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There are several options available to both students and staff at CWU when it comes to accessing their network files from home or other remote location. Most Mac users access network files and their GroupWise e-mail through the Wildcat Connection and instructions have been provided below on how to do so. Instructions for downloading, installing and using the VPN and GroupWise clients have also been provided although if you want to accessyour network drives you'll either need a program such as VNC or Netware (requires a license). If you would like to explore such options and need assistance, please contact the ITS HelpDesk at x2001.
If you are a staff member and plan on working from home, please review the work from home policy at http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/worklife/telework/telepolicy.html.
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Table of Contents
Wildcat Connection
The Wildcat Connection, also known as the Portal, is a way for any CWU student or staff to access their files and other services from the CWU network.
All you need to access these services is a valid CWU log in account and a computer with a modem, operating system and internet browser. CWU can act as an ISP (Internet Service Provider) by dialing into 963-8000 for students and 963-8002 for staff. For information on connecting to the CWU Resnet, check out http://www.cwu.edu/~its/its_apartment_dialup.html (note: these instructions are for students but can be adapted for staff).
These instructions assume you are already connected to the Internet either through your own ISP or through the CWU dial-up connection (see above).
- Open an Internet browser such as Safari.
- Go to http://www.cwu.edu
- Click on the Wildcat Connection
 logo.
Note: Depending on the browser you are using and its security settings, you may get a message about viewing pages over a secure connection. Just click OK to continue.
The following screen appears.
- Log in with your username and Wildcat password
A message may appear asking if you want your browser to remember the password you just entered. It's a good idea to say “No” at this point since you'll have to change your password every 90 days but your browser won't know you've changed it and will try to use the old one.
- Check the box Don't offer to remember any more passwords and click No to continue.
The following screen appears.
Note: If your Intranet does not display right away, you'll see fields to type in your username and password (same ones used in logging into the portal). You'll only have to do this once.
- Click on any of the left side navigational links to display the contents (or go to a separate page) in the right pane.
Depending on your access, links can include the following:
Intranet: This displays the CWU Intranet as seen in the main GroupWise window for on campus PC users.
Safari:For faculty and staff to access PeopleSoft information. Students will see access to their student information ( Financials, Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Progress, Records, Course Catalog, Enrollment, Schedule of Classes and more).
Employee Link: This opens a separate site where employees can see their payroll items, benefit information, and more.
GroupWise E-mail: This opens a separate site for GroupWise on the web. See the GroupWise Web section of this page for more information.
Blackboard: A course management system with tools that enable instructors to provide their students with course materials, discussion boards, virtual chat, online assessments, and other features/tools for online courses or as supplements to face-to-face courses.
NetStorage: This displays your network drives in the right pane. See the NetStorage section of this page for more information.
Accessing CWU Services from the Internet: Links and instructions for downloading and installing the VPN, GroupWise, Messenger, and file transfer options. The various options will be covered in more detail later on this page.
My Favorite Shortcuts: Customize your Wildcat Connection experience.
Change Password: This changes your Wildcat password.
Portal Help: If you get stuck.
Connection Card Balance: Find out if you have enough money for B&G on Friday.
Sponsor Guest Account: Create temporary accounts for official CWU guests.
Whenever you are logged into a connection such as this, it's a good idea to find the link to log back out. In the case of the Wildcat connection, there is a Logout text link at the top of the page.
- Click on the Logout link.
The original log in screen displays. You can now close your browser window.
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NetStorage
The advantage to Net Storage is anyone with a CWU account can use it to access their network files from anywhere, with any type of computer without having to install anything extra.
- Log onto the Wildcat connection from the CWU Home page.
- Click on the NetStorage link on the left.
Depending on which browser you are using and its security settings, you may get a notice about accepting pop-up windows. Follow whatever instructions the window provides to allow pop-ups from this site. You may also get a security alert to let you know you are about to view a page with secure and non-secure items. You want to view both.
Once you've gone through the various security warnings, your network file access should display in the right-hand pane.
Note: Check with the Portal Help link on the left menu if you run into any problems or call the ITS Help Desk at x2001.
- Click on a plus sign in the middle pane to expand the drive/folder contents.
- Click on a drive/folder in the middle pane to display its contents in the right pane.
To download a file to work with,
- Click next to the file to place a check mark in the box.
- Click on the File menu and select Download.
- Choose your file location and Save.
- Select the drive and folder where you want to upload the file to.
- Click on File, Upload.
- Browse to find the file you want.
- Click the Upload button.
Note: If you want to upload multiple files, click on the plus sign next to the Browse button and another File row will appear.
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GroupWise on the Web
One of the reasons GroupWise was chosen for use at CWU was the ability to access your GroupWise account via the World Wide Web using the browser of your choice.
When you are away from the office, either at home or on the road, you can access your GroupWise e-mail and calendar and it doesn't matter what type of computer you have.
If you are logged into the Wildcat Connection, you'll see a GroupWise Email link on the left navigation pane. You can also go to the site directly at https://gwweb.cwu.edu.
Searching the CWU web site willalso lead you to the log in screen.
- Once at the log in screen, type in your CWU username and Wildcat password.
Most of the functions you can do with the client (local) version of GroupWise can be done here. The speed depends on your internet connection.
- Click on the black drop-down arrow on the New button to create new Mail, Notes, Tasks, etc.
- Click on a mail message in the right hand pane to open and read.
- Click on the Calendar tab to display its contents.
The Day view displays first by default.
Use the black arrows next to the Today button to navigate behind or ahead days, weeks, months (depending on which view you are in is how far you'll move).
Use the view buttons (Day, Week, Month) to change the display.
- Click on the Logout text link to log out of GW Web.
For help on using GroupWise on the web, please visit the GroupWise help pages at: http://www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/GWHelpPages.
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The VPN Client
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can turn your home computer into a work computer. Once the connection is established, you can download applications for running the GroupWise and Messenger clients. You can even purchase third party software that will allow you to connect to the network drivesdirectly. Contact the HelpDesk at x2001 for more information.
- Log onto the Wildcat connection and go to the VPN client download section under Accessing CWU-Net Services.
- Click on the type of Mac you have (OS 10.2-10.3 or OS 10.4 Intel Mac, etc.)
- Read all of the instructions before beginning the installation.
- Click on the Download link for staff and continue with the provided instructions for installing the program.
For assistance with downloading and installing, please contact the ITS Help Desk at x2001.
Tip: Copy the VPN client icon to the Dock for quick access.
Once the program has been installed,
- Click on Go, Applications, VPNClient.
- Click on the Connect button.
The following dialog box appears.
- Enter your full context log in, including a period at the beginning, and your Wildcat password.
Note: The full context log in name gets saved so the next time you log on you won't have to type it in again.
You can minimize the connect window to the Dock to keep it out of your way.
- Bring up the VPN Client window (may be minimized to your Dock).
- Click on the Disconnect button.
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GroupWise and Messenger
Note: You cannot run the GroupWise client without the VPN client. See instructions above for VPN download/install/ and usage instructions.
- Log onto the Wildcat connection and go to the GroupWise & Messenger Client Download section under Accessing CWU-Net Services.
- Choose which type of Mac you have (Intel or Power PC).
- Read all of the instructions provided then click on the GroupWise 7 download link.
After you've installed the program,
- Make sure you are connected to the network via VPN, then open GroupWise either through the Dock icon if you created one or through the Applications menu.
The program will look and run just like it does from a campus computer. Exit the program as you usually do.
Note: The first time you log in, GroupWise may not automatically find the serve. Type in 172.16.20.22 in the Address field of the log in window. See below.
Note: You cannot run Messenger without the VPN client. See instructions above for VPN download/install/ and usage instructions.
- Log onto the Wildcat connection and go to the GroupWise & Messenger Client Download section under Accessing CWU-Net Services.
- Read all of the instructions provided for Mac users, then click on the hyperlink to download GroupWise Messenger.
Once the program has been installed and you are connected through the VPN client,
- Make sure you are connected to the network via VPN, then open GroupWise either through the Dock icon if you created one or through the Applications menu.
The program will look and run just like it does from a campus computer. Exit the program as you usually do.
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Page last updated 05/06/08. Send questions or comments to ITS Training.
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