Windows Login Machines

A more detailed version of the information below is available in the Accessing CTC Machines document.

Via any Remote Desktop method

Full windows desktop functionality from your machine

Using a remote desktop gives you full windows desktop functionality from your machine. A new desktop window provides access to all of the software on the login machines with a GUI interface or from the command prompt.

When you connect to a login machine using a remote desktop connection, you will see your desktop on that login machine.

Once you are connected, you can navigate to your files in either of two ways:

1. Double-click on the icons

   My Computer | H: | Users | your_userid

2. From the Start menu at the lower left, choose

   All Programs | Accessories | Command Prompt

Batch machines: Once you have established a remote desktop connection to a login machine, you can use a remote desktop connection to connect to a batch machine on which you have a running job. You cannot use telnet.  To leave the batch machine, type logoff or shutdown -l at a command prompt.

Warning: If you use a remote desktop connection, be sure to log off the system rather than just closing the window. If you simply close the window, you will stay connected, using system resources.  If you inadvertently close the window, simply reconnect and log off properly.

Note: When remote desktop is used in full-screen mode, you'll see a tab across the top of the screen.  Look at the push pin icon on the left; if it looks pushed in, the tab will remain visible.  If not, the tab will recede; to get it back, move your cursor to the top of the screen.  To toggle between these modes, click on the push pin.

1. . . . via Remote Desktop Connection
   
   Remote Desktop connection allows you to connect to a terminal server or another machine running windows.
   
   Requirements: Windows XP
   
   Start | All Programs | Accessories | Communications | Remote Desktop Connection

2. . . . via Remote Desktop Web Connection

   You can connect to the login machines through a web page.
   
   Requirements: Windows and Internet Explorer

   More about TSWeb

   Connect to TSWeb

3. . . . via other Remote Desktop clients
   

   If you use Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000: 
   You will need to download the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client before you can use it.
   
   If you use a Mac:
   Free download from http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/misc/RDC.asp. Works just like the Remote Desktop Connection in Windows XP. Requires Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or higher.
   
   If you use a non-Windows platform:
   You will need the rdesktop client. If you are running Linux, typically it is part of the distribution. If you prefer to build it yourself, it is available for downloading from http://www.rdesktop.org/. Executables are available from http://www.jacco2.dds.nl/rdesktop/index.html.

Via SSH

If you do not come in on a secure connection, there is a danger that your userid and password can be intercepted by someone listening on the network. Telnet is not secure and has been disabled as a means of accessing the login machines. It sends clear text passwords over the network.  Use an SSH client so that you can establish a secure connection before accessing the login nodes.

• The login machines are SSH servers.

• The section on SSH in Accessing CTC Machines describes download and use of an SSH client.

• SSH from any platform to get a command prompt on one of the login nodes:

  ssh winlogin1.tc.cornell.edu

Linux Login Machines

Via SSH

If you do not come in on a secure connection, there is a danger that your userid and password can be intercepted by someone listening on the network. Use an SSH client so that you can establish a secure connection before accessing the login nodes.

• The login machines are SSH servers.

• The section on SSH in Accessing CTC Machines describes download and use of an SSH client.

• SSH from any platform to get a command prompt on one of the login machines:

  ssh linuxlogin1.tc.cornell.edu

Batch machines: Once you have established a remote desktop connection to a login machine, you can use ssh to connect to a batch machine on which you have a running job. To leave the batch machine, type exit at a command prompt.

Your Turn

Now that we're logged in, let's try a command from the first section:

Stay logged in.