Using SSH for Remote Connections in MCECS
What is SSH?
For links to pages on specialized uses of SSH at MCECS, such as using RDP through an SSH tunnel, see the bottom of this page
SSH stands for Secure Shell. It is a protocol that creates a secure connection between two computers using a client-server architecture. This means that an SSH client (program) on one computer (the local computer) connects to an SSH server (program) on another computer (the remote computer). SSH is typically used to log into a remote computer and execute commands through a shell (command line) interface.
SSH is mainly used for connecting to Linux computers and is widely used at MCECS.
Using SSH
Users with MCECS Linux accounts may use SSH to remotely access the general access Linux systems in the computer labs (much like they would while on-campus) as well as other Linux compute servers available for departmental or research use in MCECS. SSH clients are available for all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X and, naturally, any *nix distribution.
If you know the hostname of a particular computer you that wish to connect to, you may use that. Alternatively, you may connect to one of the following generic hosts.
| Major | Host |
|---|---|
| General MCECS | linux.cecs.pdx.edu – available for all MCECS students (not for heavy resource use-based programs) (runs Ubuntu Linux) |
| CS Only | linux.cs.pdx.edu – general servers for CS classwork (not for heavy resource use-based programs) (runs Ubuntu Linux) |
| ECE Only | centos7.ece.pdx.edu – general servers for ECE classwork (runs Centos, has a different home directory than Ubuntu systems) |
Once you know the hostname of the machine you want to connect to, select from the buttons below for your operating system specific instructions.
Specialized uses of SSH at MCECS
Running RDP Through an SSH Tunnel
All MCECS Linux hosts require SSH protocol version 2.0. Our SSH servers also support RSA public/private key authentication (although you may also have to account for Kerberos-based authentication in some environments). For more assistance connecting via SSH, email support@cat.pdx.edu.