Accessing CSCS Machines

If you want to use a windows machine to connect to CSCS machines and have GUI capabilities (eg, to have emacs bring up windows, to use Repast programs in GUI mode, etc), you need to have what is called an "x11 server" running on your windows machines.

We know of three options:

you could purchase hummingbird from UM ITCS, for a nice supported program -- maybe costs about $70. They are available at the Computer Showcase in both the Duderstadt Center and the Michigan Union. Using this program (e.g., from campus lab sites) is described below.

There are some free programs:

One is called cygwin, but it can be tricky to set up i guess.
Another free program recommended by one of our admins is Xming. If you want to try it, see Setting up Xming (at the bottom of this page).

If you try the free ones, let us know how it goes, e.g., if there are "tricky bits" that you had to discover, please report those, too.

In any case, you will need to use putty to open ssh sessions. Below we describe how to do that on Campus Lab Site machines, and then we describe how to use Hummingbird Exceed (which is available on the campus lab computers).

Accessing machines using Putty

To access CSCS machines from other Campus Computing labs, first login to the computer you are using with your University account. It is important to remember that your university account and CSCS account are not the same, e.g., changing one password has no affect on the other.

Next, start PuTTY. For example, on many Campus Computing site computers it is located at the end of this menu chain:

  Start -> Programs -> Internet and E-mail -> Putty -> Putty

For details on how to use putty to connect to CSCS machines, please see here. Basically, you must

set the hostname, to tell it what which computer you want to connect to,
tell putty to do X11 forwarding, and (usually)
start the Hummingbird eXceed program, so new windows can be displayed on your screen.

See below, Using X11 Programs with PuTTY for details on using eXceed.

For hostname selection, the right side of the window should include a slot for entering "Host Name (or IP)" near the top. We recommend that you pick one at random from the following list, although all CSCS computers are accessed in this same way. Note all have the same domain after the machine name, i.e., cscs.lsa.umich.edu , as for the first one listed:

   anatra.cscs.lsa.umich.edu

Other machine names (instead of anatra) include:

   dolce  | falcone |  miele  | puma
   sciame | tarturuga | termite | foglio

If you are in a CSCS class session: Please communicate with your neighbors to make sure that you do not all use the same machine.

Then, to enable X11 forwarding, in the same Putty window, on the left of that window is a list of configuration options. Towards the bottom is the item SSH. Select that, and the window will change and include a check box near the top for X11 forwarding.

After you check the Enable X11 forwarding, then click Open.

The main putty window should appear. (If you are asked whether to allow the CSCS machine, click yes; this will only happen once for the computer you use.) You should be prompted with login as:. Enter your CSCS login and password as prompted.

Note: If you are running another SSH program instead of PuTTY, this option should also be avalible. Contact the CSCS administrators at

   cscs.admins@umich.edu

if you have further questions.

Using X11 Programs with PuTTY

To use CSCS GUIs in conjunction with your SSH program, you must start the Exceed program. This must be done to run programs like emacs, firefox or models (e.g., Repast or Netlogo) that bring up their own control panels and graphical displays.

To start eXceed on UM computer lab machines (e.g., in 120 West Hall):

After you have gotten connected as described above, start up Hummingbird Exceed by clicking:

 Start --> Programs --> Utilities --> Exceed --> Exceed

If you have Hummingbird Exceed on your personal computer, please proceed with starting the program in whichever way you have it set up.

A toolbar will pop up in conjunction with your SSH program. While you are SSHed into the CSCS computers, you are now able to use GUI programs such as emacs, firefox, acroread, and netlogo.

A good way to test this is to execute the following command:

 emacs &

If the emacs editor pops up in a new window, X11 is working; if not, please contact the admins.

Setting up Xming

Description: Xming is an alternative to Hummingbird Exceed in that it is an X server and allows you to run GUI applications while using SSH
Where to Download: Xming is available for free online, just click here and your download will start.
Installation -- we recommend just trying the defaults, which means:
1. Double click icon
2. Click Next on the next 5 screens
3. Click Install and the installation will take place
4. Click Finish
How to run with SSH client (eg. putty)
1. Start --> Programs --> Xming --> Xming
2. Run putty

If you need any help, consult Using X11 Programs with PuTTY above.