Logging in from Windows

29-Nov-2007

Introduction

Logging in to our shared compute clusters and running graphical applications is seamless when using SSH from a Unix/Linux system to connect to the clusters due to features built into the operating system. However, Windows does not have such features. Therefore, extra software has to be installed and configured in order to login and run graphical applications on the clusters. The instructions below will describe how to achieve this.

Required Software

In order to login to a shared compute cluster from a Windows system, you will need to install SSH. In order to view graphical applications from shared compute clusters on your Windows system, you will need to install X-Win32. Both are available on the IT Software Distribution Page. SSH Secure Shell version 3.2.9 or higher is required and X-Win32 version 8.0 or higher is required. Follow the steps below in order to use both software packages:

Non-graphical logins with SSH

If you need to login to the shared compute clusters but do not need to run a graphical application on the clusters, you can install and run SSH. To do so, follow these steps:

Install and run SSH.
Select File -> Connect to be presented with a connection dialog box.

For the Hostname, specify the hostname of the cluster you wish to login to.
For the Username, specify your cluster username.
Leave the Port Number set to 22.
Leave the Authentication Method set to blank (<Profile Settings>).
Click the Connect button and login to the any of the shared compute clusters with your username and password when prompted.

Graphical logins with X-Win32

If you need to login to the shared compute clusters and need to run a graphical application (such as Matlab) and have the graphical output appear on your Windows system, you must login with the SSH client that is built into X-Win32. The following steps will describe how to do this:

Install and run X-Win32 using its default settings.
An X-Win32 icon will appear on your task bar at the bottom of the screen. Right click on the icon and select X-Config.
The X-Win32 Configuration window will appear with the Sessions tab selected. Select My Sessions.
Click on the Wizard button.
In the Name field, type any name you wish for your session, such as "My Cluster Session".
In the Type field, select StarNetSSH and then select the Next button.
In the Host field, type the hostname of the cluster you want to login to, such as ada.rice.edu and rtc.rice.edu, and select the Next button..
Enter your username and password on the next screen and click the Next button.
In the Command field, select Linux from the list and select the Next button.
The above steps will create a session titled "My Cluster Session". Now right click on the X-Win32 icon again and select My Sessions -> My Cluster Session. This will automatically log you into the cluster you specified in step #7 and will present you with a terminal window. Inside the terminal window you can run graphical applications and they will appear on your Windows system.