Remote Access from Windows

Most users run Windows on their home computers but need access to their AFS file space and to Solaris/Linux resources on campus.

• Secure file transfer requires WinSCP.
• Terminal access for command-line execution of commands and applications remotely requires PuTTY.
• Graphical applications require XWin32 running with PuTTY.
• Native AFS access requires WolfCall, Kerberos for Windows, and OpenAFS.
• Batch processing through LSF requires the use of PuTTY to connect to separate lsf.ncsu.edu batch servers.

A high-speed connection through your Internet Service Provider is recommended for some types of connections (file transfer) and essential in others (AFS or Graphical Applications).

Important! Don't forget to maintain current anti-virus software on your home computer. Norton Anti-Virus software with regular anti-virus updates is free for download to all NCSU faculty, staff and students.

Secure File Transfer

One file-transfer package is available for download: WinSCP. Conventional ftp software is not recommended because it is not secure. If you just want a file transfer program only, WinSCP is easy to install and use.

It is important to note that you should connect to remote-access servers on the Campus Remote Access Servers page.

WinSCP Install Instructions
WinSCP Usage Instructions

FAQ: Why is FTP not covered anywhere on this site?

Running Realm Unix/Linux Applications Remotely

To run applications remotely from your Windows computer also requires connecting to the remote-access servers on the Campus Remote Access Servers page. The applications you connect to actually run on these remote computers, not on your Windows machine, so such things as printing locally from the application will not work. Also, the speed at which the application runs is determined by the capacity of the remote server and the load it is carrying. Remote-access servers are shared resources.

For command-line execution of applications like pine, elm, pico, etc. and to execute Unix and AFS commands at an eos% prompt requires the installation of either F-Secure or PuTTY. To run an application in full graphical mode (one application at a time only) requires X-Win32 to be run each time you make a connection.

Remote Access to Solaris and Linux Applications
Troubleshooting Remote Access

Running Windows Applications Remotely

Currently, the only way to access Windows applications remotely is on a course-by-course basis via the Virtual Computing Lab. This makes use of the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) that is included as part of Windows XP, which is the OS that is used on the VCL Windows "servers" which allows for such things as saving files to your local personal computer and printing to a local printer.

Remote Desktop Instructions for Windows
VCL Related Software Downloads
VCL Help
VCL FAQ

Native AFS Access (Windows 2000/XP only)

WolfCall, along with the OpenAFS Client and Kerberos for Windows, makes it possible for you to map your home directory (K: drive) and AFS root directory (J: drive) on your home computer so that you can work directly with files in your campus AFS space without going through file transfer or terminal access. You open, save, copy, and delete files just like they were on your local machine, or, like you were sitting in an Eos lab.

WolfCall

Batch Processing

Load-sharing services provide batch processing so that users can run long calculation-intensive programs on dedicated hardware. By running batch jobs on a load-sharing system, users can get results back sooner without hogging the resources of general-purpose remote access machinery.

NC State's Load Sharing Facility provides such a service. To use LSF, you will need to be able to log into a Solaris machine remotely. To learn how, follow the directions under the section entitled Running Applications Remotely.

LSF

 

Go directly to
Remote Access to Solaris and Linux Applications

Windows Software for Remote Users

Norton AntiVirus
download available

PuTTY
download available

WinSCP
download available

WolfCall
download available

X-Win32
download available

Information Technology and Engineering Computer Services (ITECS)
College of Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
Comments to eoshelp@ncsu.edu. URL: http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/

This support page is for students, faculty, and
staff at North Carolina State University.