LXResearch is a general usage Linux cluster, it is CPU based only. Full graphical access (X11) on lxreseach.ist.psu.edu is NOT supported.

To access lxresearch.ist.psu.edu remotely, you must first be able to log into the IST SSH Gateway (ssh.ist.psu.edu). Click here for more information on how to Connect to SSH.

Who can use it?

Any IST faculty member, graduate, or student researcher that is affiliated with an IST research group.

How do I connect?

SSH to ssh.ist.psu.edu using your IST account and password.

Once logged into the gateway, you may ssh over to lxresearch.ist.psu.edu using your *PSU username and password*.

If you find you cannot log into lxresearch, please send a request to helpdesk@ist.psu.edu and include the following:

• Your full name and Penn State username (You will use your PSU account to sign in via SSH).

• If you're not a faculty member, the name of the faculty sponsor of your research. CC the faculty member on your request as their approval will be needed in writing before access will be granted.

Once you've received access, you may SSH to lxresearch.ist.psu.edu from any wired IST network address. If you are working remotely, you may connect through ssh.ist.psu.edu.

OK, I've connected successfully. Now what?

You may use any Linux package by installing it in your home directory including python and associated packages. To utilize them, you may, for example, install Anaconda to your home directory and then create your environment as needed.

1. How do I install things in my home directory without sudo or root access?

Here is a link if you are not familiar with setting up and compiling Linux software and binaries in your home directory:

https://nullprogram.com/blog/2017/06/19/

2. Ok, so what if I do want to install Anaconda?

From your home directory, run:

[user@lxresearch ~]# wget https://repo.continuum.io/archive/Anaconda3-5.0.1-Linux-x86_64.sh

[user@lxresearch ~]# /bin/bash Anaconda3-5.0.1-Linux-x86_64.sh

3. Can you give an example of 'compiling' something on Linux?

Sure, let's look at this example from Pachterlab:

Preliminaries

Since we will be installing things to your home directory, you should add $HOME/bin to your PATH if you haven’t already. This ensures that your shell knows where to look for binaries (cmake for exmple). For this current session, run the following from your terminal:

export PATH=$HOME/bin:$PATH

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/lib/:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

Afterwards, place the same code into your shell startup file (e.g. one of ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.).

We’ll assume all downloads are in ~/Downloads. Make sure to change to the downloads directory before downloading each one of the source archives (*.tar.gz files)

Building and installing CMake

The easiest way to install CMake is from source. Head over to the CMake downloads page and get the latest “Unix/Linux Source” *.tar.gz file. Make sure to set the --prefix flag correctly, otherwise you won’t have permissions to install files at the default location.

tar -xf cmake*.tar.gz

cd cmake*

./configure --prefix=$HOME

make

make install

You should now have the most up-to-date installation of cmake. Check the version by typing:

cmake --version

4. Are you using job management or scheduling?

Not yet. Please be mindful of other users of the system.

5. How do I get data to the system?

You can scp data to ssh.ist.psu.edu to your home directory and then over to your home directory on lxresearch.