Adding the Connect Browser Extension

This topic explains how to obtain and add the required IBM Aspera Connect extension to your browser. The extension is required in each browser you use to interact with Aspera on Cloud.

The Connect extensions are specific to the browser; the procedure for adding an extension to a browser is the same regardless of which OS platform that browser is running on. With a guided install, clicking Install Extension opens the extension link for the browser you are using. With a manual install, be sure to download the extension for the browser you intend to use with Connect.
Important: You must install the Connect app once on your computer. You must install the Connect extension for each browser (except Safari and Internet Explorer) you use to access Aspera on Cloud.

Chrome

To obtain and install the Connect extension for Chrome, follow the procedure below:

  1. Click Install Extension. The following page opens:

  2. Click Add to Chrome. The Add "IBM Aspera Connect"? popup appears.
  3. Click Add extension.

    If successful, you'll see the message "IBM Aspera Connect has been added to Chrome."
    Note: By default, the Connect extension is disabled in Chrome's incognito mode. To enable the Connect extension, right-click the small Connect icon in the upper-right corner of your browser page. Then open Manage extensions and scroll down to the heading Allow in incognito. Then set the switch to ON as shown below. Note that the Connect extension does not record browser history.

Firefox

To obtain and install the Connect extension for Firefox, follow the procedure below:

  1. Click Add extension. The following page opens:

  2. Click +Add to Firefox. The Add IBM Aspera Connect? popup appears.

  3. Click Add.

    If successful, you'll see the message "IBM Aspera Connect has been added to Firefox".

Safari 12

The Connect browser extension for Safari is provided with the macOS installer for Connect. For this reason, the extension cannot be added to Safari until after the installer has been run. Once Connect is installed, add the Connect extension to Safari as follows:
  1. Open Safari > Preferences (not Safari Extensions):

  2. Select the Extensions tab. The Extensions window appears.

  3. Look for the IBM Aspera Connect extension listed in the left panel, and click the check box to select it.
  4. Close the dialog. The Connect extension has been added to your browser.

Internet Explorer

Microsoft Internet Explorer does not user a browser extension.

Microsoft Edge

To obtain and install the Connect extension for Microsoft Edge, follow the procedure below:
  1. Click Install Extension (guided install method). The following page opens:

    (If you are prompted to sign in, doing so is not required. You can dismiss the Sign in window.

  2. Click Install.

    If the message below appears, click Refresh the page.

    A popup appears indicating the extension is installed.

  3. Click Launch. This returns you to the browser, and the following popup appears:

    If clicking Launch opens an empty window, return to the browser and the above popup should appear.

  4. Click Turn it on.
Note: If the Connect extension for Edge is disabled, and you try to use a web app, the launch bar asks you to install the extension. Clicking Install Extension opens the Microsoft app store and shows a Launch button—however, the Launch button will not enable the extension. Enable the extension in the settings for Edge.

For more details, see the Connect user documentation.