3. User Connection

3.1. MobaXterm (Windows)

MobaXterm is a powerful tool on Windows for connection to Linux server and a alternative to powershell locally.

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_home.jpg

Click Session button as shown above, we can see that it supports many protocols, like SSH, RDP, VNC, FTP, SFTP, etc.

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_session.jpg

To connect to the SDP server, one can choose either SSH command-line session or RDP virtual desktop session. For both sessions, the Remote host should be filled with sdp.ipp.ac.cn. Your user name and password are required for authentication. For SSH session, the X11-forwarding is turned on by default, meaning that GUI application can also be used just like local applications. For the RDP session, the desktop window can be detached and resized by clicking the corresponding buttons in the setting bar, as shown below.

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_rdp_config.jpg

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_rdp.jpg

Warning

For SSH session, the default port number has been changed (not 22), please check your account creation email for details. We recommend the user to use the RDP session, where the virtual desktop is retained even the session is disconnected. And it’s easier to transfer files by copying and pasting between the SDP virtual desktop and the local desktop.

3.2. SSH Connection (Linux or MacOS)

If you are using Linux or MacOS, SSH connection with X11-forwarding enabled is recommend. Open the terminal and type the below command to establish the connection. The SSH port number can be found in the account creation email when your SDP account was created.

ssh -X -p portnumber username@sdp.ipp.ac.cn

3.3. Nomachine (Offsite)

If you are outside the institute LAN, you are unable to access SDP directly. You need to firstly connect to the institute’s gate server by Nomachine. Then connect to the SDP server either by SSH (see SSH Connection (Linux or MacOS)) or RDP (rdesktop command) in terminal.

Warning

If the connection is unstable or you do not have the account to access the gate server, please use the direct connections mentioned above.

3.4. Web VPN (Offsite)

An alternative way to access the SDP server outside the institute is to use the Web VPN System. Log in the system, select RDP or SSH protocol, fill sdp.ipp.ac.cn in the address box, and click the round blue button.

3.5. Windows Remote Desktop

You may also connect to a virtual desktop by Window’s Remote Desktop Connection application. Fill in the address of the SDP server, and input your username and password once connected.

_images/user_connection_win_remote_desktop.jpg

If your OS version is at least Windows 10, you could use Microsoft’s new RDP client. Open Microsoft Store, search Microsoft Remote Desktop and install the app.

_images/user_connection_microsoft_remote_desktop_install.jpg

Open the installed app, click Settings on the top right corner. Click + ion in User account section. In this panel, you should firstly create a user account, fill in the username, password (optional), and display name, then click Save.

_images/user_connection_microsoft_remote_desktop_user_account.jpg

On top right corner, click Add next to Settings, choose PCs, fill in the SDP address, choose the created SDP account, and click Save.

_images/user_connection_microsoft_remote_desktop_add_pc.jpg

Tip

If you have high-resolution screen, and feel the text is too small inside the remote screen. Before saving the settings, click show more, scroll down and set a proper screen resolution (like 1920*1080) in the Display settings.

Double click the created remote desktop, a new window will be opened.

_images/user_connection_microsoft_remote_desktop_main.jpg

3.6. MobaXterm (Offsite, deprecated)

Warning

NO LONG VALID: the SSH service can not be accessed outside the institute for security. This method is just used to illustrate how to connect to an RDP server over SSH connection. For instance, you could use sdp.ipp.ac.cn as a jump host and connect to virtual desktop on the login nodes.

If you are outside the institute and you are able to access the institute’s gate server, you can connect to SDP with MobaXterm with gate proxy being set. Follow the instruction above, choose the Network Settings tab, and click SSH gateway to add a new jump host.

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_network-settings.jpg

Fill in the Gate host, Username, and Port for the institute’s Gate server. Click OK to finish the configuration.

_images/user_connection_mobaxterm_jump-host.jpg

Then you should be able to access SDP through gate server. This method is also applicable for accessing other server inside the institute.

3.7. File Exchange

If you use RDP virtual desktop (MobaXterm, Window’s Remote Desktop Connection or Microsoft Remote Desktop), file exchange is quite easy by copying and pasting between the remote and local screens.

If you use SSH connection in Linux or MacOS, command-line tools like rsync and scp can be used to exchange files between local computer and the SDP server.

GUI tools like MobaXterm or WinSCP are recommended for Windows and Cyberduck is recommended for MacOS.

You may also map the server home directory locally in Windows as a network hard drive through SFTP Net Drive (free for personal use).

Warning

As mentioned above, the SSH (so as SFTP) port number is not 22.