Connecting Remotely
via the Citrix Access
Gateway (CAG)
Version 2.0
*** The CAG is intended for users with OE equipment only. Users with GFE must still use RESCUE as their VPN solution. ***
All VISN 11 staff currently using their own computer equipment (OE) to access the One VA VPN will gain access to the Citrix Access Gateway through the VISN 11 CAG. Beginning June 30, 2011, you will no longer be able to access VA resources via One VA VPN.
VISN 11 staff with issued Government furnished computers (GFE) must utilize VA RESCUE to access VA resources.
2011
Original document created by Region 3 \\ VISN 7 Veterans Affairs 3/28/2011 Modified for use in Region 3 \\ VISN 11 5/17/2011 CCMR - JULY 2013
Prerequisites
See ‘Supported Operating Systems’ inAppendix Abelow prior to connecting.
Verify TLS 1.0 is enabled in your web browser For Internet Explorer
Open Internet Explorer > Go to Tools > Internet Options > select the Advanced Tab > In the ‘Settings’ box, under the Security section, you should see 'Use TLS 1.0' > verify the option is ‘checked’Add ‘*.va.gov’ to trusted sites (required for Internet Explorer 9) ***
NOTE:
If you are using GFE
(government furnished equipment) this step should be skipped.
Open Internet Explorer.
Click on Tools (Menu bar)
OR
Gear icon (in Internet Explorer 9)
Click on ‘Internet Options’ > click the ‘Security tab’ > select ‘Trusted
Sites’ > click ‘Sites’ >
In ‘Add this website to the zone:’ type ‘*.va.gov’
> select ‘Add’ > select ‘close’ > select ‘OK’
Connecting to the Citrix Access Gateway (CAG):
Typehttps://vareast.vpn.va.govinto your web browser (varnorth, varsouth or varwest will work also but vareast is the preferred link for VISN 11.
Enter yourDomainName\UserName
i.e. vha11\vhaann<……> and < password > select 'Logon' Be sure to include ‘vha11\’ before your login name.
The 1st time you connect, you may be prompted to install the Citrix Client.
If prompted > check 'agree' > select 'Install' (NOTE: this Add-on does not require administrative privileges to run. If you are not prompted to install and this is your first time connecting, you may have to manually install the Citrix plug-in. Manual installation instructions can be found in the ‘Troubleshooting’ section of this document).
"Once the software is installed, the Internet Explorer informational bar may appear at the top. Click on the bar and select Run ActiveX Control"(Note: If your web browser locks up, restart your web browser)
Accessing HSR&D computer resources from CAG
Go to the website: https://vareast.vpn.va.gov/vpn/index.htmland then login to CAG with your VA user name and password (be sure you put vha11\ in front of your VA login name). Once you connect you’ll see a desktop that looks something like this:
Enter your VA user name and password (be sure the bottom box says “VHA11”).
Once connected to you’ll see this desktop where you’ll have access to all the HSR&D Drives (I, W, P, S, Z, etc), as well as your Outlook email.
When you are finished working, click on Start, Logoff. This ends your session—clicking the X at the top of the screen will leave you logged on.
You can also connect to the SAS and Stata servers via the remote desktop software, just enter the correct computer name (vhaannhsrd9 for SAS and vhaannhsrd8 for Stata).
7
Troubleshooting
ERROR 1: “An error occurred while trying to access the requested resource” is displayed when attempting to launch an application.
Resolution 1: Manually download and install the latest Citrix plug-in for your operating system. Manually install the Citrix Online Plug-in:
Go to https://media.vpn.va.gov > in the Left navigation pane, mouse over 'Media' > select 'Citrix Media' > select the plug-in compatible with your Operating System
OR
Got to www.citrix.com/downloads > select Client Center > select your Operating System > download and install the 'Citrix Online plug-in - web'
Error 2: General connection issues.
Resolution 2: (a) See Supported Operating Systems for Citrix Access Gateway in Appendix A (b) Uninstall the current version of the Citrix online plug-in and re-install.
Error 3: You receive “The page cannot be displayed” when attempting to connect to the site (i.e. https://vareast.vpn.va.gov)
Resolution 3: Enable TLS version 1.0. Click here for instructions.
Error 4: Application Launch Fails after Upgrading to Internet Explorer 9
15
Appendix A
Supported Operating Systems for Citrix Access Gateway:
(Pasted from <https://media.vpn.va.gov/ImageStream.aspx?DocID=249> ) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REFERENCE:Citrix Receivers & Plug-ins
To utilize the Citrix Online Plug-in for Windows v12.1
Supported Windows Operating Systems:
Windows 7, 32-bit and 64-bit editions (including Embedded Edition) Windows XP Professional, 32-bit and 64-bit editions
Windows XP Embedded
Windows Vista, 32-bit and 64-bit editions
Windows Server 2008 R1, 32-bit and 64-bit editions (not supported by XenDesktop connections)
Windows Server 2008 R2, 64-bit edition (not supported by XenDesktop connections) Windows Server 2003, 32-bit and 64-bit editions (not supported by XenDesktop
connections) Supported Browsers:
Internet Explorer Version 6.0 through 8.0 (NOTE: As of March 11, 2011 Citrix has not released an official supportability statement for Internet Explorer 9 scheduled for release on March 14, 2011)
Mozilla Firefox Version 1.xthrough 3.x
.NET Framework Requirements (XenDesktop Connections Only) To use the Desktop Viewer, .NET 2.0 Service Pack 1 or later is required. Hardware Requirements:
VGA or SVGA video adapter with color monitor
Windows-compatible sound card for sound support (optional)
For network connections to the server farm, a network interface card (NIC) and the appropriate network transport software
To utilize the Citrix Online Plug-in for Macintosh v11.1 and v11.2
Supported Macintosh Operating Systems:
Mac OS X Version 10.4 (Intel and PowerPC) 32-bit and 64-bit with Safari Browser Mac OS X Version 10.5 (Intel and PowerPC) 32-bit and 64-bit with Safari Browser Mac OS X Version 10.6 (Intel only) 32-bit and 64-bit with Safari Browser
Hardware Requirements
The computer on which you intend to install the plug-in must meet the following minimum requirements:
At least 256 MB of RAM 29 MB of free disk space
16
Appendix B
Creating a Shortcut to the Citrix CAG on your desktop:
Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select “New” Followed by “Shortcut”
The following will appear:
Type in the URL for the CAG gateway you wish to add. (Normally VISN 11 will utilize the ‘EAST’ gateway).
17 Click “Next”. The following will appear:
Type in “Citrix Access Gateway” or, any other name which has meaning for you to describe this shortcut. Click “Finish”.