When to use PS RAS Connection Manager

When to use PS RAS Connection Manager

Document number: 55015

Note: The legacy RAS (dial-up networking) and PeopleSoft RAS Connection Manager (also known as PSRC or PSRCM) are in the process of being retired. To standardize dial-up access, the integrated PeopleSoft company is deploying iPass and VPN as the dial-up solution. For more information, see Eureka! document 54040 — iPass Frequently Asked Questions.

There are literally thousands of local numbers available for PeopleSoft employees to use to dial into the PeopleSoft network. PS RAS Connection Manager chooses the best phone number for you to use. All you have to do is enter the phone number of your current location in the Area code and "Access number" fields in PS RAS Connection Manager. It will try to find a local, non-toll number to use. If a local number is not available, PS RAS Connection Manager provides a list of toll-free numbers to choose from. Once you click the Connect button, PS RAS Connection Manager copies the number into your Dial-Up Networking phone book for future use as the "PS Connection" entry. That's why you only need to use PS RAS Connection Manager when you first get the machine and when you change locations. Here's what the entry looks like:

NT4DUN.gif (8121 bytes)

Dial-Up Networking requires you to look through a list of numbers yourself and choose the number to call. With a long list, this task could be impossible. You would have to know which number from the hundreds listed would not generate a toll call. Dial-Up Networking is still the preferred way for you to RAS into the PeopleSoft network so that you can be properly authenticated on the network for such tasks as accessing network drives and changing your network password. Once a number is entered as the "PS Connection" number in the Dial-Up Networking phone book, you can continue to use it as long as you don't change locations (and phone numbers).

So when do you use PS RAS Connection Manager, and when do you use Dial-Up Networking? Here's a chart to help you decide:

When to use PS RAS Connection Manager

When to use Dial-Up Networking

You've never used PS RAS Connection Manager to dial into the PeopleSoft network OR

You changed locations (and phone numbers) since the last time you dialed into the PeopleSoft network.

You have already used PS RAS Connection Manager at least once to dial into the PeopleSoft network AND

You have not changed locations (and phone numbers) since the last time you dialed in.