Research Computing Environment Accessing the RCE Connecting to the RCE Summer 2009
Connecting to the RCE Summer 2009

Connecting to the RCE Summer 2009

Guide Overview

This guide describes how to access the Research Computing Environment (RCE) through a secure network connection. Refer to the guide Working in the RCE Summer 2009 for information about how to use the desktop applications, tools, and utilities after you connect. For information about how to exit from the RCE, see Exiting the RCE.

You use the NX Client application to connect to the RCE from a Windows, MacOS, or Linux workstation. The NX Client is available free of charge from NoMachine, a division of Medialogic S.p.A., at the following web site:

http://www.nomachine.com/download.php

Note: Before you connect to the RCE, read Setting Your Password.

Requirements for RCE Connection

Requirements for RCE Connection

Before You Begin

Make sure you have all the necessary prerequisites for connecting to the RCE:

  • Set your password as described in Setting Your Password.
  • Identify the name of an RCE server to which you are granted access.
    A server name was supplied in the email you received after you set your password. Also, the server name is listed in the HMDC Account Adminstration window, in the Account Access field RCE cluster value.

Required Components

To connect to the RCE you use the NX Client application. Before you install the NX Client applicaton, make sure that you have the following minimum components installed on your system:

  • Windows -
    • Windows 2000 operating system (OS)
    • Display Property setting for 32 bit Color Quality
      On your desktop, open the Display Properties, click the Settings tab, and make sure that the Color Quality field is set to 32 bit. Information about this setting is passed to your RCE session when you connect to it, and you cannot reconnect to a session that you started with a different Color Quality value.
  • Mac OS -
    • Mac OS X 10.3, Intel or PPC version
    • Apple X11 application
      If you do not have X11 installed or are not sure that you do, please contact us.
  • Linux - RedHat Linux 5.0

To set up the NX Client application the first time, see Downloading and Installing NX Client and Configuring NX Client. After you set up the NX Client, see Connecting to the RCE Using NX Client.

Setting Your Password

Setting Your Password

The first time you log in to the RCE, set your password as follows. After you set the password, you can connect to the RCE.

  1. Open your new login account request email and click the link to set your password and activate your RCE account.

  2. In the HMDC Account Self Service web site, you must check your Contact Name and Email address and enter an Office Location and Phone Number.

    Before you log in to the RCE for the first time, set your password as follows. After you set the password, you can connect to the RCE.

    1. Open your new RCE account request email and click the HMDC Account Self Service link to set your password and activate your RCE account.

    2. In the HMDC Account Self Service web page, you must confirm your Contact Name and Email address, and enter an Office Location and Phone Number.

      Also, in the Account Access field, make a note of the RCE cluster hostname to which you have access.

    3. In the Change HMDC Account Password section, in the New Password and Retype Password fields, enter a new RCE account password that complies with the password requirements listed above the fields.

    4. Click Save Changes to enter your contact information and change your password.

    5. After you change your password successfully, click Logout to exit HMDC Account Self Service.

      You receive two emails: a confirmation of your password change, and specification of the RCE cluster hostname to which you are granted access. Use your new password to connect to the RCE server.

    You can change your contact information and password at any time by using HMDC Account Self Service. Go to the following location:

    https://help.hmdc.harvard.edu/account_manager

Details to Setting Your Password

Details to Setting Your Password

When you first are assigned an RCE account, you receive an email that directs you to set your password. You must log in, set a password, and complete the account contact form before you can use any HMDC server function.

For details on how to set your RCE account password, please refer to the How do I change my password? entry in the RCE FAQ on the HMDC Support web site.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
Passwd1.png
image/png icon
Passwd2_1.png
image/png icon
Passwd3_1.png
Downloading and Installing NX Client

Downloading and Installing NX Client

To download and install the NX Client application, open a browser and go to the NX Client download page at http://www.nomachine.com/download.php.

Scroll to the NX Client Products list, and click the link to download the appropriate client for your operating system:

Continue with the appropriate install procedure for your operating system.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
01-download-section.png
Installing NX Client for Windows

Installing NX Client for Windows

To download and install the NX Client for Windows application:

  1. On the NX Client Download page (http://www.nomachine.com/download.php), scroll to the NX Client Products list and click the NX Client for Windows link.

  2. Click NX Client for Windows again.

  3. Click Download package.

  4. Save the file to your workstation.

    When the download completes, you see it in your Downloads window.

  5. Right-click the downloaded file, then click Open to decompress the NX Client installer.
    The package file has a name similar to the following:
    nxclient-3.3.0-6.pkg

    You are prompted to open the executable file.

  6. Click OK to decompress the downloaded installer package.

    You might be prompted with a Security Warning about an Unknown Publisher. If so, click Run to decompress the installer.

    After the installer is decompressed, the NX Client for Windows launches.

  7. Click Next to start the installation.

    The Select Destination Location window is displayed.

  8. Accept the default Program Files subfolder, and then click Next.

    The Select Start Menu Folder window is displayed.

  9. Accept the default folder, and then click Next.

    The Select Additional Tasks window is displayed.

  10. Accept the default task to create a desktop icon, and then click Next.

    The Ready to Install window is displayed.

  11. Click Install.

    The Completing the NX Client window is displayed, and the NX Client is installed.

  12. After the installation completes, click Finish to quit the installer.

If you encountered problems before reaching this point, do not continue. If you did not install the NX Client successfuly, you might not be able to connect successfully to the RCE, even if you perform the rest of the procedure correctly. Please contact us for assistance.

If you reached this point without problems, you are ready to configure the NX Client for your first connection to the RCE. You no longer need the installer package (nxclient-3.3.0-6.pkg) and can move it to the Trash.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
FileSecurityWarn.PNG
image/png icon
NXClientForWin.PNG
image/png icon
NXClientForWinPackage.PNG
image/png icon
OpenExecutable.PNG
image/png icon
Setup1.PNG
image/png icon
Setup2Destination.PNG
image/png icon
Setup3StartFolder.PNG
image/png icon
Setup4AddTasks.PNG
Installing NX Client for Mac OSX

Installing NX Client for Mac OSX

To install the NX Client for Mac OSX application:

  1. On the NX Client Download page (http://www.nomachine.com/download.php), scroll to the NX Client Products list and click the NX Client for Mac OSX link.

  2. Click NX Client Compressed PKG for Mac OSX.

  3. Click Download package.

  4. Save the file to your workstation.

    When the download completes, you see it in your Downloads window.

  5. Right-click the downloaded file, then click Open to decompress the NX Client installer.

  6. After the installer is decompressed, locate the NX Client installer package in a Finder window.

    The package file has a name similar to the following:
    nxclient-3.3.0-6.pkg

  7. Double-click the installer package to begin the installation. After the installer launches, click Continue.

  8. Select your hard drive, and then click Continue.

  9. Click Install.

  10. When prompted enter your workstation password, and then click OK.

  11. After the installation completes, click Close to quit the installer.

If you encountered problems before reaching this point, do not continue. If you did not install the NX Client successfuly, you might not be able to connect successfully to the RCE, even if you perform the rest of the procedure correctly. Please contact us for assistance.

If you reached this point without problems, you are ready to configure the NX Client for your first connection to the RCE. You no longer need the installer package or the compressed package, and can move both to the Trash.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
01-download-section.png
image/png icon
02-download-package.png
image/png icon
03-download-successful.png
image/png icon
04-installer-package.png
image/png icon
05-installer-begins.png
image/png icon
06-installer-drive.png
image/png icon
07-installer-install.png
image/png icon
08-installer-password.png
image/png icon
09-installer-successful.png
Installing NX Client for Linux

Installing NX Client for Linux

To install the NX Client for Linux application:

  1. On the NX Client Download page (http://www.nomachine.com/download.php), scroll to the NX Client Products list and click the NX Client for Linux link.

  2. Click the NX Client <type> for Linux version that is appropriate for your Linux distribution.

    Consult NoMachine documentation for installation of NX Client for Linux if you are not using Red Hat Linux or another RPM-based Linux distribution.

  3. Click Download package.

  4. Save the file to your workstation.

    When the download completes, you see it in your Downloads window.

  5. Open a console on your workstation and become the root user.

  6. Type the following to install the package:

    # rpm -ivh nxclient-3.3.0-6.x86_64.rpm 
    Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
       1:nxclient               ########################################### [100%]
    Showing file: /usr/NX/share/documents/client/cups-info

     CUPS Printing Backend

     The NX Client set-up procedure detected that your "IPP CUPS" printing
     backend doesn't allow printing from the NX session. In order to have
     printing support in your NX system, you need to set proper permissions
     on the IPP backend. Please execute:

       chmod 755 /usr/lib/cups/backend/ipp

    Ignore the reference to CUPS printing. At the current time the RCE does not support this functionality with NX.

If you encountered problems before reaching this point, do not continue. If you did not install the NX Client successfuly, you might not be able to connect successfully to the RCE, even if you perform the rest of the procedure correctly. Please contact us for assistance.

If you reached this point without problems, you are ready to configure the NX Client for your first connection to the RCE. You no longer need the installer package and can move it to the Trash.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
01-Linux-NX-Download.png
image/png icon
02-Linux-NX-DownloadWindow.png
Configuring NX Client

Configuring NX Client

After you download and install successfully the NX Client as described in Downloading and Installing NX Client, you configure a session connection profile. You perform this task once. After you configure a session connection profile for connecting to the RCE, you use that profile every time you connect.

To configure the NX Client application:

  1. Locate and launch the configuration application for your operating system:

    • Windows OS - Double-click the NX Client for Windows application to launch the NX Connection Wizard.

    • Mac OSX - In the Applications folder, double-click the NX Connection Wizard application to launch it.

    • Linux OS - On the Applications menu, select the NX Connection Wizard to launch it.

    The NX Connection Wizard application launches.

  2. Click Next to start the configuration.

  3. Enter a meaningful name in the Session field. For example, type HMDC RCE or something similar.

    In the Host field, enter the name of the RCE server to which you are granted access. The server name is provided in your password email notification, and is listed on the HMDC Account Adminstration window, in the Account Access field RCE cluster value.

    Leave the port setting at the default and the internet connection slider at ADSL, and then click Next.

  4. Make sure that the top two pull-down menus are set to Unix and GNOME.

    Set the size of the remote desktop as follows, and then click Next:

    • Windows - Set the desktop size to Available area.

    • Mac OSX - Set the desktop size to Custom.

    • Linux - Set the desktop size to Available area.

  5. For a Windows workstation, accept the default to Create short cut on desktop.

    For a Mac OSX workstation, click the Show the Advanced Configuration dialog check box.

    Then, click Finish.

    If you connect from a Windows or Linux workstation, the configuration process in complete. If you connect from a Mac OSX workstation, the Advanced Configuration dialog box appears.

  6. For a Max OSX workstation only, on the Advanced Configration window General tab, set the Display pull-down menu to Available area, and then click Ok.

    When you are prompted to save your settings. Click Yes.

  7. After you complete this procedure, you can launch the NX Client application to start a connection to the RCE.

    By default, the NX Client application launches when you complete your configuration settings in the previous step.

If you encounter problems at any stage of this process, do not continue. Repeat this procedure, and if you are not successful the second time, please contact us. If you do not configure properly your connection profile, your cannot connect to the RCE.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
01-MacOS-nx-apps.png
image/png icon
Config1.PNG
image/png icon
Config2ConnectionWizard.PNG
image/png icon
Config3Session.PNG
image/png icon
Config4Desktop.PNG
image/png icon
Config5Complete.PNG
image/png icon
Config6Advanced.PNG
image/png icon
Linux-Menu.png
image/png icon
NXLogin.PNG
Connecting to the RCE Using NX Client

Connecting to the RCE Using NX Client

Afer you configure your session connection profile as described in Downloading and Installing NX Client, launch the NX Client and connect to the RCE.

Afer you configure your session connection profile as described in Configuring NX Client, launch the NX Client and connect to the RCE.

Note: Before proceeding, make sure that you know your current RCE password. To verify your password, log in to the HMDC Account Administrator at https://help.hmdc.harvard.edu/account_manager/. If you are unable to log in to the HMDC Account Administrator, do not continue. Please contact us and ask that your password be reset.

To connect to the RCE:

  1. Launch the NX Client for <your OS> application.

    If you connect from a Windows or Linux workstation, you created a shortcut on your desktop for the RCE session. Double-click the <HMDC RCE> icon on your desktop to launch the application.

    Note: If you just configured your session connection profile (see Configuring NX Client), the NX Client already is launched for you.

  2. Make sure that your RCE user name appears in the Login field, and that the session connection you configured appears in the Session field.

    Enter your RCE password in the Password field, and then click Login.

  3. You might be prompted to accept the host key of the RCE server to which you are connecting. If so, click Yes to continue.

    Note: If you are connecting from a Windows workstation, you also might be prompted with one or more Windows Security Alerts. Click Unblock to continue connecting.

  4. The NX status window appears and displays several messages during the connection process.

    When you are connected to the RCE, the message Connected to <Hostname> is displayed. If you have a session already active in the RCE, NX Client reconnects you to that existing session. If you do not have an active session, NX Client connects you to a new session in the RCE.

    Note: If you are connecting from a Mac OSX workstation, the Apple X11 application launches if it was not running already.

  5. The NX session window, a large window entitled NX <username>@<hostname>:<#> – <sessionname> (GPL Edition), appears.

    When you connect to a new RCE session, it takes several seconds for this window to transition from all black to your RCE desktop. When you reconnect to an existing session, the transition is more rapid.

You now can begin working in the RCE. You can resize, move, or minimize this window. See Working in the RCE Summer 2009 for detailed information about how to use this environment.

See Exiting the RCE for information about exiting the RCE.

Image(s): 
image/png icon
01-nx-login.png
image/png icon
02-host-key.png
image/png icon
03-connected.png
image/png icon
04-nx-x11.png
image/png icon
NXLoginSecurityAlert1.PNG
Exiting the RCE

Exiting the RCE

When you finish working in the RCE, you can close the RCE and keep your session active, or close the RCE and terminate the session.

To disconnect from your RCE session:

  1. To close the RCE, click the Close button on the RCE window.

    You are prompted to suspend or terminate your session.

  2. If you have unsaved work or would like to retain the current state of your desktop, click Suspend.
    You can reconnect to this session and find it just as you left it.

    If you are finished working in the RCE, click Terminate.
    Terminating your session frees up system resources for other users.

IQSS