CS Account Information

To register for an account:
  • ssh to the machine "shell.cs.fsu.edu"
  • Type "newacct" at the three prompts (one for login, two for passwords) -- this activates the automated account generator
  • Follow on screen directions and write down your login and password that are created during the process
  • To access the account in the future, ssh to "shell.cs.fsu.edu", but use the login and password created above.
  • Students must be registered for the class for this process to work (i.e. must be on the roster).


    • Accessible CS machines:

  • shell.cs.fsu.edu -- primary login machine for undergraduate use.  Can be accessed through ssh (secure shell) but not through telnet.
  • program.cs.fsu.edu -- machine that should be used for compiling and running programming projects in the unix environment. Login via ssh (secure shell).  This can be done from within another logon session with the unix command:

    •    ssh program.cs.fsu.edu
     

    The account provides:

  • A home directory with storage space for programming projects on the Computer Science file servers.
  • access to the basic java compiler in the unix environment (javac command).
  • access to the text editors pico, emacs, and vi (unix environment).
  • an e-mail account (username@cs.fsu.edu).

    • How and where to access?

  • Can mount filespace to Windows NT environments in MCH 128 lab, MCH 315 ACNS lab, and some other ACNS labs.
  • Can login to unix environment via SSH from anywhere (campus labs, home, work, etc).
  • Can transfer files between account and other locations (home, work, etc) via SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) programs.

    •  

    Some suggested software for accessing your CS account remotely

  • You can download the free SSH client program directly from www.ssh.com. Students are eligible for a free copy of the non-commercial SSH client. If you go to this page, you will see a link for downloading the non-commercial version of the SSH Client software. The program is on their master ftp site: ftp.ssh.com/pub/ssh/, but if you have trouble accessing it, try some of the other mirror sites on the page. The file you want to download is "SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.0.exe".
  • You can also download the free SSH client under the FSU university license from http://sl.us.fsu.edu/ssh.html . However, this download will only work from an FSU IP address (like the Garnet login, or another FSU dialup).
  • The Windows SSH client program comes with a built in FTP program -- this one is Secure FTP, which is now necessary for doing file transfers to and from your CS account. It's a very nice tool, and you can use it to transfer files when you are logged on to your account with SSH.
  • You can find some other SSH client programs listed here: More SSH Links
  • You can also find a Mac SSH client here: Mac SSH.


    • Recommendations in account usage:

  • Store program files for each assignment in a separate directory (i.e. folder).  Assignment files are easier to manage when they are not jumbled together with old assignments.  Directories can be created in the unix environment or in the Windows NT environment when your filespace is mounted as a drive letter.
  • Learn how to use an FTP program for easy transfer of files back and forth from home and school.
  • BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP!!!  Periodically backup your files.  You do not want to lose files that you have worked hard on.  Backup your files not only with extra copies on the same machine (i.e. another folder in your account), but also on another machine (i.e. transfer a copy to your home computer, or put on one disk).  If the system goes down briefly, you will not be able to access files until it is back up.  If you accidentally delete something, there's nothing I can do.  Make your own backups!!!


    • Here's a sample set of commands for creating assignment directories in the unix environment:

    Log in to your CS account and do the following:
      (folder names are suggested -- yours don't have to match mine)
     
    create a directory for use with this class:  mkdir cis3931
    change permissions on the folder to restrict access:  chmod 700 cis3931
    switch to the new directory: cd cis3931
    create a directory for the first assignment: mkdir prog1
    switch to the new directory: cd prog1