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Connecting to HPC Systems

This guide explains how to connect to managed HPC systems from Windows, Mac, and Linux machines using SSH (Secure Shell).

Cluster Hostnames​

Before connecting, you'll need to know the hostname of the cluster you want to access. For a complete list of available clusters and their hostnames, please refer to the HPC Clusters Overview page.

Replace server.engr.tamu.edu in the examples below with your specific cluster hostname.

Instructions for Windows​

MobaXTerm is an enhanced SSH client for Windows with built-in support for displaying GUIs using X11, so you don't have to worry about complicated setups to get X11 forwarding working properly.

  1. Download and Install MobaXTerm

  2. Connect to a Cluster

    • Once installed and launched, click on the Session button in the top left corner

    MobaXTerm main window with Session button highlighted

    • A Session settings window will open up. In this window click on the SSH button, and then fill in the Remote host box with the hostname of the cluster that you are trying to connect to. Then click on the OK button at the bottom to start the connection.

    MobaXTerm SSH configuration dialog

  3. Login

    • After clicking OK, you will be prompted for your username and password. After entering them in successfully, you will see a window similar to the one below showing that you are now connected and ready to use the cluster.
    • Note: While entering your password, it will look like nothing is typing. This is an SSH security feature - your password is actually being entered.

    Connected MobaXTerm terminal showing successful login

Instructions for Mac​

Mac comes with SSH software already installed. However, if you want to use X11 GUI applications, you'll need to install XQuartz.

Setup (Optional - for GUI Applications)​

  1. Install XQuartz (only if you need X11 GUI applications)

Connecting​

  1. Open Terminal and Connect
    • Open Terminal application
    • Connect using the following command:
    ssh username@server.engr.tamu.edu
    • Replace username with your NetID and server.engr.tamu.edu with the cluster hostname

For X11 GUI Applications​

If you need X11 forwarding:

  1. First launch XQuartz from Applications > Utilities
  2. Click the XQuartz icon in the dock and select Application > Terminal
  3. Connect with X11 forwarding enabled: 
    ssh -X username@server.engr.tamu.edu

Instructions for Linux​

Linux usually comes with all the software for SSH and X11 forwarding already installed.

Connecting​

  1. Launch Terminal
    • Open a terminal window
    • Connect to the HPC system using:
    ssh -X username@server.engr.tamu.edu
    • Replace username with your NetID and server.engr.tamu.edu with the cluster hostname

Notes​

  • The -X parameter enables X11 forwarding for GUI applications
  • If you don't need X11 GUI applications, you can omit the -X parameter: 
    ssh username@server.engr.tamu.edu

Additional Access Requirements​

For cluster-specific access requirements (like account setup), please refer to the individual cluster documentation sections.