ipass FAQs Q: What is ipass? A: The ipass service provides local dialup and wireless internet access in most cities and towns within the USA and many locations throughout the world. Many of these locations have multiple dial numbers from which to choose. If you currently have an internet service provider (ISP), such as a cable modem, DSL broadband, or dialup internet access, you can use the Connectra WebVPN or the VPN client to access the CNP intranet. If you do not currently have internet access or you traveling away from home and the office, you can use the ipassconnect software client to gain access to the internet. The ipassconnect client program will automatically launch the Connectra WebVPN login web page to provide an SSL secure connection to the CNP intranet. Alternatively, you can launch the Centerpoint Energy VPN client software to access provide a network tunnel to the CNP intranet Q: Who should use ipass? A: ipass is ideal for traveling employees and field personnel. People currently connecting to the CNP intranet from outside their local area using the Centerpoint Energy VPN client or the Connectra WebVPN website, users wishing to access the CNP intranet from a location where they cannot access their local Internet Service Provider (ISP) should use ipass. Your manager s cost center will be billed an average of $1.70 per hour when you use the ipass dialin service or $2.30 per hour for wireless access. Use of the VPN client or Connectra WebVPN using your own ISP currently does not incur an access charge. Q: How do I get ipassconnect? When can I start using it? A: Employees of CenterPoint Energy business units may utilize ipass with approval of their manager. New users who have not been authorized for ipass or VPN use must complete and submit a "Regulated - Network User Access Request" form (REL429) available in PowerForms on the intranet. Selecting VPN access will also provide ipass access automatically. Instructions for downloading and installing the ipassconnect software client can be found on the My IT Help Desk web page at https://myithelpdesk.mycenterpointenergy.com or by calling the Client Support Center at 713-207-HELP (4357) (1-888-207-HELP outside the Houston area).
Q: What if the town or location I am attempting to connect from does not have a local access number listed in ipass or the number listed is not connecting? A: Try selecting a different access number from the list generated in the ipassconnect client for the country, state and city selected. If there is no local access number for your location or the numbers listed do not connect successfully, you have the option of using 800 toll free service. ipass charges a rate of $2.50 to $3.00 per hour for this type of access, billed to your manager s cost center in SAP. To get a list of 800 access numbers, press the clear button next to the area code box of the ipassconnect client. Next select the United States in the country box and type 800 in the area code box, then press enter. Q: What is Connectra WebVPN and how can I get it? A: Connectra WebVPN provides web-based access to Outlook and the CNP intranet web site. No software is needed to access Connectra WebVPN. The only requirement is an active internet connection and Internet Explorer. If you do not have access to the internet, you can get access by using the ipassconnect software. Using Internet Explorer, enter the following URL/address, https://employee.centerpointenergy.com At the login screen enter your SAP and/or desktop user name and password. Q: What if I have VPN? A: If you are using VPN or WebVPN to connect to the office from home, you will not need ipass. If you work or travel outside the range of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and wish to access the CenterPoint network, you will need ipass. Q: If I have an ISP (Internet Service Provider), should I use VPN instead of ipass? A: You do not need ipass if you currently have an internet service provider (ISP), such as a cable modem, DSL broadband, or dialup internet access, you can use the VPN software client or the Connectra WebVPN web site to access the CNP intranet. If you do not currently have internet access or you are traveling away from home and the office, you can use the ipassconnect software client to gain access to the internet. The ipassconnect client program will automatically launch the Connectra WebVPN login web page to provide an SSL secure connection to the CNP intranet. Alternatively, you can launch the Centerpoint Energy VPN client software to access provide a network tunnel to the CNP intranet Q: I am a Minnegasco employee; can I use ipass? A: Yes. Minnegasco employees must complete and submit a "Regulated - Network User Access Request" form (REL429) available in PowerForms on the intranet. Selecting VPN access will also provide ipass access automatically.
Q: Can I access the CenterPoint network from any computer using ipass? A: The ipassconnect software is specifically configured for CenterPoint Energy. It can be loaded on your PC or laptop to obtain access to the CenterPoint computer network. Q: Can I use VPN or WebVPN while traveling if I have access to my ISP? A: Yes. Our Virtual Private Network (VPN) software is customized for CenterPoint Energy. The Connectra WebVPN web site can be accessed from any PC or computer which has an active internet connection. The CNP VPN client must be installed on the PC from which you are accessing the network Q: Can home broadband users use VPN without ipass? A: VPN will work by itself over home broadband (cable modem or DSL). Connectra WebVPN web site can be accessed from any PC or computer which has an active internet connection. If you travel, you may need ipassconnect installed. You may be able to use the CNP VPN client or Connectra WebVPN on your laptop to connect to the CNP intranet at some hotels which offer broadband internet and wireless access. Check with the hotel staff to see if they support the Nortel Extranet Access VPN Client and IPSec Passthrough. Our VPN client requires UDP port 500 and protocol 50 be forwarded through the hotel router or firewall. Q: Can you dial-in if you don t have broadband. A: Yes, ipass supports both dial-in and broadband. ipass supports analog (56 Kbps) and ISDN (128 Kbps) as well as limited wireless broadband access at selected wireless hotspots. See the wireless location list provided in the ipassconnect client. Q: Once I dial up, am I protected by a firewall? A: Yes. ipass works within our firewall only to connect to the CenterPoint network. All internet access goes through the CNP corporate firewall while the ipass and VPN connection are active. When the VPN client is not connected, use of a firewall and an updated antivirus program is strongly recommended for your personal computers or laptops. Do not install firewall, antivirus programs or any type of software on CNP provided computers without your manager's approval. Q: Will I have to use a new user ID and password? A: The same user ID and password assigned to you for SAP and/or desktop login will work with ipassconnect.
Q: How do charges work? A: IPass bills CenterPoint once per month based on the userid specified when connecting to the ipass service. Information Technology automatically charges the user s associated cost center as defined in SAP based on the total charge for all calls for that user during the billing period. Q: How much does it cost? A: Average cost is $1.60 to $1.80 per hour, depending on the type of connectivity. Wireless internet access is an average $2.30 per hour. Usage is calculated down to the second. For ipass partnered locations offering wired broadband, ipass charges $0.10 per minute with a maximum of $13.50 per day. Wireless broadband is $0.12 per minute. There is no additional charge for using ipass with home broadband. Q: Do you need the TNT 3270 client? A: Only if you need to connect to the mainframe. ipass and VPN together establish a secure tunnel to the CNP intranet allowing access to SAP, Outlook over the web, and Rumba, if they are installed on your computer. A Rumba license for home use should be approved and purchased by your manager. Q: Can these applications be downloaded from the FTP site? A: There is a CD for SAP, Outlook, ipass and VPN that can be provided by the Help Desk. This CD is currently referred to as the Home CD. Q: Is the Novel client 32 accessible? A: Yes, it will be on the FTP sites. If your userid has not been migrated to Microsoft, you can use the Netware Client 32 software to access your files and printers on the LAN once you have established a VPN connection. Please refer to the document on the FTP site, which will provide step-by-step instructions for doing this. Q: What about shared laptops? Is there an additional set up required? A: No, only one ipass client need be installed per laptop. Authentication is by user and password, so the system can recognize multiple users on a single computing device. Q: Can I use a printer with the client over the network with Netware Client 32? A: Yes, you can connect to shared drives as well as networked printers on the CNP intranet.
Q: Does ipass time out? How soon? A: You can configure time outs based on the amount of time elapsed and what is idle. Center Point s client is set to time out after thirty minutes of inactivity in case you forget you are logged in or fall asleep for example. Q: Can you get connectivity to a broadband server such as Ergot s? They have meeting rooms geared for their broadband. A: If working from Austin in the ERCOT meeting rooms, you should use the VPN software client or Connecta WebVPN. Q: Will ipass work with wireless PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)? A: We currently do not support ipass or VPN on PDA devices. This may change in the future. Q: Will ipass work with Windows XP? A: Yes. Q: What if you have a problem after hours when the Help Desk is closed? A: Most problems can be resolved by referring to the documentation on the FTP site. (ftp://ftp.centerpointenergy.com) or a trouble-shooting guide on the ipass web site: http://ipass.com/support/support_troubleshooting.html. If you experience problems logging in using ipass, Connectra WebVPN or the CNP VPN software client, you can also try these actions. 1) If you have recently installed a firewall program, wireless router or broadband router, check with the vendor to see if they support IPSec Passthrough. Our VPN client requires UDP port 500 and protocol 50 be forwarded through the router or firewall. You may need access to the internal configuration of the router or you may need to upgrade the firmware of the router, check with the router vendor for assistance. 2) If you are receiving an error message while the VPN client is attempting to connect, try uninstalling the VPN client software. Make sure you reboot your computer once the uninstall has completed. Then download and install the latest version of the CNP VPN client (file VPNSetup.exe) from the company s FTP site at ftp://ftp.centerpointenergy.com.
3) If you are experiencing problems getting the ipassconnect client to connect successfully, try selecting a different access number from the list generated in the ipassconnect client for the country, state and city selected. If you are at a hotel or at a different corporate location, you may need to put 9 in front of the selected access number. Last Updated: 04/25/2006