New users

Welcome to the VIPBG Linux cluster system. If you don't have an account on the group cluster you'll need to contact Helen.

New to Linux?

If you're new to Linux and using command line interfaces, VCU Technology Services provides an introduction to basic commands here.

How to connect to the VIPBG cluster

How you connect to the server will depend on the kind of system you use.

Windows

There is more than one way to make a ssh connection to server, such as openssh and putty, choose your favorite.

We discovered a neat utility called MobaXterm. If that program is not present on your system, you can install it now:

• go to the MobaXterm download page and download the free version of MobaXterm
• start MobaXterm, create a new session and choose SSH settings
• enter group.vipbg.vcu.edu for Remote Hostname
• set session name to be group
• click OK to save it, then double click the name group on the left side bar

Linux

First, we need to open a terminal window. In Ubuntu the Terminal can be accessed via the Dash search box:

In older versions of Ubuntu (10.10 and below) you'll find the Terminal under the Accessories menu:

Enter the following command in the Terminal window, replacing username with your personal logon:

ssh -X username@group.vipbg.vcu.edu

If you receive an error saying ssh command not found then you are missing the necessary ssh software. On Ubuntu (and other Debian-based distros) ssh can be installed with the following command:

sudo apt-get install openssh-client

When connecting to the system for the first time, ssh will ask you to verify the RSA key fingerprint. When asked to do so, enter your password. Now you will see a screen filled with some text: the Message of the Day.

You are now 'logged in' to the cluster system and ready to use it.

Mac OS X

First, we need to open a terminal window. In OS X the Terminal is usually found in /Applications/Utilities or can be be accessed via Spotlight:

Enter the following command in the Terminal window, replacing username with your personal logon:

ssh -X username@group.vipbg.vcu.edu

When connecting to the system for the first time, ssh will ask you to verify the RSA key fingerprint. When asked to do so, enter your password. Now you will see a screen filled with some text: the Message of the Day.

You are now 'logged in' to the cluster system and ready to use it.

How to disconnect

Simply type logout in the terminal window. Do not forget the 'Enter' after this command.