Connecting to the CS Network

In this class we will make heavy use of the compute resources available on the CS network. Working in this fashion means that you’ll be able to access everything regardless of what client machine you’re using.

However, this has multiple layers: connecting to the USF network, getting from there to the CS network, and then to the server you’re interested in using.

Connecting to the USF Campus Network

There are three ways to access the campus network:

• From CS classrooms or the labs via the CSLabs WiFi network
• Anywhere else on campus via the USFConnect network
• Remotely from anywhere in the world with the USF VPN

If you are using CSLabs WiFi, then all you need is the password (it’s posted in the labs). You’re connected!

If you are using USFConnect, then you will need to:

• Register your device with USF. After connecting to the network, visit https://mylife.usfca.edu to register your device’s MAC address
  • Make sure you get the right MAC address – your computer may have multiple network interfaces, so be sure to get the MAC address for your WiFi device.
  • Occasionally it can take some time for this process to work. You may want to try reconnecting.
• Connect with the USF VPN

If you are working from anywhere else, you will also need to install The USF VPN.

Important: follow the VPN instructions carefully. In particular, if you have ever worked for USF in any capacity, you will need to use Duo 2FA and connect to svpn.usfca.edu. If you haven’t, connect to vpn1.usfca.edu.

Connecting to the CS Network with ssh

Once you are on the USF network, you can connect to the CS Jump Server, stargate. This machine is set up specifically for jumping to other CS servers. You can do this with your ssh client and terminal application. macOS and Linux have a built-in ssh client and terminal, but if you’re using Windows you may need to install the OpenSSH client and Windows Terminal. There are lots of alternative options for all major operating systems; feel free to use whatever you enjoy most.

Once you’re ready, run the ssh command:

ssh mmalensek@stargate.cs.usfca.edu

Your password will be your USF ID number that begins with 20. Once you have logged in, I recommend changing your password with the passwd command.

Connecting to a CS Server

After logging in, you can see available machines with rusers -a. In this class, we’ll use gojira, so you can ssh there:

ssh gojira

Notice how since I’m logged into the CS network, my username is implicitly already set to mmalensek and I don’t need to type the full domain name – the machine’s hostname is enough. If I wanted to connect to a machine outside the CS network, then I’d most likely need a username and fully qualified domain name.