Remote Access to Research Network Workstations

SSHING TO YOUR LAB WORKSTATION

  1. If you are off-campus, install the SFU VPN client and connect to the SFU VPN before proceeding.
  2. Windows users: download and install an SSH client like PuTTY or MobaXterm. Be sure to specify “Username: your_sfu_username” when connecting.
  3. ssh jsmith@your-workstation.(cmpt/engineering).sfu.ca (substitute “jsmith” for your SFU computing ID)

 

 

REMOTE ACCESS POWER TOOLS: TMUX

 

tmux is ideal for keeping long jobs running on your workstation. It also allows you to freely disconnect and reattach to a set of shell sessions from wherever you are, and is ideal for monitoring long-running jobs. A brief introduction:

  1. Run tmux on your workstation.
  2. Start your job.
  3. Detach from tmux by pressing [Ctrl-B] [D].
  4. When you’re away from your lab workstation, SSH to one of our console servers (see above).
  5. SSH to your lab workstation and run tmux attach.

[ more tmux tips and tricks ]
 

USING VISUAL STUDIO CODE REMOTELY

See https://code.visualstudio.com/blogs/2019/10/03/remote-ssh-tips-and-tricks. A “jump host” is no longer required if you are using the SFU VPN.


USING PYCHARM REMOTELY

See https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/configuring-remote-interpreters-via-ssh.html. A “jump host” is no longer required if you are using the SFU VPN.


UBUNTU 20/22 WORKSTATIONS: GRAPHICAL REMOTE DESKTOP

Please note that due to the nature of session handling in GNOME Desktop, you cannot be logged into a local and remote graphical session at the same time. You may need to run pkill -u $USER gnome-session before starting a graphical RDP session.

Download and install an RDP client:

Mac

Connect to the SFU VPN service before proceeding.

  • PC Name: your-workstation-name.cmpt.sfu.ca:48555
  • Gateway => None

[Save], then double-click on the connection you just created. When prompted, enter your SFU computing ID (i.e., jsmith) and password.

Linux

Connect to the SFU VPN service before proceeding.

FreeRDP:

xfreerdp /u:jsmith /port:48555 \
         /v:your-lab-workstation.cmpt.sfu.ca
(substitute "jsmith" for your SFU computing ID)

Remmina:

  • Click the New Connection Profile button at the top-left corner of the window.
  • Protocol: RDP
  • Server: your-workstation-name.cmpt.sfu.ca:48555
  • Username/Password: your SFU computing ID (i.e., jsmith) and password

[Save], then double-click on the connection you just created. When prompted, enter your SFU computing ID (i.e., jsmith) and password.

Windows

Connect to the SFU VPN service before proceeding.

  • Computer: your-workstation-name.cmpt.sfu.ca:48555
  • Username: ADSFU\jsmith (substitute “jsmith” for your SFU computing ID)
  • Logon Method: Ask for password


UBUNTU 16 WORKSTATIONS: GRAPHICAL REMOTE DESKTOP

Workstations with older releases of Ubuntu can still be accessed remotely but setup is more complicated. See Graphical Remote Access for Older Workstations for instructions.



UBUNTU 20 WORKSTATIONS: MY RDP SESSION IS STUCK

Run pkill -u yourusername to kill all processes belonging to you on the machine, then try logging in again.



MY SSH SESSIONS KEEP GETTING DISCONNECTED!

On your local computer (not your lab computer) add these lines to ~/.ssh/config:

Host *
  ServerAliveInterval 120



TEAMVIEWER, ANYDESK & NOMACHINE

Running NoMachine, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Google Chrome Remote Desktop or similar tools pose a serious security risk. Please use SSH or xrdp as outlined above instead.

Contrary to popular belief, NoMachine, TeamViewer and AnyDesk are not free for academic use. "Free for personal use" does not mean "free to use on my personal lab worktation". You are in violation of these products' license agreements if you install them without purchasing a license.

Remote access solutions other than SSH (see below) are not supported due to serious security risks. If you are considering using NoMachine, TeamViewer, AnyDesk or similar products, you must contact the IT Services security officer to perform a Privacy Impact Assessment.



TRANSFERRING FILES DIRECTLY TO YOUR WORKSTATION

For SFU VPN Users: Direct Access

You should be able to SFTP directly to your workstation if you are connected to the SFU VPN.

Use your NFS Home Directory

SFTP to rcga-linux-ts1.dc.sfu.ca:/net/home/your_username. This directory is also available on your workstation, so it’s nearly as good as a direct SFTP connection but is limited to your 10GB of NFS home directory quota.

Multi-Hop SFTP

Also known as using a “jump host”. Use MobaXterm or WinSCP to establish an SFTP connection to your workstation through rcga-linux-ts1.dc.sfu.ca.

Details

Article ID: 3927
Created
Wed 7/6/22 6:43 PM
Modified
Fri 12/8/23 11:04 AM