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MDS: Diagnosing modem problems

What is needed for a modem account to work?

 For a user to be able to use the Monash modems, they need a valid and current entry in CRUX, including:
  • an AuthCate account
  • a MODEM or MODEMEXT account

The username and crux details must be matched to the user's entry in the Monash Directory Service.

What do the modems actually look for?

When a user logs in to a Monash modem, the modem looks for the user's username in the Monash Directory Service (MDS) and makes sure that the user's password is correct. It then checks to see if the user has access to the modem. In particular, the user must have one of the following attributes in their MDS entry:
  • monashcruxhost: modem
    - for access to internal modems.

  • monashcruxhost: modemext
    - for access to external modems.

If the user's MDS entry does not contain the attribute that is relevant for the modem that they dialled into, they will get a message similar to this:

This user is not allowed to use Ascend1

Diagnosing and fixing problems

If a user is unable to access the modems, please check the following:
  • Does the user have a current entry in CRUX? Check the user's details in CRUX. Make sure that the user's ID number is not listed as "NOT CURRENT" and that the account is not pending suspension. Contact servicedesk.its.monash.edu.au if you need help with fixing either problem.

  • Does the user have access to the modem? The user must have the relevant modem or modemext account allocated to them in CRUX.

  • Check the user's details in the Monash Directory Service (MDS). Use the MDS tool to view the user's MDS entry. Make sure that the user's uid is the same as their CRUX username. If the uid is not the same as the user's CRUX username, then the user does not have an authcate account. Contact the MMS Support Team if you are unable to create the authcate account.

    Check the monashcruxhost section to make sure that the CRUX host details have been matched to the user's MDS entry. If the details have not been matched, make sure that the user's ID number in CRUX is the same as their ID number in the MDS. The MDS Tool lists the user's ID number in the employeenumber section. Details in CRUX are matched to MDS entries overnight, and hourly during normal working hours. If the user's crux details have not been matched to their MDS entry, please contact the MMS Support Team.