ACCESSING SUPERCOMPUTING MACHINES

Procedure to Login

Users should use a SSH client to log in to our machines. Unencrypted methods such as telnet, rlogin, and XDM are NOT allowed for accessing our machines. Any SSH client will typically require the user to supply the name or IP address of the machine to which access is sought, as well as a username and a password, before granting access. The interface may differ from platform to platform (PC based clients typically have GUIs while Unix based clients may not).

SSH (Secure SHell) clients provide essentially the same functionality as telnet clients but encrypt network traffic between the user's machine and the remote machine. SSH is therefore secure against snooping and is the recommended method of connecting to our machines. SSH clients may not be installed by default on all systems but many free implementations are available for download from the Internet.

You should also get into the habit of using secure copy (SCP -- a companion program often bundled with ssh) instead of the traditional ftp utility to transfer files. SCP is more flexible than ftp in that it allows you to transfer directories from one machine to another in addition to just files. There are SCP graphical user interfaces for Windows and for Macs.

If you wish to run programs with graphical interfaces on one of our machines and have it display on your workstation, you will need to have a X11 server or X11 server emulator running on your workstation.

Instructions for using SSH with our systems are listed below for each operating system:

AQUA USERS NOTE First time login will be enforced to change the password.

After successful login, You are on to your home directory.

• Window's User:
  1. Please install SSH client from ftp://ccftp.iitm.ac.in/ssh/SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.9.exe on your local system. Else you can use your convenient ssh login software.
  2. Click on the SSH secure shell client icon.
  3. Please click the Quick Connect Button.
  4. Please enter the following details:
     • Hostname: aqua.iitm.ac.in
     • Username: your user account
     • Click on connect, it will prompt for password, and then enter your respective password.
• Linux Users:
  1. Open the Terminal, and type
     • ssh username@aqua.iitm.ac.in
     • It will prompt for password, enter your respective password.
     • After successful login, You are on to your home directory.

GNR USERS

• Window's User:
  1. Please install SSH client from ftp://ccftp.iitm.ac.in/ssh/SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.9.exe on your local system.
  2. Click on the SSH secure shell client icon.
  3. Please click the Quick Connect Button.
  4. Please enter the following details:
     • Hostname: gnr.iitm.ac.in
     • Username: your user account
     • Click on connect, it will prompt for password, and then enter your respective password.
• Linux Users:
  1. Open the Terminal, and type
     • ssh your account name@gnr.iitm.ac.in
     • It will prompt for password, enter your respective password.
     • After successful login, You are on to your home directory.