Network

Get on MIT Network : Wired

To register your computer for MIT's wired network (typically not necessary for laptop computers):

  1. Connect ethernet cable
  2. Open your web browser and visit any page. This will open a DHCP registration page
  3. Click Student
  4. Enter your Kerberos ID and password
  5. Click Register
  6. Wait 10-15 minutes for activation

Get on MIT Network : Wireless

To join MIT's wireless network, select MIT SECURE. When first connecting to MIT SECURE, enter your Kerberos credentials when prompted. Never use MIT Guest, nor MIT as you will not be able to print (among other things).

Get on MIT Network : VPN

To access the MIT network when off campus, you need run MIT's VPN. A number of MIT services are contigent on an MIT VPN connection. It is generally a good practice always to use a VPN as it protects your privacy by encrypting traffic and disguising your IP address.

  1. Install Global Protect VPN
  2. Once installed, and running, click Connect or Disconnect as desired

Get Kerberos Security

To access a number computing resources at MIT, you need install Kerberos security on your laptop.

Accessing AFS

IS&T manage two networked file systems: AFS and DFS. Both of these are accessible from within and outside MIT.

There are two ways of accessing files on AFS: Secure FTP and an AFS client. Though cumbersome, secure FTP (SFTP)  is the surest way of connecting. The AFS client provides seamless AFS integration with the Finder (Macintosh) and Explorer (Windows). The AFS client can be a bit touchy at times, particularly on Windows and when off campus. If interested in using the AFS client, first install the FTP client then visit cron for help with the AFS client.

FTP Client

Use SFTP or SSH2 protocol (if you're given a choice), and connect to server ftp.dialup.mit.edu. Enter your Kerberos username and password in the appropriate fields. Some clients won't have a password field, but will ask when you connect.

  • Macintosh:
    1. Download Cyberduck from here: cyberduck.io
    2. From the Cyberduck's Bookmark menu, select New Bookmark. Then fill out the information as shown:

    3. Double-click the bookmark just created. Once connected, Cyberduck will display the contents of your Athena home directory. Navigate to the directory containing the files you wish to access by clicking reveal arrow or double-clicking folder name. Select file or folder you wish edit and drag from Cyberduck window to your Desktop. Make edits to copy on Desktop. Once done, drag edited file from Desktop to Cyberduck window
  • Windows: SecureFX

Accessing DFS

Your 'H:' drive under WinAthena can be accessed from any public Windows or Macintosh computer. It can also be accessed from a Windows or Macintosh personal computer.

Macintosh

  1. If you are off campus, you must first start a VPN connection using Global Protect VPN
  2. From the Go menu, select Connect to Server...
  3. Enter: smb://win.mit.edu/dfs/profiles/<your_kerberos_first_letter>/<your_kerberos>
    e.g. smb://win.mit.edu/dfs/profiles/u/unclejoe , then click Connect

Windows

  1. If you are off campus, you must first start a VPN connection using Global Protect VPN
  2. In the Start menu, right-click on Computer and select Map Network Drive
  3. Choose a drive letter (H: is convenient because it will match the public system configuration) and enter a folder name:
    \\win.mit.edu\dfs\profiles\<your_kerberos_first_letter>\<your_kerberos>
    e.g. \\win.mit.edu\dfs\profiles\u\unclejoe
  4. Check Reconnect at logon if you'd like this drive to be available every time you boot. Click Finish
  5. When prompted (after some minutes), enter your username in the form 'username@mit.edu' and your Athena password. The 'Remember my credentials' checkbox should be checked

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