The CS Linux lab is open for the fall term! Located at FAB 88-09, the new lab is ready for students to work on projects using their CECS account; this is different from your ODIN account.  To get this account activated, please visit the CS Tutors in their new location FAB 88-01, outside the new lab.

The CS UNIX labs will be opening at some point during Fall Term in its new locations: FAB 88-10.

How to connect to CS UNIX Servers

From the window boxes you will be connecting to the UNIX system using an ssh client. The CAT has installed three programs that will allow you to connect using SSH. These three programs are putty, SSH Client, and Cygwin-X. Info for connecting using putty and SSH Client are located at http://www.cat.pdx.edu/network/shell-and-ssh-access.html. This will enable you to remotely use programs that do not rely on graphics.

 To connect using one of the Linux labs you will be using the ssh application. This can be done by first opening a terminal and then typing the following at the command line:

   ssh unix.cs.pdx.edu

Running GUI programs from Linux 

Since the Linux boxes already have an x-server running you will only need to type the following to be able to remotely run GUI programs:

   ssh -X unix.cs.pdx.edu

Once you have logged in using the -X (capital X) option you will be able to run both console and gui programs remotely.
 

Cygwin-X and running programs from Windows

For those of you who would like to use programs with a graphic interface, such as ddd, Cygwin-X is the solution. Cygwin-X will create an X-11 server so that you can tunnel your graphic program to the computer you are working on. To start this server.

To start Cygwin-x go to the start menu, select the folder labeled Cygwin and click the icon for Cygwin-X. This will start an X-server running on your box. In addition, this will also create a bash shell. This step of the process does not connect you to the UNIX system, but instead just sets up your computer to work with GUI programs from the UNIX servers.

From here you have three choices to connect to the UNIX system and start using your GUI program. You can use the bash shell that Cygwin-X opened for you, use putty, or use SSH Client.

Using Putty to connect and launch your GUI programs

You will use Putty to connect to the UNIX system just like you have to use the console applications with one exception. You will need to go to the settings and make sure that tunneling is enabled.

Using SSH Client to connect and launch your GUI programs

The thing you will need to do differently to enable the use of GUI programs is to slightly alter your settings. To do this select edit->settings. Select the tunneling. On the lower part of the window you will see a check box labeled "Tunnel X11 connections." Make sure this check box is selected. Once this is done you can connect to the server as normal and run both console and GUI programs.

Using bash shell to connect and launch your GUI programs

In the bash window you will need to type the following at the prompt:

   ssh -X unix.cs.pdx.edu

This will connect you as normal ssh would but with the -X (capital X) option you will be able to run GUI programs.

Working from Home or on Laptop

If you are working from home on a windows box you have a couple options to enable working with X11 tunneling. You can download and install cygwin or download the XLive CD. Instructions for doing this are located at http://www.cat.pdx.edu/unix/running-x11-applications-remotely.html.

Instructions for getting Putty or SSH client are located at the above link.

One thing to keep in mind when working with graphic programs remotely is that the bandwidth required for GuI programs is quite a bit more than console programs. GUI programs will tend to load much slower than console applications and may run slower as well. It is strongly suggested to only use GUI programs if you have a fast connection. Dial-up users are recommended to not use GUI
applications.

You will also need to supply your MCECS username when connecting from a home computer or laptop. For example:

   ssh user@unix.cs.pdx.edu 

will log you in with the username "user".