email and Internet Explorer (NIEHS internal website), Word, Excel, etc.

III. Request Remote Access to NIEHS

To request remote access into NIEHS, navigate to the following location:

http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/remote/access.htm (link can be accessed via Citrix and Internet Explorer)

  • Step 1: Fill out the Request Remote Access Approval from your Supervisor

  • Step 2: For Supervisors Only - Approve Applications for Remote Access

  • Step 3: Take the Mandatory Secure Remote Access Training (NIH) courses
    Also see instructions for the training.

  • Step 4: Electronically sign the one-time agreement that must be signed by the employee to obtain remote access. Sign the form within the training in step 3 or sign it now at this link: http://cims.cit.nih.gov/nihforms.cfm?form=remote.access Exit NIEHS

  • Step 5: E-mail your NIEHS Account Sponsor to request the user be added to the NIH Active Directory VPN group through WebSponsor. The Account Sponsor will verify the prior steps before adding the access for the NIH VPN.

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IV. Obtain the VPN software

Once you receive remote access approval. Navigate to the following website to download the VPN client. - http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/remote/vpn/restrict/winxp.htm (link can be accessed via Citrix and Internet Explorer)


Cisco Systems VPN Client 5.0 - Windows (PC) 2000 / XP

If the VPN Client - Notifications pop-up window appears on your computer then click the Close button and follow the instructions below to upgrade your VPN client software. IMPORTANT: Once you download the new VPN client software, uninstall the old software prior to installing the new software.

Notifications pop-up window

General Information

Current Version: Cisco Systems VPN Client 5.0

The Cisco VPN Client enables you to establish secure, end-to-end encrypted tunnels. Using Cisco VPN from a remote location allows NIEHS users to access restricted NIEHS network and intranet resources that are normally only accessible from on-site.

Recent changes at NIEHS require off-site users to connect to the NIH VPN server. This means that you select the "NIH VPN" option in the Cisco client. The instructions under Start the Cisco Client are updated to reflect this change.

System Requirements

  • Computer with a Pentium®-class processor or greater
  • Windows 2000 or Windows XP
  • Microsoft TCP/IP installed
  • 10 MB hard disk space
  • 64 MB for Windows 2000, 128 MB for Windows XP
  • Administrator privileges if installing on Windows 2000 or Windows XP
  • To connect using a digital certificate for authentication, a digital certificate signed by one of the following Certificate Authorities (CAs) installed on your PC:
  • Or a digital certificate stored on a smart card. The VPN Client supports smart cards via the MS CAPI Interface.

Licensing

Client licenses free for licensed Cisco VPN servers.

Required Items

Software Website

Cisco Systems, Inc. - VPN Client (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2308/index.html)

Software Location

Clicking this link downloads a Cisco VPN install specifically designed for NIEHS use: Download the Cisco Client (http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/remote/vpn/restrict/xpvpn/NIEHS%20VPN%205.0.exe). Contact your CSP (http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/desktop/restricted/staff.htm) if you are having difficulties downloading the file.

Software Installation

After downloading the above file, read the installation instructions for VPN (http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/remote/vpn/restrict/xpvpn/Updating%20VPN%20Client%20to%20new%20version.pdf)  Download Adobe ReaderExit NIEHS.

Software Updates

None at this time.

Start the Cisco VPN Client

  1. After installing and rebooting your computer, go to Start > Programs > Cisco Systems VPN Client > VPN Client. The VPN Client window displays.
  2. On the Connection window, under the Connection Entry, double-click the NIH VPN. (You can right-click the NIH VPN entry and select Set as Default Connection Entry so that it is automatically selected the next time you use the Cisco Client.

    Connection window

  3. The VPN Client will connect with the NIH server. A login window displays.
  4. Enter NIH\ followed by your Domain Username and then your Password as shown below.

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Cisco Systems VPN Client 4.9.01 – Macintosh

General Information

Current Version: Cisco Systems VPN Client 4.9.01

The Cisco VPN Client enables you to establish secure, end-to-end encrypted tunnels. Using Cisco VPN from a remote location allows NIEHS users to access restricted NIEHS network and intranet resources that are normally only accessible from on-site. Recent changes at NIEHS require off-site users to connect to the NIH VPN server. This means that you select the "NIH VPN" option in the Cisco client. The instructions under Start the Cisco Client are updated to reflect this change.

System Requirements

  • Mac OS X 10.4 or higher
  • Network or Wireless connection capability
  • Administrator privileges on local machine

Licensing

Client licenses free for licensed Cisco VPN servers.

Required Items

  • Remote Access Approval (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/orgstructure/policies/intranetaccess.cfm#raa)
  • Active Network Connection through a dial-up modem or a broadband connection external to NIEHS (Earthlink, RoadRunner, BellSouth DSL, etc.).

Software Website

Cisco Systems, Inc. - VPN Client (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2308/index.html)

Software Location

Clicking this link downloads a Cisco VPN install specifically designed for NIEHS use: Download the Cisco Client (https://desktop.niehs.nih.gov/software/telecom/mac/osx/CiscoVPN4901.dmg). Contact your CSP (http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/desktop/restricted/staff.htm) if you are having difficulties downloading the file.

Software Installation

  1. Open the CiscoVPN2901.dmg disk image and double-click on the Cisco VPN Client.mpkg file.

    Cisco VPN Client

  2. You will be prompted with a warning that reads, "This package contains a program that determines if the software can be installed. Are you sure you want to continue?" Click Continue.
  3. Click Continue on the Introduction screen.
  4. Click Continue on the Software License Agreement (SLA) screen.
  5. Click Agree when prompted if you Agree or Disagree with the SLA.
  6. The next screen should allow you to pick the installation destination. By default the start drive should be selected with a gray circle and a green arrow, click Continue.

    Install Cisco VPN Client

  7. On the next screen click Install (or upgrade if you are updating from an older version).
  8. Once the installation is finished, restart the computer.

Software Updates

None at this time.

Start the Cisco VPN Client

  1. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications and double-click on the VPNClient icon.

    VPNClient icon

  2. On the Connection window, under the Connection Entry, select nihvpn and then click on the Connect button.

    Connection window

  3. The VPN client will connect with the NIH server. A login window displays.
  4. Enter nih\ followed by your Domain Username and then your Password as shown below.

    login window

  5. Click OK.
  6. You should now have access to your NIEHS network resources. If you have problems accessing network resources, please contact your CSP (http://inside-www.niehs.nih.gov/guide/desktop/restricted/staff.htm) for assistance.

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USA.gov Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health
This page URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/orgstructure/policies/intranetaccess.cfm
NIEHS website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Email the Web Manager at webmanager@niehs.nih.gov
Last Reviewed: May 01, 2008