1.3.1. Connecting to the remote HPC cluster

In order to compile and launch you parallel programs on the cluster, first of all you need to make a SSH connection to the remote cluster with the following authentification data (example):

Cluster address: hpc.usm.md
Username: MI_gr_TPS1
Password: mi_gr_TPS1

Note: The Linux Operating Systems are case sensitive!

In the 1.2.1 section we explained a bit how to make SSH connections. There are various methodes to make SSH connections on cluster.

Make a SSH connection from your Linux Terminal or through Putty (for Windows users).

Step 1. In Linux Terminal type the command:

$ ssh MI_gr_TPS1@hpc.usm.md

then press Enter. If you are connecting to the cluster for the first time, a message will appear on the screen and asks if you want to continue connecting. This message appears because the server has an RSA key that is not stored in ther system registry, the identity of which cannot be verified. Type yes and press Enter. This action adds the RSA key to the list of known hosts. You will not see this warning again during future connections.

The output should be similar to this:

$ ssh MI_gr_TPS1@hpc.usm.md
MI_gr_TPS1@hpc.usm.md's password:

Step 2. Type the password and press Enter again.
Note that the password does not echo to the screen. Once you see the prompt, you are connected to the remote computer. You should see something like this:

$ ssh MI_gr_TPS1@hpc.usm.md
MI_gr_TPS1@hpc.usm.md's password:
Last login: Fri Jan 1 17:04:17 2015 from 212.138.81.203
Rocks 5.4 (Maverick)
Profile built 18:15 03-Feb-2011
Kickstarted 23:14 03-Feb-2011
[MI_gr_TPS1@hpc ~]$

Now you are connected to the cluster and ready to work with your files.

First of all, we suggest you to create your own directory (use mkdir command) and keep there all your files. Type pwd command to see your user home directory:

[MI_gr_TPS1@hpc ~]$ pwd
/home/MI_gr_TPS1

After you finish your work on cluster don`t forget to logout instead of closing the window:

[MI_gr_TPS1@hpc ~]$ logout
Connection to hpc.usm.md closed.

When you close the Terminal window without loging out, the ssh proccess remains opened on the server and is listed as a running proccessses.