faq.md

---
title: <i class="fas fa-question-circle"></i> FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
title_image: default
layout: default
excerpt:
    Collection of Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) about HIFIS.
---

## General
{:.text-success}

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="what-is-the-mission-of-hifis"><a href="#what-is-the-mission-of-hifis">What is the mission of HIFIS?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>The Helmholtz Infrastructure for Federated ICT Services (HIFIS) ensures an
        excellent information environment for outstanding research in all
        Helmholtz research fields.</p>
        <p><i class="fas fa-headphones"></i>
        <strong>You are invited to <a href="https://resonator-podcast.de/2021/res172-hifis/">tune in to the recent Resonator podcast on HIFIS</a>, to get an idea on the our aims and scope!</strong> (German only)
        <i class="fas fa-headphones"></i></p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="how-can-hifis-help-me-as-a-researcher"><a href="#how-can-hifis-help-me-as-a-researcher">How can HIFIS help me as a researcher?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>The purpose of HIFIS is to support science and scientists. Within the HIFIS platform, we are building:</p>
        <ul>
        <li>The <a href="https://helmholtz.cloud"><strong>Helmholtz Cloud</strong></a>, providing a portfolio of seamlessly accessible IT services to simplify your daily work.</li>
        <li>All cloud services and software trainings and support are free of charge!</li>
        <li>A <strong>Helmholtz-wide login mechanism</strong>, the <a href="https://aai.helmholtz.de">Helmholtz AAI</a>,</li>
        <li>A stable, high-bandwidth <strong>network infrastructure</strong> connecting all Helmholtz centers,</li>
        <li><a href="{{ "services/software-overview" | relative_url }}"><strong>Software services</strong></a> to provide you with a common platform,
        <a href="{% link events.md %}">training</a> and
        <a href="{% link services/software/consulting.html %}">support</a> for high-quality sustainable software development.</li>
        </ul>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="how-can-i-access-cloud-services"><a href="#how-can-i-access-cloud-services">How can I access Cloud Services?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>It is easier than ever before, since you do not need to create new accounts with new passwords!
        Just search for “Helmholtz AAI” when logging in and use your home institute’s credentials.</p>
        <p>Please
        <a href="https://aai.helmholtz.de/tutorial/2021/06/23/how-to-helmholtz-aai.html"><strong>refer to our pictured tutorial on how to access Cloud Services via Helmholtz AAI</strong></a>
        for more details.</p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="when-will-all-of-this-take-place"><a href="#when-will-all-of-this-take-place">When will all of this take place?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>The HIFIS platform was set up in 2019, with basic infrastructure services (AAI) and pilot services online in 2020. The initial cloud service portfolio has been made public by
        end of 2020.
        The full version of the Helmholtz cloud is expected to be available by end 2021 with the release of the cloud portal and finalisation of the cooperation agreement.
        Please also refer to our <a href="roadmap"><strong>HIFIS Roadmap</strong></a> to stay up to date.
        The
        <a href="{% link events.md %}">Software Services Training</a>
        and
        <a href="{% link services/software/consulting.html %}">Support platform</a> is already available.</p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="anything-i-can-do-to-get-things-done-faster"><a href="#anything-i-can-do-to-get-things-done-faster">Anything I can do to get things done faster?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>We have several pilot cloud services and installations running. Please <a href="mailto:support@hifis.net">contact us</a> if you need urgent assistance.</p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="where-can-i-register-for-a-newsletter"><a href="#where-can-i-register-for-a-newsletter">Where can I register for a newsletter?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>We do not send newsletters, but you are invited to register for our Announcement letter <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">announce@hifis.net</code> to never miss any upcoming events!</p>
        <p>Either <a href="mailto:sympa@desy.de?subject=sub%20hifis-announce"><strong>register by clicking on this link</strong> and sending a registration mail</a> or
        <a href="https://lists.desy.de/sympa/subscribe/hifis-announce"><strong>register here</strong> - you can also unregister here</a>.</p>
        <p>To stay updated on general HIFIS news, you are invited to check out
        <a href="{{ site.feed.collections.posts.path | relative_url }}">our RSS news feed</a> -
        besides, of course, regularly checking our website and <a href="news"><strong>news section!</strong></a></p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="my-helmholtz-center-is-not-directly-involved-into-hifis-do-you-still-help-me"><a href="#my-helmholtz-center-is-not-directly-involved-into-hifis-do-you-still-help-me">My Helmholtz center is not directly involved into HIFIS. Do you still help me?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>Yes, of course. HIFIS is a Helmholtz-wide platform that aims to
        provide offers for <strong>all</strong> Helmholtz centers.
        Please <a href="mailto:support@hifis.net">contact us</a> or any of the <a href="{% link team.md %}">HIFIS team members</a> to get assistance.</p>
    </div>
</details>

<details class="my-3">
    <summary>
        <strong id="how-should-i-acknowledge-hifis-assistance-in-a-publication"><a href="#how-should-i-acknowledge-hifis-assistance-in-a-publication">How should I acknowledge HIFIS assistance in a publication?</a></strong>
    </summary>
    <div>
        <p>Please include the following text:</p>
        <blockquote>
        <p>We gratefully acknowledge the HIFIS (Helmholtz Federated IT Services)
        team for … (e.g. support with the <a href="#how-can-hifis-help-me-as-a-researcher">components above</a>)</p>
        </blockquote>
    </div>
</details>