ITMAS Remote Access - MSD Information Technology

The following information provides instructions on how to set up remote access to ITMAS for users working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Request a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Profile from MSD

All access from your work computer is protected by firewall rules at MSD but this connection is from your home or other location outside the normal work environment therefore we need to provide security as part of the remote access. MSD uses the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client.

So the first step if you have not already been provided with the VPN Client credentials is to email your manager and request they approve the request for you to access ITMAS remotely. The manager will then forward that email to itmas@msd.net.au and we will generate a VPN user for you.

If you already have the VPN credentials please click the following link to access the VPN and download the VPN client; VPN Download This will open in a new tab in your browser.

You will need to enter the VPN credentials you have been provided then click Logon.

The AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client page will be displayed and you need to click the Windows Desktop option in the middle of the page.

Note: The page may try and do an automatic installation, it may take a few seconds for the manual installation link to appear. It may also be called “XP/Vista/7” dependig on your operating system.

Next Windows will ask if you want to run this file, Click Run

This will run the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Setup ==> Click Next

Accept the terms and conditions and ==> Click Next

Ready to Install ==> Click Install

Complete the installation ==> Click Finish

Once the installation is complete you will have a new option in the Start Menu. Click Start and search for Cisco AnyConnect and run the software.

Type the following address into the text field to access the VPN; vpn.msd.net.au and then ==> Click Connect

You will be prompted for your User name and Password – Enter the credentials and then ==> Click OK

The VPN Client will then begin to connect and establish the secure connection.

Please note: You MUST be connected to the Internet to be able to establish the connection.

The VPN should now be connected. In the future you only need to start the Client Software and enter your credentials.

If you have any problems or receive any error messages please call MSD Support on 07 3368 7842.

Confirm Java is Installed and Version 1.8 or Higher

Java needs to be installed on the computer.

To check if Java is installed open a command prompt and type; java -version and press Enter.
(To open the command prompt, click Start and look for Command Prompt, if you do not see it enter Command in the search area or just type Command and the system will search for it)
If Java is installed you will get something like the following displayed;

C:\Users\msddcb.MSD>java -version
java version “1.8.0_241”
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_241-b07)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 25.241-b07, mixed mode, sharing)

If the version is lower than 1.8 you should upgrade Java – use the same instructions as for installing.

Java can be downloaded from this link; Download Java

After downloading double click the downloaded file and follow the on screen instructions.

ITMAS Client Software (iACS – Access Client Solution)

These instructions are for Windows ONLY, if you have something else please contact MSD for assistance.

Please ensure Java is installed (as detailed above) before starting the install.

I suggest you create a new directory on C drive called MSD – the instructions below will use this as the default installation directory.
You can do this from Windows File Explorer, press the Windows button and E to open the explorer or use the Start menu. Right click on Windows (C:) and select New ==> Folder and name it MSD.

You will need to download the client files from this link; Download Client

Select the option to save this file. This will download a zipped (.zip) file named IBMiAccess_MSD-01_2019-12_v1.1.8.3.zip If you are asked where to save the file use the MSD directory you created above.

Once the file download has completed, locate the file and right click and then select to Extract All which will create a directory IBMiAccess_MSD-01_2019-12_v1.1.8.3. You want to put this inside the MSD directory so the folder should be C:\MSD\IBMiAccess_MSD-01_2019-12_v1.1.8.3

Click Start, then right click on the Command Prompt and select run as Administrator. (If the command prompt is not in the list search for command and then right click)
Type the following and press Enter; cd \MSD
Type the following and press Enter;
IBMiAccess_MSD-01_2019-12_v1.1.8.3\Windows_Application\install_acs_32_allusers.js
(Or you could copy and paste the command from here)
Click Open if you receive a security warning.
You may receive an “Open File – Security Warning” if you do Click Run
Note: This Warning window may not pop up but can be identified by a red, blue and green box icon in the icon list at the bottom of the screen, if you see this click on Run.
You may also receive Windows Security Alert from Windows Defender Firewall, please click Allow Access
I had to click Run five times during the testing of the install, this is normal and relates to different parts of the installation.
This will run the pre-configured installation. While the install procedure is running a number of windows will open and close and you will receive a message the installation has completed. There should now be icons on the desktop for Access Client Solutions and ACS Session Manager.
The installation displays a number of windows and some require a response like “Run” or “Accept”. If you see any flashing icons in the task bar at the bottom of the screen click on the icon and if necessary respond to the prompt.
When the install is finally completed a window will be displayed indicating; “IBM i Access Solutions installation has finished. Clock OK.
There will be two new icons on your desktop. Access Client Solutions and ACS Session Manager.
Run the Access Client Solution from the icon on the desktop. You may get a Open File – Security Warning, Click Run.
Click Tools ==> File association.
Tick the box for .hod, .ws and click OK (If there are others already selected this is OK, just checking that the .hod and .ws are selected)
Under Management select the 5250 Session Manager.
There should be one icon in the Configured Sessions, right click on the icon and select Copy to Desktop
Close the session manager using the X in the top right hand corner
You can now start a session running the Itmas icon on the desktop.
Note: The VPN MUST be active for the connection to succeed.

If you have any problems or receive any error messages please call MSD Support on 07 3368 7842.