Topics:
Access to the Linux Computer Server "condor"
Logging into and out of the system
Basic UNIX/Linux commands
The vi text editor
The pico/nano text
editor
The ET181 course uses a Linux computer server (named condor) which can be accessed remotely through the University ethernet system. You will be given an account only on this computer. There are two distinct modes of access, depending on what you would like to do. The ssh (secure shell) access mode allows a remote PC to behave as a "dumb terminal" of the Linux server, whereas the sftp (secure file transfer protocol) allows the transfer of files between a PC and condor. You cannot mix modes of access and will have to decide a priori which mode you wish to use. All the PCs in the Stocker computer labs can be used to access the condor computer. In the ET181 course you will use both modes of access, as required.
Finally it happened. During 2009 we had to
block telnet
(teletype network) access to the condor computer
server, since it was determined by OIT (Office of Information
Technology) to be a security risk. This is unfortunate, since
telnet allowed access directly from the web. Fortunately
there is a freely available implementation of a ssh client
for Windows operating systems named PuTTY,
which has been developed and maintained by Simon
Tatham and can be downloaded directly in a portable binary
format as an executable file named putty.exe.
This file can be conveniently stored on and executed directly
from a flash-drive. Thus for those of us who have personal laptops,
we will still be able to conveniently access condor through
the ssh option using putty in Perk's
Coffee House, Donkey
Coffee, or wherever there is wireless internet access
(I find it much more relaxing to develop my C++ programs while
sipping on a medium chai-tea-latte.).
When you invoke putty be sure that the ssh option is highlighted
and assuming that your condor login id is smithj,
fill in the host address as follows: smithj@condor.ent.ohiou.edu.
For the lucky few of us who have Macs, the process is a lot simpler
since all current Macs use the UNIX operating system which automatically
includes the ssh option. Open the web and fill in the url
as follows: ssh://smithj@condor.ent.ohiou.edu
Quick Quiz: What does url stand for and what are the two main components of a url? (Answer)
Concerning sftp (secure file transfer protocol) which we will not require before lab 7, again Simon Tatham has come to our rescue, and has developed a portable binary format file which can be downloaded directly from his website as an executable file named psftp.exe (putty secure file transfer protocol). We will have more information on using this protocol in lab 7. Again the Macs have an advantage. There is an excellent sftp option available for the Macs named Fetch which can be freely downloaded directly from the Ohio University software and downloads resource on the web.
Accessing condor from the PCs in the Stocker
computer labs
One first needs to complete the PC
login process using your oak ID user name and password.
Follow the instructions on the PC to complete the PC logon, and
then continue as follows:
Login to condor
Logout of condor and the PC