Frequently Asked Question Regarding File Access
What is VPN?
Why do we need to use VPN at JMU?
All this talk about clients. What is a client?
Where can I get the VPN client for my PC, Macintosh, or Linux workstation?
Why do I have to use the VPN client from home to access files when I don't have to
to access my email or payroll information?
What is CIFS?
I'm a student. Do I need to install the Novell Client on my PC?
I'm a faculty member using my personal computer at home. Do I need to install
the Novell Client on my PC or Mac?
If I'm a staff member using a JMU owned PC from a remote location like my home or from
a conference, do I need to have the Novell Client Installed?
What computers need to have the Novell Client installed?
What is Native File Access?
What is VPN?
- VPN stands for Virtual Private Networking. A VPN is a private network that uses a public network
like the Internet to connect remote users. An example would be you connecting from your home PC
to the JMU network.
Why do we need to use VPN at JMU?
- VPN provides encryption on all communication between your computer and the JMU network. This is done in the
interests of security and safety, decreasing the abilities of a hacker to steal information from you
and/or JMU.
All this talk about clients. What is a client?
- A client, when referring to the VPN Client or the Novell Client, is software that runs on your computer
that allows you to connect to a JMU resource and login securely.
Where can I get the VPN client for my PC, Macintosh, or Linux workstation?
- You can obtain JMU's preconfigured VPN client from the
JMU Download page.
Why do I have to use the VPN client from home to access files when I don't have to access my email or payroll information?
- This was the decision made by JMU's IT management in the interest of security.
What is CIFS?
- CIFS stands for Common Internet File System. It is a file sharing system implemented by Microsoft
in Windows.
I'm a student. Do I need to install the Novell Client on my PC?
- No. You do not need to install the Novell Client. You can access the NetWare File servers
via CIFS Access.
I'm a faculty member using my personal computer at home. Do I need to install the Novell Client on my PC or Mac?
- No. You do not need to install the Novell Client. You can access the NetWare File servers
via CIFS Access from a PC or Native File Access
from a Mac.
If I'm a staff member using a JMU owned PC from a remote location like my home or from a conference, do I need to have the Novell Client Installed?
- The Novell Client should have already been installed your JMU owned PC. If not, you can
obtain it from the
JMU Download page.
What computers need to have the Novell Client installed?
- The Novell Client only needs to be installed on PCs owned by JMU.
What is Native File Access?
- Native File Access (NFA), a Novell product, is a protocol that enables users of computers
running Windows, Macintosh, and Unix operating systems to access files on a NetWare
file server without the need to install a special client software package on the computer. It
incorporates different file protocols, including Apple Filing Protocol for Macintosh (AFP),
Network File System (NFS) and Common Internet File System (CIFS)
In other words, when accessing files on a NetWare file server from a Mac, the server appears to the Mac as if it were a Mac server. Or when accessing it from a Windows PC, it looks like a Windows server.
Accessing Files in the JMUFP Tree