HPRC:Remote Access

Access Using SSH

To connect to HPRC clusters, you must use SSH (Secure Shell). SSH is a client-server software that provides for secure (by encryption) logins and other communication between two hosts. SSH is freely available on the Internet for Linux/Unix and PC Windows (in the guise of MobaXterm).

To initiate SSH connection to target cluster's login node, find the hostname (ada/terra/grace) and credential (userID/password) info from Table 1 below. For example, if you are connecting to Ada cluster from a terminal enter:

[user1@localhost ~]$ ssh NetID@ada.tamu.edu

where the ada.tamu.edu address is a DNS round-robin alias for ada[1-8].tamu.edu. You will be prompted for your password in order to establish authentication. Once you login into one of the login nodes, the shell's prompt will be [NetID].ada[1-8].

If, however, you are connecting for the very first time, you will see a message similar to the following before arriving at the password prompt:

The authenticity of host 'ada (165.91.16.18)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:SfQPtDJW30sj4kG2c4KGFw7LcEduSOFeXGIlsf4WhEA.
ECDSA key fingerprint is MD5:9c:ea:ba:22:0f:6f:1e:b9:0c:21:d4:b6:70:0f:a0:d5.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? 

Type yes and you will then be presented with the password prompt.

Warning: Permanently added 'ada' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
NetID@ada.tamu.edu's password:

Table 1: Hostname and credential info of HPRC clusters

Cluster	Hostname	Number of login nodes	Credential (UserID / Password)
Ada	ada.tamu.edu	8 (ada1 ~ ada8)	NetID / NetID password
Curie	curie.tamu.edu	2 (curie1 ~ curie2)	NetID / NetID password
Terra	terra.tamu.edu	3 (terra1 ~ terra3)	NetID / NetID password
Grace	grace.tamu.edu	4 (grace1 ~ grace4)	NetID / NetID password

Off-campus Access

For connecting to cluster login nodes from outside the campus, you need to activate Virtual Private Network (VPN) first, then initiate SSH connection to the cluster login nodes. You can find VPN installation instruction from TAMU ServiceNow Knowledge Base page on VPN.

Two-Factor Authentication Requirement (TAMU)

Starting October 1, 2018, the Division of Information Technology will require use of Duo NetID Two Factor Authentication on its Virtual Private Network (VPN) (connect.tamu.edu) service.

Duo provides a second layer of security to Texas A&M accounts.

If you are not already enrolled in Duo and plan to use VPN, you can enroll now at duo.tamu.edu. Enrolling is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Choose your device and download the Duo Mobile app. (We strongly recommend the mobile app as the most user-friendly option.)

2. Start your enrollment at https://gateway.tamu.edu/duo-enroll/;

3. Remember: Once you sign up, you will need your Duo-enrolled device when you log in to most Texas A&M resources.

For more information, consult IT's knowledge base article for Duo: https://u.tamu.edu/KB0012105