There are a number of web-pages that already exist related to documentation for people who want to use open source software at Ohio State.
If you are a Computer Science student you will get a CSE login that you can use to connect to the linux command line via ssh ebrightr@stdlinux.cse.ohio-state.edu. Here are instructions
This can be used to remotely copy your files with scp.
You can also connect via VNC over ssh which will allow you to access the same desktop you login into when at Ohio State – what currently exists as documentation is in this screencast.
Here are the condensed steps from the screencast.
- Login via ssh to stdlinux.cse.ohio-state.edu
- Run vncserver (just type in vncserver and hit enter – the first time you will need to set-up a password (this is independent of other passwords but for simplicity sake you can use your CSE login pass) – good default options are to increase geometry and depth: vncserver -geometry 1600×1200 -depth 24 – modify the resolution to make it match your screensize or however large you want the desktop to be.
- Setup an ssh tunnel (using putty or linux shell) using the info the VNC server displayed. Here is the specific command for linux ssh -N -f -L 5901:localhost:5901 username@hostname.cse.ohio-state.edu. Replace the username & hostname and the last digit of the port number with information displayed when the server launched. Hostname is typically a greek letter such as beta or epsilon. If you are running windows the screencast has more in-depth steps but you will basically run putty with the following options putty -L localhost:5901 hostname.cse.ohio-state.edu
- Connect with your VNC client – most linux distros have one, on Windows you can try tightvnc on Mac chicken of the vnc – type in your local host and the port you setup, probably localhost:5901 as the remote server you are connecting to.
- Enter your VNC password and enjoy being on your OSU desktop while being away from the lab.