CSCI 131 -- Instructions for Using SSH

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    How to login to radius from home

    In order to login from home, you must have an application that can run a secure shell (SSH). This document tells how to get and use such an application.

    SSH is a program that allows you to open a secure shell session on a remote server. What that means for those in CSCI 131 is that you will be able to use SSH to open a terminal window on radius, the server to which the machiness in Swords 219 are connected. You will be able to log in to your account from your Mac or PC and do most of your work from there without visiting the lab. The biggest drawback to using SSH is that you will not be able to use your mouse when editing files in Emacs. You will need to become very familiar with the Emacs keyboard commands for editing. Of course, the advantage to learning them is that using the keyboard commands is much faster than using the mouse, but it will take some time to become proficient.

    Another thing you should note, once you have your terminal window logged into radius, is that when you start emacs, it will run inside your terminal window. It takes over the display until you quit, so you won't be able to enter any Linux commands until then. Once you quit emacs, it goes right back to being a regular terminal. However, you can run any number of SSH terminals at the same time, so you can have one for your editing and one for your Linux commands.

    If you're still interested in using SSH, here's what you do:

    For Mac Users (OS X):
    1. Start up the Terminal program (in the Utilities folder, which is in the Applications folder).

    2. At the prompt, type: ssh radius.holycross.edu -l <username>
    The l is the letter, el, and <username> is your own username.

    3. Type your password when prompted.

    4. You're now logged onto radius.

    5. When you are finished, type logout at the prompt to log out. Then quit the terminal program.

    For PC Users:
    You must download and install an ssh program that can run on Windows.

    1. Use your web browser to search for ssh sites or you might visit http://web.wm.edu/it/?&id=2928&svr=www

    2. What appears next depends on your browser, but you should be able to locate something with the name "SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.9.exe". Click, or perhaps double- click, on that to start downloading it.

    3. You will be asked where to save it and what to call it. Save it anywhere you'll be able to find it again, and leave the name unchanged.

    4. After the file downloads, exit your browser, find the downloaded file, and double- click it to start installing SSH.

    5. During the install, accept all the default values.

    Using SSH to connect to the server.
    6. When the install is done, you should have something called "SSH Secure Shell Client" on your desktop. Double-click on that.

    7. One of the buttons in the window that appears is labeled "Quick Connect." Click it.

    8. In the dialog that appears:

      a. Enter radius.holycross.edu in the Hostname field.
      b. Enter your username in the Username field.
      c. Make sure that Port Number reads 22 (it should by default).
      d. Leave Authentication Method alone.
      e. Click on the button labeled Connect.

    9. A new dialog appears asking for your password. Enter the password for your Unix account.

    10. A terminal window should appear with a Linux prompt in it. If so, press the Save button at the top (it looks like a floppy disk). That makes it so Step 8 will be pre-filled the next time you connect.

    11. You are now logged onto radius.

    12. When you are finished, type "exit" at the Linux prompt, then close the SSH window. Next time you want to connect, start from step 6.

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    Computer Science 131
    Date Created: August 10, 2000
    Last Modified: August 4, 2006
    Page Expires: August 10, 2008