Computing Core Services


Connecting to CSDE Unix systems

All CSDE Unix systems allow incoming connections exclusively via Secure Shell (SSH) v2.

  • Connecting from Windows:
    The recommended Secure Shell 2 client is PuTTY. Download the Windows version here.
    To use the client, open the program and specify your connection by host name or IP address. Make sure port 22 is selected and then click Open.

  • Connecting from Unix systems:
    Connecting to CSDE Unix systems is accomplished via the command line Secure Shell (SSH) client.
    Syntax: ssh <user@hostname>
    For example: "ssh ncosgray@mosix.csde.washington.edu"

A list of CSDE Unix hosts is available here


Using NoMachine NX with CSDE Unix systems (Ars or Libra as of 5/2011)

If you are interested in previewing this new service that makes a Unix server look much like a Windows Remote Desktop experience, download the NoMachine Client and configure it to connect to the CSDE Unix system you wish to use.
  • From a Windows system:

    Download and install NoMachine NX Client for Windows Once you have downloaded and installed the NoMachine NX Client start the program. The first screen should ask for a session name. Since we want to connect to ars let's name your connection "ars" . In the host field type in "ars.csde.washington.edu". Leave the default port number (22) and select internet connection if known. On the following page make sure "unix" is selected in the first drop box and "GNOME" in the second. After clicking finish a NoMachine window should pop up with a login, password, and session field. Enter your unix username and password. Make sure the session is "ars" and click connect.

  • From a non-windows client computer: (mac, linux, and solaris are supported)
    In your web browser, go to:
    http://nomachine.com/download
    Choose the Client for your local host platform under the "NX Client Products" section and install to your local machine. It is recommended that you use all of the default setings in the client setup and that you choose "Gnome" as your preferred Desktop Manager software.

Using X11 (X-Windows) with CSDE Unix systems

X11R6 (X-Windows) is allowed if securely tunnelled over SSH.

  • From a Windows system:

    Use the StarNet Xwin32 program As a member of the University of Washington community, you are entitled to have this software installed on your computer as part of the Starnet Xwin32 Site license.

    You are welcome to log in with your UWNETID and download/install Xwin32 software from the following URL: http://theseus.mcis.washington.edu/xwin


    If you have Xwin32 installed already, use "Start Menu-> Programs -> StarNet -> Xwin32 to start your connection. You should see a small "X" in the lower Right hand toolbar area. Left click on this icon for a list of hosts or use the XConfig program to create new sessions to your favorite Unix hosts. Note that new sessions must be configured to use the "StarNetSSH" connection method so that X Tunnelling is used. In the "command" section of the "new session" window, type "xterm", and fill in the other fields appropriately.
  • From a Unix system:

    Use a tunnelled SSH connection from the command line to connect to your remote host. Whereas in a non-X session, you would use "ssh @" - now you must specify that you want to tunnel X11 with the "-X" (upper case X) option to SSH.
    Connect with the following syntax: "ssh -X @" once you have a terminal window connected to the remote host, then you may start programs that require X, such as "xterm" or "xeyes". Start X commands with a trailing Ampersand to avoid blocking the IO on the terminal window you are using. For example: "ssh -X user@nova.csde.washington.edu" then in the new window, type "xterm &" - now you have an xterm and a regular shell window and can use both.
  • Advanced, mobile method for using X11 via CSDE-TS3:

     Another way to do this is to use linux or windows from home, connect to CSDE-TS3, and from TS3, run the "start Menu -> programs -> StarNet -> Xwin32" (blue X icon) and once that comes up - you'll see a little X down in the lower Right toolbar, left-click that X and you'll see various CSDE Unix hosts which you can connect to to run X11 stuff - an Xterm should pop up after you authenticate. One of the most compelling reasons to use X11 on TS3 to host your UNIX session is that you can start an X job, disconnect from TS3 at home, come in to work, reconnect to TS3 and youre X11 job is still running, and your GUI is exactly how you left it from home.

    Note that the NoMachine client is recommended over the X11/Starnet solution (mbw 9/2009)