How do I configure PuTTy to connect to MSI Unix systems?

  1. Download and install PuTTY. 
     
  2. Double-click on the PuTTY icon and a "PuTTY Configuration" window will pop up (as shown in the image below). In the "Host Name (or IP address)" box, enter: resourcename.msi.umn.edu, replacing resourcename with your desired MSI resource (such as agate).
     
PuTTY setup with "mangi.msi.umn.edu" as Host Name, circled. Port 22, SSH selected.

 

  1. In the left panel, under Window, select "Translation". Ensure the "Remote character set" is UTF-8
PuTTY Translation settings with UTF-8 and menu item circled in red.

 

  1. [This step is optional. It is required only if you wish to use programs with a graphical interface. Under the "SSH" category, select "X11". Check the box next to "Enable X11 forwarding". (Make certain you have a local X client for Windows such as Xming configured, or this step will have no effect and X programs will not be able to open the display.)
PuTTY SSH settings with X11 selected and X11 forwarding enabled.

 

  1. Return to "Session" in the left panel and in the "Saved Sessions" box, type in the name you would like to use to refer to this session, then click "Save".
Screenshot of "Saved Sessions" box

 

  1. The next time you start PuTTY you will be able to recall a saved profile by clicking on the name and then clicking on "Load".   Click on "Open" to start the connection.
saved profile by clicking on the name and then clicking on "Load"

 

  1. The first time you connect to a server you may be asked to cache the server fingerprint. This is a safety feature of ssh. Go ahead and click "Yes" for now. You may be asked twice.
 PuTTY cache the server fingerprint

 

  1. You will be asked for your password. You can avoid entering it again when connecting to another server when using ssh keys; please see the ssh keys page for instructions if interested.
  2. PuTTY is now configured to connect to MSI's login node. From here, you can ssh to MSI's HPC clusters.
PuTTY is now configured to connect to MSI's login node

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