ARA Wireless Portal: Access Your Research Environment
Quick Summary
- Wireless research platform access
- Resource reservation, management
- Secure experiment execution
The ARA Portal, also known as the AraPortal, is the graphical user interface for the ARA Wireless Living Lab. This innovative platform provides a cloud-based environment rich with wireless and computing resources, specifically designed to support advanced wireless research for agricultural and rural communities. Researchers utilize this digital portal to delve into the development of wireless technologies that aim to deliver high-capacity and affordable connectivity. It’s an essential tool for exploring the sophisticated ARA infrastructure and executing experimental workflows. As the primary mode of access, the web-portal empowers users to log into their ARA environment, discover available resources, reserve them for specific durations, and conduct various experiments. Future interfaces, such as Command Line Interface (CLI) and Jupyter Notebook, are under development, but the portal currently offers comprehensive management of compute resource reservations, container deployment, network configurations, and user identity.
Preparing for Your ARA Environment Access
- You need a registered user account with the ARA platform. Access is typically granted via institutional email IDs through Globus Auth or using Keystone credentials (username and password).
- For the best experience, use a modern web browser such as Google Chrome (or any Chromium-based browser) or Mozilla Firefox to access the ARA Portal.
Accessing Your ARA Research Workspace
- Navigate to the official ARA Portal login page at https://dashboard.ara.internet2.edu/.
- On the login screen, you will find two primary authentication options: Globus Auth Single Sign-on or Keystone Credentials.
- If using Globus Auth, select your institution from the dropdown list. You may also have options to sign in with Google or an ORCID ID if your organization isn't listed.
- If using Keystone Credentials, enter your Username and Password in the designated fields, and select your Domain if prompted.
- Click the Sign In button to access your research workspace.
Exploring Capabilities for Wireless Experiments
- Dashboard Access: A central hub with menus for managing all aspects of your research.
- Compute Resource Reservations: Easily reserve wireless and computing resources for your experiments.
- Container Management: Create, launch, execute commands within, and stop containers on reserved resources.
- Network Management: Configure virtual networks for your experiments, allowing containers to communicate.
- User Identity Management: Tools for overseeing your user profile and permissions within the ARA environment.
- Resource Exploration: Browse and understand the diverse range of hardware and software resources available on the platform.
Regaining Access to Your Research Platform
⚠️ Forgotten Login Details
Cause: You cannot recall your username, password, or institutional login details.
Solution: If you have forgotten your password or are experiencing issues with your Keystone Credentials, contact your administrator. For problems related to Globus Auth or institutional logins, consult your institution's IT support or the Globus Auth support resources. For any unresolved login issues or technical difficulties within the ARA Portal, email [email protected] and CC [email protected] to generate a support ticket. We understand that being locked out can be frustrating, and the support team is ready to assist you quickly.
⚠️ Portal Display or Functionality Problems
Cause: The ARA Portal is not displaying correctly or features are not working as expected.
Solution: Ensure you are using a recommended web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try accessing the portal in an incognito/private browsing window. If problems persist, this could indicate a technical issue. Please report it to [email protected] with a detailed description of the problem.
Ensuring Secure Interactions with ARA Resources
- 🔒 Always use strong, unique passwords for your Keystone Credentials if applicable, and consider enabling multi-factor authentication if your institution supports it through Globus Auth.
- 🔒 Log out of the ARA Portal after each session, especially when using shared or public computers, to protect your research data and access privileges.
- 🔒 Be vigilant about phishing attempts; always verify that you are on the legitimate https://dashboard.ara.internet2.edu/ URL before entering your login information.
- 🔒 Regularly review your account activity for any suspicious behavior and report it immediately to [email protected].
🎧 Official Support & Help Center
For technical issues or bug reports, email [email protected] and CC [email protected]. For general discussions or questions, join the ara-users Google group.
Quick Answers for ARA Platform Users
Q: What is the ARA Portal used for?
The ARA Portal is the web-based graphical interface for the ARA Wireless Living Lab, a cloud platform designed for researchers to conduct advanced wireless experiments. It allows users to explore, reserve, and manage wireless and computing resources.
Q: How do I log in to the ARA Portal?
You can log in using either Globus Auth Single Sign-on with your institutional email ID or Keystone Credentials (username and password). The login page can be found at https://dashboard.ara.internet2.edu/.
Q: What kind of resources can I access through the ARA Portal?
The ARA Portal provides access to various resources including compute resource reservations, container management functionalities, network configuration options, and tools for user identity management, all within the ARA environment.
Q: Which web browsers are best for the ARA Portal?
For an optimal experience with the ARA Portal, it is recommended to use Google Chrome (or any Chromium-based browser) or Mozilla Firefox.
Q: How do I get help if I have issues with the ARA Portal?
For general questions or discussions, you can join the ara-users Google group. For reporting bugs or technical failures, please email [email protected] and CC [email protected] to create a support ticket.
Wrap Up
The ARA Portal stands as a crucial gateway to cutting-edge wireless research, enabling scientists and innovators to harness a powerful cloud platform for their experiments. By providing robust tools for resource management, secure authentication through systems like Globus Auth, and detailed control over experimental environments, the portal supports the advancement of wireless technologies for the benefit of rural and agricultural communities. Its intuitive interface aims to streamline complex research processes, making the ARA Wireless Living Lab an accessible and invaluable asset for the research community.