Computational Cluster Programs

How to Configure PuTTY for an ATS-Hosted Cluster

1. Start PuTTY by double-clicking the PuTTY shortcut icon on your desktop, or double-clicking putty.exe in your PuTTY installation directory.
     
   

   The PuTTY Configuration window will open.



2. Enter the host name

   cluster.address.ucla.edu

   in the appropriate text entry box and under the Protocol: heading select SSH.

   Enter the name of the cluster in the Saved Sessions text box.

3. Onthe left side of the window there is a panel labeled Category:. If you see a plus sign (+) next to the word Connection, click on it. It will turn to a minus sign (-) and additional entries will appear under Connection. One of them will be SSH. If you see a plus sign (+) next to the word SSH, click on it. It will turn to a minus sign (-) and additional entries will appear under SSH. One of them will be Tunnels. Click on SSH in order to modify the SSH connection options.

   

4. Select 2 under the Preferred SSH Protocol Version: heading.


5. If you are going to use PuTTY in conjunction with an X-server:
   • Enter the xterm command, as follows, in the Remote command: text box:

     /usr/bin/xterm -ls -sb -sl 1000

   • Enable X11 forwarding by clicking on Tunnels in the Category panel at the left. Then make sure Enable X11 forwarding is checked.

     



6. Click Session in the Category panel at the left. Click the Save button to the right of the Saved Sessions list to save your cluster configuration options.


7. Click the Open button at the bottom of the PuTTY Configuration window. The first time you access the cluster, you will see a Security Alert window. Click the Yes button.

   

8. A PuTTY login window will appear. Enter your cluster login id and password.


9. Fix your PuTTY desktop shortcut by right clicking your PuTTY shortcut icon. Select the Properties menu item. Select the Shortcut tab. Add @name as the target where name is the name of the cluster that you entered in the Saved Sessions text box in step 2. Click the OK button. For example:

   Target: "C:\Program Files\PuTTY0.52\putty.exe" @Hoffman2

How to Run PuTTY once it has been Configured

Once you have configured PuTTY, you can start it by double-clicking your PuTTY desktop icon.

If you are using PuTTY in conjunction with an X-server, you must start your X-server before starting PuTTY.

PuTTY Security Alert

If you see this security alert you may be experiencing a man in the middle attack.

You will see this message the first time you SSH to a new machine. After that, you should see this message legitimately only if one of the head nodes is replaced. This should be a very rare occurrence and will normally be accompanied by a news item, message of the day or other notification to users. If you have any question as to whether you may be experiencing a real man in the middle attack, click [CANCEL] and check the news or contact ATS High Performance Consulting at atshpc@ucla.edu.