Linux servers

There are different related means of connecting to Linux systems if you're running remote commands on a command line interface, moving files to and from a remote system, or require a graphical interface to run applications.

Secure Shell (SSH) client 

To connect to these servers you will need to use Secure Shell (ssh) run through a terminal emulation client application. If you use Linux or macOS, terminal applications are included with the operating system.  Windows users will need to download a client such as MobaXterm.   This OIT doc on Secure Shell (SSH) show how to use SSH on Windows and macOS to get remote access to a Linux command line interface (CLI).   

*** BEST PRACTICE:  For security reasons, you are encouraged to using password-less SSH with public authentication keys.  Refer to Stonybrook for a complete guide on SSH keys for both Linux and Windows (MobaXterm). ***

File Transfer with sFTP or SCP

To move files to OIT-RC Linux systems you will have to use a secure File Transfer protocol such as sFTP, scp, or rsync.  There are many free graphical client programs such as MobaXterm for Windows, Fugu for macOS, and CyberDuck and FileZilla for macOS and Windows.   scp and rsync can be used from the Linux and macOS CLI, and rsync (preferred) is available in a local window on MobaXterm.

X Server

If you require a graphical interface (for example, to run MATLAB with the graphical interface) you will need an X server.  There are excellent free X servers, such as XQuartz for macOS and Xming and MobaXterm for Windows.   Linux distributions will have native support.

Remote access to login nodes

Direct SSH access to the login nodes is limited to on PSU campus IP range (this does not include the guest wireless). From off campus,  use the campus VPN to connect to OIT-RC systems remotely or SSH through the SSH gateway server research.pdx.edu.

• • Using the campus VPN:  This is the considered the most secure method of off-campus access.  OIT provides documentation for installing and configuring the campus VPN.  This requires using 2-factor authentication.

Windows servers

Typically Windows users require a full graphic interface access to the Windows desktop in order to run their applications.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Remote Desktop Service (RDS) is a protocol that allows Windows users to connect to a Windows system remotely.  

To connect to the PSU Windows Compute Intensive Systems, please follow the Getting Started page.  You will need to make sure you have an account set up or gain approval to use the system.