Service Summary | Key Features | Getting This Service | Policy | Additional Information |

Service Summary

All registered students, faculty, staff, and authorized guests are eligible for mason.gmu.edu server accounts. The server hosts various applications, programming languages, and tools. Additionally, Mason account holders can host and manage personal websites, as well as manage departmental, school, center, and organizational websites.

This access is limited to Mason registered students, faculty, staff, and authorized guests. The customer must abide by all university, state and federal policies, procedures, and laws associated with the use of this service.

Key Features

  • All registered students, faculty, staff, and authorized guests are eligible for mason.gmu.edu server accounts.
  • Host and manage personal websites, as well as manage departmental, school, center, and organizational websites.
  • Host various applications, programming languages, and tools.

Getting This Service

Your mason.gmu.edu server account is created automatically.

Accessing your account requires a Mason NetID and password. To set your password, go to the Patriot Pass Password Management web site.

You will also need to be on the wired or wireless Mason network or use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access and edit content on mason.gmu.edu. You will need to use Cisco AnyConnect to connect to the VPN. Downloads and instructions are available:

Viewing (HTTP/HTTPS) mason.gmu.edu websites, as well as anonymous FTP access, will not require VPN.

Once installed, enter your desired URL for your VPN group in the format “vpn.gmu.edu/”

Mason Employees

If you do not know your specific VPN group or do not have one, you may enter “vpn.gmu.edu” and click Connect. Select “GENERAL” from the Group list and log in with your NetID and Patriot Pass password. You will need to use two-factor authentication (2FA).

Students

If you do not know your specific VPN group or do not have one, you may enter “vpn.gmu.edu” and click Connect. Select “STUDENT” from the Group list and log in with your NetID and Patriot Pass password. You will not need to use two-factor authentication (2FA).

For complete instructions for accessing and using the VPN, visit Using 2FA with Cisco AnyConnect VPN and What is my VPN Group?

Server accounts require a Secure Shell client (SSH) or Secure File Transfer client (STFP) for access. Microsoft Windows ssh clients are available under related downloads.

Instructions for connecting to server space for your personal account and setting up a Mason website are available at the Mason Cluster.

Policy

All users of the George Mason University network must adhere to University Policy Number 1301: Responsible Use of Computing.

Additional Information

The following web utilities are available for download:

  • NVU, a complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop, Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users.
  • Brackets HTML & CSS Editor, a modern, open source text editor that understands web design.
  • Cyberduck, a libre server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows with support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox.
  • FileZilla, a free FTP solution for Windows and Mac that supports FTP, but also FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP.

The following browsers are available for download: