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Accessing CSC computers

The classwork of CO904 requires using CSC (Centre for Scientific Computing) Linux computers. This is how to get access:

  • set up a CSC account: fill out this webform. Choose a secure password, choose a UNIX shell (I recommend bash, "Bourne-Again SHell"), and for research group membership choose "Other/Not listed".
    You have to follow the University regulations on computer use: don't share accounts or passwords, don't download copyrighted or inappropriate material, don't abuse or dergrade the system in any way — consult this IT Services page for details.
  • set up Xming: a good way to access csc computers from Windows laptops is via the Xming client. Download it from sourceforge: install both xming and the fonts. When running the installation, for Xming choose to include the PuTTY ssh client (default), for the fonts it is best to install all. After installation, run Xlaunch: I recommend using these options: multiple windows, start application, remote application using PuTTY (plink.exe). After being asked for server name (godzilla.csc.warwick.ac.uk), user name and password (best to leave password empty here), there is a possibility to save the configuration in an .xlaunch file (eg. on the desktop) for easy subsequent use. Now you can launch a terminal on godzilla, displayed as a regular window, from which any X applications (emacs, xmgrace etc) can be started.
  • Update: don't use NX client because of the frequent crashing on timeouts
    set up NX client
    : the recommended way to access the CSC computers from Windows PCs or laptops is via the NX remote desktop: follow these instructions. NX client is already installed on ITS managed PCs, and for Windows, Linux or Mac OSX it can be downloaded for free from NoMachine's webpage (look for NX Client Products). Install fonts as well (at least the 75 dpi fonts). This will connect you to the CSC server godzilla.
  • other option is cygwin, which is a Linux-like environment for Windows, it provides both ssh client and an X11 server. I have never used it but know people who really like it; however it is a large software suite - so be prepared.