New connection method improves user connections to UCAR host computers

SCD recommends a new, simpler method for making secure connections to UCAR host computers. You connect to the UCAR gatekeeper using SSH (Secure Shell), then you can connect quickly and securely to any protected UCAR host. This new connection method was activated on the gatekeeper system, gate.ucar.edu, on September 3, 2001. This new method makes SSH connections to internal hosts if possible, instead of always using telnet. It also offers automatic X session forwarding between the internal host and your workstation. These are the primary benefits to UCAR computer users: Simple access to the compute servers Simple access to front-end services through the front-end servers Fast file transfers both internally and remotely Using this new, recommended connection method, you receive the following services from the gateway system: Single-point-of-contact access to the UCAR gateway using SSH. From the gateway, you get login shell access to all protected UCAR hosts by typing the hostname. X Windows on the protected hosts works as expected. By default, you have access to front-end servers and all SCD internal services (such as DCS, GNU, MSS commands, netCDF, MATLAB, Mathematica, IDL, and so on.) All users receive good file transfer performance by using FTP internally and FTP externally through the gateway. How to use SSH to the UCAR gateway Make an SSH connection to gate.ucar.edu. Log on using your username and gatekeeper password (the same password you use to access your UCAR time card). Then you can connect to any UCAR host just by typing the hostname. For example, just type "meeker" to connect to meeker.ucar.edu. You now have full access to all of the regular services provided by meeker. The connection from the proxy to the destination will use SSH, if possible. Furthermore, you will be able to use X clients on the protected UCAR host, and X Windows will operate properly. For more details on the new proxy and X forwarding, please see About the UCAR Gatekeeper SSH Proxy. If you have questions about please contact the SCD Consulting Office at consult1@ucar.edu or 303-497-1278.