Hopkins has long had a VPN (virtual private network) system in place for access to the Hopkins internet from a computer or mobile device, even when the device in question is displaced from the immediate Hopkins campuses. A user could download either an Apple or and Android app from the appropriate store, and through use of this app could access the internal Hopkins network. The name of this app is Juniper Junos Pulse. If you've never heard of it before, you are not alone. Soon everyone on campus is going to know of JHU Pulse, so consider yourself one of the most up-to-date people at Hopkins for reading this blog post!
Some of you may have noticed a small notice on the My.JHU.edu dashboard that looks like this:
I first saw this a couple of days ago, so it is a recent development on the Johns Hopkins campus. Let's explore a bit deeper. Clicking on the link it offers take you to a spartan page with minimal information about the new system. The home page of this gives you the option to connect now, assuming that you've already downloaded the new software that's required. If you're partial to the old VPN system (JHUConnect), you are able to access the legacy item through a link at the bottom.
At the top is a link to the standard Acceptable Use Policies, also accessible on the IT@JH homepage. In fact, that's where this new website will redirect you. Another link native to the JHU Pulse page is a list of all the systems with which the new Pulse will be compatible. It includes most OS's and browsers, but if you see something listed below, Pulse is incompatible:
Anyway, clicking the last link on the header of the page will take you to a page that has more links to PDF instructions on how to install the software needed for JHU Pulse on your computer, whatever your operating system is. The pictures displayed in these manuals are from before the summer, which is evident from the login portal screen shot used. This just shows how long this project has been underway, so it's exciting to see it finally come to light!
The installation is very similar to any other installation you've ever done, only this one may ask you to also install something called Juniper ActiveX Control. Juniper is the company that made these products, and the ActiveX Control will allow the VPN to communicate with the interface on your computer. It's critical that this is installed along with the other software or the VPN connection will not stick!
Finally, the page will automatically redirect you to the installation center for the JHU Pulse software. Jump through the installation hoops one more time and then you're done. Congratulations! You are now able to access all of the Hopkins on-site internet resources, including library searches, virtual textbooks, and cloud software from the comfort of your apartment or your distant home, wherever that could be!
JHU Pulse will go into full effect on November 14, after which it is unclear if JHUConnect will be completely removed from the JHU system. I've never had much success with JHUConnect; it was clunky and I could never figure out if I was truly connected or not. This new system promises to be more streamlined and user-intuitive, so I for one am very much looking forward to it. I have to admit: it will be nice to be able to access Web of Science from home over Thanksgiving Break!
That's it from the TechBlog for this week. As always, good luck on exams and leave your comments in the space below.
Some of you may have noticed a small notice on the My.JHU.edu dashboard that looks like this:
 |
| You may have seen this before, but let's explore what it means. |
At the top is a link to the standard Acceptable Use Policies, also accessible on the IT@JH homepage. In fact, that's where this new website will redirect you. Another link native to the JHU Pulse page is a list of all the systems with which the new Pulse will be compatible. It includes most OS's and browsers, but if you see something listed below, Pulse is incompatible:
- Windows 8.1 OS
- OSX Mavericks
- Windows Phone
- Windows XPe (although who uses XP now that Microsoft is officially shutting down tech support for that product?)
- Chrome
- Internet Explorer 64-bit
- Blackberry
- Linux (Ubuntu 9.10, 10.x, 11.x and 12.04 LTS, OpenSUSe 10.x, 11.x and 12.1, Red Hat Enterprise 5)
- Solaris 10 32-bit (note: 64-bit is supported)
Anyway, clicking the last link on the header of the page will take you to a page that has more links to PDF instructions on how to install the software needed for JHU Pulse on your computer, whatever your operating system is. The pictures displayed in these manuals are from before the summer, which is evident from the login portal screen shot used. This just shows how long this project has been underway, so it's exciting to see it finally come to light!
The installation is very similar to any other installation you've ever done, only this one may ask you to also install something called Juniper ActiveX Control. Juniper is the company that made these products, and the ActiveX Control will allow the VPN to communicate with the interface on your computer. It's critical that this is installed along with the other software or the VPN connection will not stick!
Finally, the page will automatically redirect you to the installation center for the JHU Pulse software. Jump through the installation hoops one more time and then you're done. Congratulations! You are now able to access all of the Hopkins on-site internet resources, including library searches, virtual textbooks, and cloud software from the comfort of your apartment or your distant home, wherever that could be!
JHU Pulse will go into full effect on November 14, after which it is unclear if JHUConnect will be completely removed from the JHU system. I've never had much success with JHUConnect; it was clunky and I could never figure out if I was truly connected or not. This new system promises to be more streamlined and user-intuitive, so I for one am very much looking forward to it. I have to admit: it will be nice to be able to access Web of Science from home over Thanksgiving Break!
That's it from the TechBlog for this week. As always, good luck on exams and leave your comments in the space below.
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