Connecting to the ODU Turing Cluster Section Terminology remote connection - This refers to a connection that is made over a network between two computers ssh - Secure Shell, a type of remote connection terminal - an application window, that accepts text commands username - In this document, when the term username is used, it is referring to a users MIDAS account user name (i.e. the part of your ODU email address before the @ symbol) password - In this document, when the term password is used, it is referring to a users MIDAS account password (i.e. the ODU email account password) X window system (X11) - a set of software libraries and applications that allow images on a local or remote Linux/Unix computer, to be displayed {Note: The X window system is not the same thing as the Microsoft Windows set of operating systems.} Introduction to Remote Connections The Turing cluster runs a Linux operating system that allows users to remotely connect through a secure shell (ssh). The ssh connection can be created through a terminal window of a Linux/Unix based system (i.e. Macintosh OSX, Ubuntu, Oracle (historically Sun) Solaris, etc.). Microsoft Windows based systems; however, require the installation of additional software known as an application client to connect to the cluster. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 1 of 16
Microsoft Windows ssh connection clients There are several, widely available application clients that can be utilized on Microsoft Windows computers. This document will focus on the use of two popular packages. The first is X-Win32 which is a commercial application, and the second is PuTTY which is an open source package. Suggestions for remote clients on tablets and mobile devices will also be provided though these form factors are not recommended nor supported for intensive work sessions. X-Win32 for Microsoft Windows X-Win32 is a commercial application licensed by ODU, from the company StarNet. X-Win32 is a ssh and X11 emulator for Microsoft Windows based systems (i.e. Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, etc.) The install files for X-Win32 is available through the ODU Software Services Catalog (http://www.odu.edu/ts/software-services). Once downloaded the package should be uncompressed (this can be done using a software package such as 7-zip (http://www.7- zip.org)) and installed using the InstallXwin32.exe application. {Note: Improper installation of X-Win32 or direct installation of X-Win32 from the StarNet website will not include the ODU licensing information.} If the user is on the ODU network with reduced user privileges (i.e. a user is unable to install programs), a request to install the software can be made to the ITS group through the email address itshelp@odu.edu. Configuring X-Win32 1. After downloading and installing the X-win32 application from the ODU Software Services page (http://www.odu.edu/ts/software-services), do one of the following to open the application: a. Opening X-Config in Windows 7 i. Click the [Start] button ii. Select All Programs iii. Select X-Win32 2010 iv. Select X-Config b. Opening X-Config in Windows 8 i. Open the Charm bar (put the mouse in the lower left hand corner until the icons appear) ii. Select Search (the magnifying glass icon) iii. Select Apps iv. Type X-Config in the search field v. Click the X-Config icon {Note: to add this application icon to the metrostart screen, right-click the X-Config icon and select Pin to Start } Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 2 of 16
c. Opening X-Config in Windows 8.1 i. Open the Charm bar (put the mouse in the lower left hand corner until the icons appear) ii. Select Search (the magnifying glass icon) iii. Type X-Config in the search field iv. Click the X-Config icon {Note: to add this application icon to the metrostart screen, right-click the X-Config icon and select Pin to Start } Note: In both Microsoft Windows 8 and 8.1 the X-Config and X-Win32 application icons can be added to the Metro-styled Start menu by first searching for the icons, right-clicking the icon, and then selecting Pin to Start. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 3 of 16
2. In the X-Win32 2010 Configuration window, click the [Wizard] button. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 4 of 16
3. In the Connection Wizard - X - Config window, type Turing in the Name: field and select ssh as the Type:, then click [Next]. 4. In the Host: field type turing.hpc.odu.edu and the click [Next]. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 5 of 16
5. Enter your username (i.e. the part of your ODU email address before the @ symbol) and password (i.e. the ODU email account password) in the corresponding fields and then click [Next]. 6. Select Linux and the commands /usr/bin/xterm -ls will automatically populate the Command: field; then click [Finish]. 7. The configuration of the X-Win32 connection to Turing is now completed. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 6 of 16
Connect using X-Win32 1. Open X-Win32 by using one of the following methods {Note: The difference between opening the X-Config versus the X-Win32 icons, is that X-Win32 attempts to automatically launch the last connection used}: a. Opening X-Win32 in Windows 7 i. Click the [Start] button ii. Select All Programs iii. Select X-Win32 2010 iv. Select X-Config b. Opening X-Win32 in Windows 8 i. Open the Charm bar (put the mouse in the lower left hand corner until the icons appear) ii. Select Search (the magnifying glass icon) iii. Select Apps iv. Type X-Config in the search field v. Click the X-Config icon {Note: to add this application icon to the metrostart screen, right-click the X-Config icon and select Pin to Start } c. Opening X-Win32 in Windows 8.1 i. Open the Charm bar (put the mouse in the lower left hand corner until the icons appear) ii. Select Search (the magnifying glass icon) iii. Type X-Config in the search field iv. Click the X-Config icon {Note: to add this application icon to the metrostart screen, right-click the X-Config icon and select Pin to Start } Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 7 of 16
2. Select the Connections tab within the X-Win32 2010 Configuration window 3. Select the Turing connection 4. Click the [Launch] button 5. A terminal window will open with a cursor blinking next to a prompt similar to [username@turing1 ~]$. That means you have successfully logged into the Turing cluster. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 8 of 16
Note: If either the username or password are incorrect, inactive, or not entered during the configuration of the connection, you will be prompted to enter/re-enter your username and/or password before you receive a terminal window. If unable to log into the cluster please submit an ITS Helpdesk request by emailing itshelp@odu.edu. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 9 of 16
Exiting/Closing the connection 1. Type exit into the window, and then press [Enter] 2. Press [OK] in the X-Win32 2010 Configuration window Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 10 of 16
PuTTY for Microsoft Windows (No native X11 Support) PuTTY is an open source application written and maintained primarily by Mr. Simon Tatham. The unique characteristic about PuTTY is that no administrative rights are necessary to run the application. The application putty.exe is a stand-alone executable file that can be downloaded from http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty. There are however, two caveats when compared with X-Win32. The first is that PuTTY does not have an included (native) X11 component, which means only a text based terminal connection is available. The second caveat is if you would like to have traditional icons added to the Start/Metro Menu of Windows, the full PuTTY application package should be installed. That means that if the user has reduced privileges (i.e. a user is unable to install programs), a request to install the software must be made to the ITS group through the email address itshelp@odu.edu. Configuring PuTTY.exe 1. After downloading the PuTTY.exe application from the official PuTTY website (http:// www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty), double-click on the putty icon to open the program. {Note: When PuTTY is opened the first time after downloaded, the system may display a warning about opening the downloaded application. Select Yes to continue.} 2. In the PuTTY Configuration window select Session from the Category tree. 3. In the Host Name (or IP address) field, type turing.hpc.odu.edu Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 11 of 16
4. In the Saved Sessions field type the name Turing and press [Save]. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 12 of 16
Connect using PuTTY.exe 1. Open PuTTY using the icon. 2. In the PuTTY Configuration window select Session from the Category tree. 3. Click Turing in the Saved Sessions area, then click [Load]. 4. Click the [Open] button at the bottom of the window. 5. If this is the first time connecting to the Turing cluster, a window will open asking to add the server's host key to the registry. Select [Yes]. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 13 of 16
6. In the turing.hpc.odu.edu - PuTTY window, where it asks login as:, type your username (i.e. the part of your ODU email address before the @ symbol) and press [Enter] 7. In the turing.hpc.odu.edu - PuTTY window, where it asks username@turing.hpc.odu.edu s password:, type your password (i.e. the ODU email account password) and press [Enter] {Note: You will not see anything change on the screen as you type your password}. Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 14 of 16
8. At this point you will see a cursor blinking next to a prompt similar to [username@turing1 ~]$. That means you have successfully logged into the Turing cluster. Exiting/Closing the connection 1. Type exit into the window, and then press [Enter] Information Technology Services - High Performance Computing Group 15 of 16
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