TASC receives many calls about accessing the NIH network from off campus. Several methods of remote access are discussed below, with details on how to obtain the service and additional information. Additional details on the various options can be found on the Web. As always, you are encouraged to call TASC and discuss which option best suits your needs.
Parachute
Parachute allows authorized NIH staff off-campus to logon to the NIH network and to send e-mail, using a high-speed modem and a standard telephone line.
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Standard Modem
You may use standard 33 Kb per second (Kbps) or V.90 56 Kbps modems for your connection. The technology is split-speed with 56 Kbps downstream and 33.6 Kbps upstream. For the general user checking e-mail and exchanging documents, standard modem connectivity is likely to provide sufficient access to the NIH network.
Contact your account sponsor to request a Parachute account.
• ISDN Digital Phone Line
Unlike standard phone lines, ISDN can make a fast, clean connection to the NIH network. The connection speed ranges from 64 Kb to 128 Kb. The user will need 1) to purchase an ISDN terminal adapter or router that will act as a digital modem for connecting to Parachute and 2) to contact the telephone company for ordering installation of a residential ISDN circuit.
Contact your account sponsor to request an ISDN Parachute account. You should ensure that you have your institute or center’s approval before applying for an ISDN account.
Cable Modem
The establishment of new accounts is currently suspended for high-speed cable-modem access to the NIH network through Comcast’s data service (in Montgomery County, Maryland), due to changes Comcast is making in the service. CIT is working with Comcast to find a solution that will allow resumption of new accounts.
DSL Pilot Program
DSL technology can deliver upstream speeds up to 384 Kb (kilobits per second) and downstream speeds up to 1.5 Mb (megabits per second). DSL is limited by distance and is only offered in certain areas throughout the metropolitan Washington D.C. area.
This pilot program is supported by CIT but is not in full production at this time. Furthermore, it is offered through only one company, CapuNet. Be sure you telephone TASC before you sign up with a DSL provider. If you sign up with another DSL provider, your access to certain NIH services will be limited. The agreement with CapuNet ensures the customer will receive a NIH IP address allowing the user to access NIH computing resources.
Interface Online 218 [ April 20, 2001 ]
