---
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
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<strong id="what-is-the-mission-of-hifis"><a href="#what-is-the-mission-of-hifis">What is the mission of HIFIS?</a></strong>
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<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 our aims and scope!</strong> (German only)
<i class="fas fa-headphones"></i></p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<strong id="how-can-i-access-cloud-services"><a href="#how-can-i-access-cloud-services">How can I access Cloud Services?</a></strong>
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<div>
<p>Find all our Cloud Services, as well as any usage details and conditions at the
<a href="https://helmholtz.cloud/services"><strong>Helmholtz Cloud Portal</strong></a>.</p>
<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 illustrated tutorial on how to access Cloud Services via Helmholtz AAI</strong></a>
for more details.</p>
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<summary>
<strong id="timeline"><a href="#timeline">What is the timeline for HIFIS?</a></strong>
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<p>The HIFIS platform was set up in 2019, with basic infrastructure services (AAI) and pilot services online since 2020. The <a href="{% post_url 2020/10/2020-10-13-initial-service-portfolio %}">initial cloud service portfolio has been made public</a> by
end of 2020;
the production version of the <a href="{% post_url 2021/11/2021-11-17-CloudPortal %}">Helmholtz Cloud Portal was made available</a> by November 2021.
The finalisation of the cloud rulebook and GDPR compliant agreement is planned during 2022.</p><p>
Please also refer to our <a href="{{ "roadmap" | relative_url }}"><strong>HIFIS Roadmap</strong></a> to stay up to date.
</p>
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<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>
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<p>At the moment, we do not send newsletters, but we are preparing one! In the meantime, 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! Subscribers to this list will automatically receive the newsletter once it's finished.</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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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