How to Move Files Between Your Local PC and Your CISER Home Directory Using the CISER VPN

QUICK GUIDE:

• The most secure way to move files between your local PC and your CISER home directory:
  • Obtain and Install the CISER VPN client
  • Start the CISER VPN client
  • Map the CISER Research file server to your local desktop
  • Copy and paste (or drag and drop) files from your local disk to the mapped drive, or vice versa.
    
• There are at least two other methods for transferring files to and from the CISER file server, described in Section C5 of this document.
• FTP to the CISER Research nodes is not allowed.

Details:

ABOUT THE CISER RESEARCH VPN (Virtual Private Network):

• CISER distributes a preconfigured version of a CISCO VPN client for Windows users who wish to map the CISER file server to their local desktop.  
  • To obtain the CISER Research VPN client:
    1. You must have a cornell userid and password to be able to download the installation file.
    2. Click one of the following buttons to proceed with the download.  
       [TIP: In the download window, choose "Desktop" for the download location to easily find the file later for installation.]
  • To install / run / troubleshoot the CISER Research VPN client see instructions below.
  • please note: This is the only VPN client that is currently supported by CISER.  At present we do not have a pre-configured VPN client for Mac users.  Mac users may, however, use Alternate Method A for moving files, which involves sharing your local disk with an CISER Research node via Remote Desktop.  

FIRST TIME INSTALLATION OF THE VPN CLIENT ON YOUR LOCAL PC:

NOTE: You must have Windows 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista to be able to use the CISER VPN Client.

1. Copy or download the CISER_Research_VPN.exe file to your dekstop.
   • If you receive it in an email attachment, RIGHT-click on it and save the attachment to your desktop. Do NOT attempt to install it by left-clicking or double-clicking on the attachment in your email.
2. Close all other running applications and double click on the CISER_Research_VPN.exe file on your desktop. We highly recommend that you use the default settings during the installation.
3. After the installation is completed, you will be prompted to restart your computer. You must restart your computer before running the VPN Client.
4. Once you have successfully completed the 3 previous steps of these instructions, you may delete the CISER_Research_VPN.exe file from your desktop, and also the C:\CISER_VPN folder, since these are all installation files that will no longer be needed.

TO RUN THE CISER RESEARCH VPN CLIENT for Windows:

IMPORTANT:   Prior to using the VPN for the first time you must log on to one of the CISER Research nodes at least once (without the VPN) to authenticate your password.

• On your local PC: Go to Start --> Programs -->  CISER VPN Client --> VPN Client 
  • Optional: Right click and choose “send to…desktop” to create a shortcut icon on your desktop.
  1. Start the VPN Client (click on the icon).
  2. Highlight the default “vpn” connection and choose “Connect".

     

  3. Enter your userid (preceded by the domain name) and password for the CISER Research

     

• After selecting “OK” the window will disappear and a small icon showing a closed yellow padlock should show up somewhere on your taskbar.  This is how you’ll know the VPN is running.
• After the VPN is started it will run in the background and you can connect to the nodes via Internet Explorer or Remote Desktop as usual.
• Note:   If you have SideCar running when you start and stop the VPN client, your Kerberos ticket may become disconnected and you may need to log back on.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

• ** Re-installation**  of the CISER VPN Client on your local PC
  1. Use the Windows add/remove to remove the current CISCO VPN program (Start --> Control Panel --> Add/Remove programs)
     • but hold off on the restart!
     [note: If you're trying to remove a newer version, it may be listed as CISER VPN instead of CISCO VPN]
  2. Delete all the contents of the "C:\Program Files\CISCO System\VPN Client" folder (you can leave the folder, but be sure it is empty).
  3. Then restart your PC.
  4. Follow the instructions under First Time Installation of the VPN Client on Your Local PC listed above in this document.

MAPPING YOUR CISER HOME DIRECTORY TO YOUR LOCAL PC:

• This mapping  is required if you wish to transfer files between the CISER Research system to your local PC.  You must have Windows 2000, XP, 2003 or Vista to do this:
  • First be sure you have the CISER Research VPN running.
  • On your local PC, right click on either "My Computer" or "My Network Places".
  • Select "Map Network Drive" to open the window shown below:

• In the "Drive" box choose any unused drive letter.  We have chosen "Z" for this example.
• In the "Folder" box type this address:  \\ciserrsch.cornell.edu\rschdfs\ (new address as of 6/27/2007!)
• Checking "Reconnect at Logon" is optional.   In either case you will be required to enter your password when connecting to CISER Research.
• Click on the link under "Connect using a different user name", enter your userid for the CISER Research nodes preceeded by the domain name as shown below.  Enter your password and select "OK", click on "Finish".

• NOTE: Be sure to disconnect mapped drives before changing your password for CISER Research.  The drive may be re-mapped after you have successfully changed your password.  
  • Failure to do this can generate temporary account lockouts later.  In that case do the following:
    • Disconnect the locally  mapped drive.
    1. Right click on the "My Network Places" icon.
    2. Select "Map Network Drive".
    3. Right click on the icon for the mapped drive and say "disconnect".
    • Wait 1/2 hour, and then re-map with your new password.
      
• The newly mapped drive will now appear in the "My Computer" window on your local desktop.   To connect to that drive just double click on the icon for the mapped drive.  Then select your home directory and create shortcuts on your desktop if you wish.

• TIPS:

  • The files will be accessible the same as those on any other drive on your PC.   You can edit, move, copy, and print files from the mapped drive to your desktop without actually  logging on to any of the CISER Research nodes.
  • Keep in mind, though, that if you attempt to open (run) a program file (such as a sas program) located on the mapped drive from your own desktop, Windows will open (or attempt to open) that application on your desktop.  

CREATING CUSTOM APPLICATION STARTUP  ICONS ON THE CISER Research NODES (optional):

• To create a desktop icon for an application you can go to "Start --> Programs --> <select the application> --> right click --> Send to --> Desktop".  Then you may rename the desktop startup icon as you choose.  To modify the properties of the startup icon, right click on that icon and enter application startup options in the "target :" window.