The Pennsylvania State University - Administrative Information Services, a unit of Information Technology Services

Net-Pass & the Net-Pass Activity Table

What is Net-Pass?

Net-Pass is a multi-session manager that allows users to have multiple applications active at the same time. With Net-Pass, you are able to log in to the AIS system and move from one application (i.e., ACOM, BCOM, CCOM, DCOM) to another through the initial logon to Net-Pass. You do not have to logon to each application independently. A Second Factor Authentication Token is required to gain access to Net-Pass.

Using Net-Pass eliminates the need of entering your user ID and password each time for each application. At the initial logon, Net-Pass receives your user ID and password and sends it to the selected application.

All AIS applications must be defined to the Net-Pass Activity Table the first time a user logs into Net-Pass. All of the information located on the Net-Pass Activity Table can be updated or modified at any time.

Requesting a New Second Factor Authentication Token

To request a new Second Factor Authentication Token, please refer to the information on the Second Factor Authentication Token page.

Tips for Using Net-Pass for New Users

Automatic Logoffs - After 30 minutes of inactivity, a security screen will appear notifying you to enter your password to reconnect to Net-Pass. After 90 minutes of inactivity, Net-Pass will automatically log off all active applications and return to the logon screen where you'll be required to log on to Net-Pass again.

Default Settings - Default settings are settings that have been predefined in the Net-Pass Activity Table. These settings can be changed by the user if they are not to their liking. A typical example would be the default settings that are indicated at the Level ID field. These have been predefined as 01 - 02 - 03 - 04 etc....and many users are more familiar with using PF keys to perform various functions. When changing default settings, it is recommended that there are no active applications and that upon completing the changes, the SAVEPROF command is used.

How to Logon to AIS

Log-on Screen

Note: New AIS users are assigned a "temporary" password by the Security Office when they initially receive access to the system. The first time the new user logs into AIS, this temporary password will be keyed into the PASSWORD field.

At the logon screen, you will need to key in:

  1. The User ID is assigned by the AIS Security Office and is your User Identification access code for all AIS applications.
  2. The Password is a 6-to-8 digit code used as an additional level of system security for AIS applications.
  3. The New Password should be left blank.
  4. The Application field should also be left blank.

Press ENTER.

Enter PRN Screen

  1. Key in the six digit PRN number from the Second Factor Authentication Token. Users should be aware that this PRN number changes every 60-seconds on the SecurID token.

Press ENTER.

Note: If you are required to change your password, then you will see the following screen after keying in your PRN number:

Change Password Screen

  1. Enter a new password that is 6-to-8 digits long; TAB to the next line on the screen.
  2. Enter the SAME new password again.

Press ENTER to continue.

What is the Net-Pass Activity Table?

The Net-Pass Activity Table is an application menu defined by the user to provide one-time logon for multiple applications. It is from this that applications are started, managed, and monitored. It is the responsibility of the user to define only those applications that they are authorized to use in their Net-Pass Activity Table.

The bottom section of the Net-Pass Activity Table identifies the functions used for controlling and manipulating your Net-Pass session. The Suspend and Jump keys are used specifically for navigating between applications and the Net-Pass Activity Table.

Bottom of Net-Pass Activity Table

  1. The PASS character is a special character recognized by Net-Pass and is used in conjunction with the Suspend, Jump, Printer, and Level Id function keys. When using any of these combination key commands within a mainframe application, it is important that the position of the cursor is in the acceptable "home" position. If it is not, then the command will not work. To verify the correct cursor position within an application, press the HOME key on your keyboard, enter the PASS character and corresponding key for the action/function that you want to do (suspend the session, jump to another session or back to the Activity Table, or do a Net-Pass screen print).

    The default character is the # but can be changed to another special character of your choice. If you decide to change the PASS character to another special character, then you need to be sure that the new character selected is not commonly used in any of your applications thus avoiding problems.
  2. The Suspend key is used in combination with the PASS character. This key suspends the session you are currently in and returns you to the Net-Pass Activity Table. Meanwhile, the suspended session remains active while another activity can be selected for use.

    The default key for the Suspend key is the PF12 key. You may change this to another PF key if you choose.
  3. The Jump key is also used in conjunction with the PASS character. This key moves the user from one active application session to another without returning you to the Net-Pass Activity Table. The application sessions are accessed in the priority order of their Level Id (i.e.: 01 - first, 02 - second, 03 - third, etc.).

    The PASS character, along with the Jump key, must be used within the first input field of the application. If you are unsure of what this field may be, then press the HOME key.

    The system default for the Jump key is the PA2 key. You can leave this as it is or change it to a program function key (PF key) of your choice.

    Note: Many keyboards do not have PA keys listed; therefore, this will have to be changed to a (PF) function key.
  4. The input area for the NET-PASS Command field is located directly below the words "NET-PASS Command." To position your cursor correctly within this area, you should use the TAB key. Net-Pass commands are issued from this area. See the Net-Pass Commands section for additional information on Net-Pass commands.
  5. The AIS Support Center is the contact for help with any of the AIS applications, including Net-Pass.
  6. The "Max. Sess." field indicates the maximum number of active application sessions (05) that Net-Pass is able to process at one time. This is a system field and cannot be modified by the user.
  7. The system default assigned for the Printer function key is PF24, which is now a deactivated feature.
What AIS applications should I define to my Net-Pass Activity Table?

As a new Net-Pass user, you are required to set up and define your own Net-Pass Activity Table with the AIS application information. Before doing this, you should know exactly which applications you will need to define. If you are unsure which applications you are authorized to use, you should contact the Access Security Representative (ASR) assigned to your department or college.

Before setting up or making changes to the Net-Pass Activity Table, make sure you are not logged on to any application (i.e.: ACOM, BCOM, ROSCOE, etc.).

Setting Up and Changing the Net-Pass Activity Table

Using the TAB key on your keyboard (using this key places the cursor in the correct field position), tab to the first Level ID field: 01. You can leave the Level ID as a number or it can be changed to a PF key. To change the number to a PF key, simply key over the number 01 with PF01. The number of applications that you have access to determines how many Level ID's you'll need to define.

After keying in the Level ID, use the TAB key to move to the Application Name field and key in the name of the application (i.e.: ACOM, BCOM, CCOM, DCOM, ROSCOE, etc.). Continue to define all of your applications to Level IDs.

Once you have keyed in all the Level ID and Application Name information, use the TAB key to move the cursor to the Net-Pass Command field at the lower left corner of the Net-Pass Activity Table and press ENTER.

After pressing ENTER, an Application Description will automatically appear on the screen for each Application Name. If a description does not appear, it is possible that you did not enter the correct Application Name. You should verify the correct Application Name and re-enter the correct name.

System defaults have been previously defined for the PASS character, Suspend key, Jump key and Printer field. Any of these default values may be changed by keying over the default value, moving the cursor to the Net-Pass Command field and then pressing ENTER.

Note: After all of the information has either been added or changed on your Net-Pass Activity Table, you will need to save and update this information.

Net-Pass Activity Table Screen

To do this, use the TAB key to move the cursor to the Net-Pass Command field, key in the SAVEPROF command and press ENTER.

Remember: After making a change to any Net-Pass Activity Table field, always move the cursor to the Net-Pass Command field and press ENTER before issuing the SAVEPROF command.

How to Setup the Function Keys in Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X

Please refer to the Word document that describes how to setup the functions keys on Mac OS 9 and OS X.

Net-Pass Commands

Net-Pass commands are commands that are keyed and entered by the user within their Net-Pass Activity Table to perform a specific function. These commands are entered beneath the "Net-Pass Command:" line in the lower left corner of the screen.

SAVEPROF
Anytime a change, addition or deletion is made to the Net-Pass Activity Table it must be saved and updated by entering this command. Before invoking the SAVEPROF command it is recommended that the user log off all applications so that there are no active sessions. Upon entering this command you will see a confirmation message appear at the top of your screen stating that all changes have been successfully saved.

It is important that after making any change the ENTER key is pressed and then ENTER must be pressed again after keying the SAVEPROF command.

DISC
The system requires you to enter this command if you are already logged into a previous Net-Pass session. By entering this command you are logging off or disconnecting from a current session request and will be permitted to resume Net-Pass access. The system prompts the user to enter this command by way of a system broadcast at the top of the screen.

Note: When requested to invoke the DISC command, the user must also key in their password before pressing ENTER.

LOGOFF
Keying and entering the LOGOFF command will end the user's Net-Pass session. The command OFF will do the same thing. It is recommended that ALL active application sessions are logged off before issuing this command, providing a clean system logoff.

LOCK
The LOCK command provides a safeguard and enables the user to lock their system to prevent unauthorized use. It will remain locked until your password is entered. This command should be used if you leave your workstation/system unattended for any length of time. It is recommended that if you are going away from your machine for an extended period of time (over 20 minutes), you should log off all applications and Net-Pass as the system will also "lock" a user's system after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Once the user enters their password and presses ENTER, the user will be returned to their previous Net-Pass session.

HELP
This command invokes the Net-Pass On-line Help Facility. This is a list of topics each with an assigned key function for navigation.

Tutorials

Setting Up the Jump Key

File Size: 2.52 MB

Last Updated: 12/11/2003

Setting Up the Pass Character and Suspend Key

File Size: 3.79 MB

Last Updated: 12/11/2003

Setting Up the Net-Pass Activity Table

File Size: 5.16 MB

Last Updated: 12/11/2003

Content Questions: AIS Support | Support Questions: AIS Support