Running Argos via VPN client

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These instructions will show you how to run Argos reports from a home PC or laptop. Argos is not a web based program. It

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Enter ‘vpn.nsuok.edu’ in the web address area of your browser.

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Argos is installed on NSU’s J: drive which houses several local area network software programs. Argos is not a web based program, therefore we can not run it from a web based VPN connection. The solution is to use a client based connection to access NSU’s VPN. Once this connection is established, we will map network drives just as if we were on campus.

The first of three components to download and install is the VPN client. It is called Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Once the VPN home screen is displayed, click the AnyConnect button on the left of the screen.

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Click the Start AnyConnect link in the center of the screen. Disclaimer: The instructions are generic Cisco instructions and

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During the installations, Cisco AnyConnect will determine if your home PC or laptop needs and auxiliary programs or files for AnyConnect to successfully install. During our installation, we are asked permission to allow idJavaSun to run. You may or may not see this particular screen during your installation.

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These progress windows are typical of what you will see during the Cisco AnyConnect client installation.

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Once the installation is complete, Cisco AnyConnect tries to make a connection. Here we see that a connection we established.

We now have two connections to NSU’s VPN. The web based connection and now the client based connection. The VPN usually does not allow these two types of connections to exist simultaneously.

Before we move on, click the Logout button in the top right of the screen.

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We are now logged off of the web based VPN. Close your browser by clicking the X in the top right of the screen.

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We need to disconnect our client based VPN connection. Cisco AnyConnect displays an icon when you are connected to NSU’s VPN. This icon is probably hidden. Click the Notification chevron in the bottom right on the Taskbar. This will display hidden icons.

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Click the Cisco AnyConnect icon. This will display the dialog box above. Click the Disconnect button.

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The second of three components we need to download, is the map program. This will allow us to map drives and access files and programs from the local area network on-campus when using Cisco AnyConnect. Specifically we are interested in running Argos reports.

Re-establish a web VPN connection by using a web browser. We are using Firefox again. Enter ‘vpn.nsuok.edu’ as the URL or web address. Enter your NSU credentials again, and click Login.

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Click the Optional Software link.

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Your NSU credentials are required again. Click Login.

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Click Mapping Utility link to download a program called map.exe . It will save to the Downloads folder.

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Depending on your internet browser, you should see a similar message window. If necessary, click Save File. The map program should save to the Downloads folder.

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Close any open dialogue windows. Close the internet browser window also. This will terminate your web based VPN

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Now we want to move the map program to the Desktop for ease of use. Click the Windows Explorer icon on the Taskbar.

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Click the Downloads folder on the left panel.

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Your folder will certainly contain various other files than our example, but you should still see the map program. Drag the map program to the Desktop icon in the left pane.

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Your desktop should show the map program icon.

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Now to download the third component. We want to copy the Argos icon to our Desktop.

The Argos icon is on the J: drive of NSU’s local area network. To copy it, we will make a client connection to NSU’s VPN using Cisco AnyConnect. Then we will run the map program to map our network drives. And lastly we will copy the Argos icon from the J: drive to our Desktop.

To start the third portion, we click Start and look for the Cisco AnyConnect icon which may be in the list of recently used

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If we have to click All Programs, a list appears showing installed programs on our home PC or laptop. Click Cisco

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Click the Connect button.

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Enter your NSU credentials when prompted. Click OK.

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You should see a Cisco VPN connection window in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. This indicates you have a successful connection the NSU’s VPN.

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Double click the map program icon on the Desktop. If you are prompted with a window above, click the Run button.

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Enter your NSU credentials and click the Map Drive button.

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Windows Explorer should open, showing you the mapped drives. Click on the employee_apps J: drive to display the

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Double click the _Employee Software_ folder on the top of the right pane.

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Drag the Argos icon from the right pane to the Desktop icon in the left pane.

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Close the Windows Explorer window and your Desktop should show the map and Argos icons.

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Double click the Argos icon. The programs will start after a few moments. Click Login in the top left.

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Enter your NSU credentials and click Login.

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The initial reports window displays. Click the pluses next to the Data Blocks to show you the reports to which you have

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Click the Logout button in the top left when you have finished running the desired reports.

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Disconnect the mapped drives. Start the map program again by double clicking the map icon.

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Click the Run button if asked.

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You do not have to enter your NSU credentials to unmap the drives. Click Disconnect. Close the map window by clicking the X in the top right.

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Now we need to disconnect from the VPN. Click on the Notifications icon in the Taskbar. Next, click the Cisco AnyConnect

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Click the Disconnect button.

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Done.