MAIS Login and Logout

To learn more about MAIS Login, including MAIS Login Persistence, select from the MAIS Help Topics listed on the menu.

MAIS Login

When using Murdoch's Web sites, access may be required to information resources, application systems and services that have had MAIS Access Restriction applied. When a restricted resource is selected, the MAIS Login screen displays and prompts for a Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password.

Two processes are initiated:

  • Authentication (who are you?): This process is completed when a Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password are entered, the [Login] button is selected, and the Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password are validated against data held in the MAIS Database.
  • Authorisation (what are you permitted to do?): this process, if required, confirms that a person is a member of a valid MAIS Group, or that they have a particular MAIS Authority associated with their entry in the MAIS Database, or, in some cases (for staff), associated with the position they occupy.

MAIS Login screen

The screen displays 1 button, [ Login ] and 3 links:

  1. Check your current MAIS session [for login session details ]
  2. Forgotten your password? [for information on what to do next]
  3. About MAIS Login [for this MAIS Help topic, with sections on MAIS Login persistence and MAIS Logout]

MAIS Login session data

Upon successful completion of the MAIS Login process, a login session is created in the MAIS Database for the person and the browser then displays the information resource, application system, or service. This session data for a person is used to determine how 'fresh' or how 'old' a login session is, and underpins the availability of MAIS Login Persistence, or single sign-on.

Authorisation failure

When a person is not a member of a nominated MAIS Group, or does not have the requisite MAIS Authority associated with their entry in the MAIS database, a Web browser will display a MAIS Login error message.

eg. ' ... not a member of a valid group', or ' ... MAIS Authority Type Code denied'.

[top]

MAIS Status

At any time, a person may select this MAIS Status link to initiate a query of the MAIS database. A response page will:

The MAIS Status link can also be used when login problems are being experienced. In addition to the above, selecting the link will clear any Authorisation requirements associated with an information resource, application system, or service that a person may have tried unsuccessfully to access via MAIS Login.

[top]

MAIS Authentication Server

The MAIS Authentication Server (https://mais.murdoch.edu.au/) is a Secure Web Server that interacts with the MAIS Database for the purposes of authentication and authorisation.

The MAIS Authentication Server is used for both MAIS Login and MAIS Logout.

When the MAIS Login screen displays, the URL in the address bar includes an 's' with the 'http', ie. 'https'.

eg. https://mais.murdoch.edu.au/login

This means that when a Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password are passed from a Web browser to the MAIS Authentication Server the data will be encrypted.

The majority of application systems hosted by or for Murdoch University that use MAIS Access Restriction are delivered via as Secure Web Server. However, at times, the URL for a resource restricted via the MAIS does not include the 's' with the 'http'. In these cases, although the MAIS Login screen is displayed via a Secure Web Server (https://mais.murdoch.edu.au/login) and login details are encrypted, the Content delivered via the 'insecure' Web Server and retrieved by a Web browser is not encrypted.

[top]

MAIS Gateway

The MAIS Login process has been applied to a number of externally hosted services used by Murdoch staff and students. A paired or trust relationship is established between third-party services and the MAIS Gateway.

Examples include:

  • CareerConnect (CareerHub)
  • Electronic Book Library (EBL)
  • Gartner Portal
  • Learning Management System (LMS) (Moodle)
  • Murdoch eLearning System (ELMO)
  • MyAnswers - Ask a Question (Service Cloud)
  • MyAnswers - My Questions (Service Cloud)
  • Staff Profiles
  • Travel Management System (Trobexis)

[top]

MAIS Login Persistence

Login persistence may also be referred to as single sign-on.

Once a restricted information resource, application system, or service has been accessed via a MAIS Login screen, a valid MAIS Login session will have been created in the MAIS Database, and in most cases, the login prompt should not display when a link is selected to another MAIS restricted resource, provided this is within the MAIS Timeout period for that resource. This persistence of a login session occurs for many, but not all Web-based applications, and for programs and Web pages where the domain name includes murdoch.edu.au and the Web Server delivering the resource has been registered to interact with the MAIS Authentication Server. However, if a set MAIS Timeout period has elapsed (and this can vary from one application or program to another), then the login session data held in the MAIS Database is deemed too 'old', and the MAIS Login screen will display.

NOTE: Once logged into the MAIS, a link to another unrestricted information resource or service may be selected, but the MAIS Login session will remain current until it times out, or a MAIS Logout is initiated.

If a Web browser is used in a public area, or a Web browser is to be left unattended, the MAIS Logout link should be used.

[top]

MAIS Login problems

For problems with MAIS Login, contact the IT Service Desk by phone (08) 9360 2000, or by email to itservicedesk@murdoch.edu.au. Provide the name of the information resource, the application system, or service, details of any error message, and the URL of the page displaying an error message.

Using a MAIS Login screen

As a number of different application systems and services make use of the login combination of Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password, when login problems are reported, it is important to clarify whether or not the login screen displayed is the MAIS Login screen. If it is a MAIS Login screen, it will display the banner Murdoch Authentication & Identification System.

MAIS login problems may be due to:

  1. Incorrectly entered Murdoch Username
  2. Incorrectly entered Murdoch Password (check that CAPS LOCK is not on)
  3. A MAIS Database entry has expired (eg. contract staff who have ceased employment; former staff; past students; returning students who have not yet re-enrolled)
  4. Problems with the computer that hosts the MAIS Database (this is a different computer to that used to display the MAIS Login screen)
  5. Problems associated with the MAIS Authentication Server used to display the MAIS Login screen
  6. Problems associated with a Web browser (this may mean the version of the browser software needs to be upgraded, or the setup of the Web browser needs to be modified, eg. use of Proxy Cache Servers)

Commonly occurring problems

Cookies
If the MAIS Login screen displays over and over
... the Cookies feature needs to be enabled

Browser Version
To avoid login problems related to access via a Secure Web Server.
... an upgrade to a Web browser may be needed

Proxy Cache Server
Where an ISP is used for access to Murdoch Web sites, a Web browser's Proxy setup may need to be revised to exclude Murdoch Servers. This may be necessary if the resource is hosted on, or accessed via an insecure Web Server (ie. a Server that does not use a Digital ID)
If a Web browser's Proxy Cache settings are modified to exclude Murdoch Servers, then they may need to revised again before using the Library's Off Campus Access to Electronic Resources

Problems with MAIS Login to MyInfo

The process of login to MyInfo (the web interface to the Student Management System) may be unsuccessful in some situations, including when an ISP is used, or when a computer is used at a place of employment (eg. a government department or facility). The problem may be similar to that experienced with Proxy Cache Servers.

The Web Server (http://sso3.murdoch.edu.au) that is used as part of the login process for MyInfo, is not a Secure Web Server. This can cause problems with the login process even though login will have been initiated from a MAIS Login screen and a login session will have been created in the MAIS Database.

Web browser problems

Refer to Web browsers and MAIS Login, and to information on upgrading Web browsers. Sometimes a new version of a browser can have problems (eg. with setting the cookie used as part of the MAIS Login authentication process).

MAIS Login error messages

When problems are experienced with logging in, the MAIS Login screen will display a warning message above the box for entering a Murdoch Username. In addition to the short message, there is a link for (More Information). When the link is selected, a small window opens and includes a longer explanation for the problem experienced.

A listing of commonly occurring MAIS Login error messages, with their numeric code, is available (eg. 201 'MAIS Expiry date exceeded; Access denied').

'Client address conflict' message

If the MAIS Login process results in an warning message "Client Address Conflict", there may also be an instruction to login again as the MAIS Authentication Server has detected a change in a Web browser's IP address. This can occur if a person is using a mobile device on campus and moves out of range of wireless access to the University Network and the device switches from WiFi to 3G, or, if at home an ADSL connection restarts with a new IP address.

Browser glitch message

If the MAIS Login process results in an error page displaying the warning message "If you have reached this page, you have most likely encountered a Browser glitch. This can usually be fixed by pressing the Back button on your browser", try using the Back button.

If the problem persists, it may be necessary to:-

  1. Force a MAIS Logout (using this URL https://mais.murdoch.edu.au/logout)
  2. Clear Web browser cache and cookies (see instructions)
  3. Close the browser
  4. Open the browser
  5. Login to MAIS (using this URL https://mais.murdoch.edu.au/login)
  6. With a valid MAIS Login session, go to the page offering the resource, application system or service that has been restricted via the MAIS and select the link

[top]

MAIS Login and Murdoch Password Expiry

In March 2015, the University implemented a six-monthly password changing regime for staff and MAIS Others. From 30 days prior to expiry, whenever a link is selected to a MAIS restricted system or service and a Murdoch Username and Murdoch Password are entered into MAIS Login screen, then the MAIS Authentication Server will display a notification message, prompting a change of password. The message is:

Murdoch Password Expiry

Your Murdoch Password is due to expire in NN days. Once your password has expired you will not be able to access restricted systems and services. It is recommended that you change your Murdoch Password before it expires.

followed by:

Would you like to change your password now?

and 3 options to choose from:

  • Yes, change it now [a link to the Murdoch Password Change System]
  • No, change it later [a link to the MAIS restricted system or service that was initially selected]
  • Help [a link to the Murdoch Password Help that includes links to instructions for selecting a new password]

The 'Help' link offered will be determined by whether the person who has logged into MAIS is a staff member, a student or a MAIS Other.

NOTE: Students are not currently required to change their Murdoch Password every six months. However, the University may force password expiry for students when a password remains unchanged for a nominated period of time.

[top]

MAIS Logout

If an information resource, application system, or service has had MAIS Access Restriction applied, there should be a Logout link adjacent to a person's name, below a horizontal navigation bar on right hand side of the Web page. When the Logout link is selected it ends a user's MAIS Login session in the MAIS Database and clears any associated Web browser cookies.

To force a logout from the MAIS, select this MAIS Logout link.

In addition to logout from the MAIS Database, the MAIS Logout link offered on pages such as the MyMurdoch (Portal) pages, initiates a logout from other systems that have had MAIS Access Restriction applied (eg. LMS, MyInfo and MyStudents).

[top]