Setting Up Secure Shell

Good success has been reported in using PuTTY and its related client software under Windows XP for connecting to the Worldly Node of the EGSC HPCC. The most convenient way to use the PuTTY client is in conjuction with Pageant, a user agent for PuTTY. With Pageant you can connect to the EGSC HPCC Worldly Node via PuTTY without providing a password once you have provided Pageant with your key. You should not use unencrypted keys.

A thorough reference on Secure Shell for those interested in technical detail is:

Barrett, Daniel J. and Silverman, Richard -- SSH, The Secure Shell: The Definitive Guide; O'Reilly; 2001; 558 pages.

Who May Use Secure-Shell Clients with the HPCC

Secure-Shell (SSH) access to the HPCC will only be made available to USGS users who require telnet-like access. Network traffic to the ports used by SSH is blocked at all main USGS network gateways, so SSH access cannot be provided to anyone working outside the USGS network domain.

Using the Secure-Shell Clients

The source cited above by Barrett and Silverman is the recommended source for anyone who requires a thorough treatment of SSH topics. For those only interested in getting their Secure Shell client software up and running quickly, many brief and practical references are available on the World Wide Web. While we recommend that users conduct their own searches, we suggest starting with Chapters 8 and 9 of the "PuTTY User Manual".

Using VNC with the EGSC HPCC

Like Secure Shell access, VNC access is not available to users connecting from client systems outside the USGS domain. Although use of VNC through the USGS Virtual private network is allowed, VNC requires more bandwidth than the Windows Remote Desktop client and may be too slow for VPN use. We recommend that users not even try to use VNC over dial-up lines because of VNC's bandwidth requirements.