• National Institute for Computational Sciences is a UT/ORNL Partnership
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New Account Information and Procedure


Accounts at NICS take approximately 2 weeks to process.

Part 1: Activating your account

Once your account has been created on Kraken or Nautilus, you will receive an email from accounts@nics.utk.edu.
Please watch for this email, a unique version is generated for each user.

You cannot log in until you follow the link in the e-mail to activate your account.

  1. Open the email you received from accounts@nics.utk.edu

  2. Select the link on the email you received from accounts@nics.utk.edu
    • It will look like this:
      https://portal.nics.utk.edu/activation/request/yourUserName/xxxxxx


  3. Verify your user information, enter your citizenship, and agree to the NICS user policy.



  4. The e-mail from accounts@nics.utk.edu also contains a PDF attachment. This is your Token Activation Form. You will need to complete the form and have it notarized. You will need to return the NICS Token Activation form to:
    • National Institute for Computational Sciences
      Attn: Patti Redd
      Oak Ridge National Laboratory
      P.O. Box 2008, One Bethel Valley Rd.
      Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6173





    RSA Keyfob

    • Activating your account will initiate the mailing of your OTP token. The One-Time Password (OTP) token is the authentication method that will be used to access NICS resources securely.
    • After information is verified, users with XSEDE accounts will be able to log in using GSISSH. Use of the High Performance Storage System (HPSS) will require the use of your OTP token.










Part 2: What to do when you receive your Token


  1. You will receive a token in the mail. It will not be enabled. You will need to email the 9 digit serial number on the back of the token to accounts@nics.utk.edu. Put your token in a safe place.

  2. When the "Token Activation Form" that you completed, notarized and mailed is received by NICS accounts, you will receive an email.

  3. Once NICS accounts has both the Token form and the 9 digit serial number, your token will be enabled. You will receive an email notification with instructions on how to set your OTP token pin and connect to Kraken using your token.



NICS provides OTP tokens for the most secure access. Those with XSEDE accounts may also log in with GSISSH and through the XSEDE User Portal. However, OTP technology is strongly recommended and it is required for access to the NICS HPSS.

OTP tokens that are not used for a period of three consecutive months are disabled. If you believe your token has been disabled for inactivity please submit a request to help@xsede.org or you may call the helpline directly at 865-241-1504.