Remote Access

Submitted by admin on Mon, 2006-09-18 15:06.

Remote File Access — Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

We use Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to remotely access our home folder or shared group folder files. SFTP is recommended method for accessing files remotely — it provides encrypted transfer of passwords and files over the Internet in accordance with Mass law 201 CMR 17.04 paragraph 3. Linux comes with built-in GUI and command-line SFTP tools, Mac OSX has a built-in command-line SFTP client — while GUI interface can be easily installed, and Windows users need to install an SFTP client software.

If you want to edit files remotely, you will have to copy the files to your local computer, edit them, and then copy them back to server when you finish. Using a GUI Secure File Transfer Protocol client makes it incredibly simple.

Remote File Access using Linux

Linux GUI tool:
- Choose "Places" on the menu bar, then select "Connect to Server."
- Choose SSH for "Service type."
- Enter login.physics.harvard.edu in the "Server field."
- Enter your Physics account username in the "User Name" field.
- Press the connect button.
- It may ask for confirmation of authenticy of the server, the RSA key fingerprint of the login server is 6a:d8:c8:06:fe:b1:7f:a7:0d:34:2f:42:8a:3c:d9:be.
When the connection succeeds you will find your Physics home and shared group folders in home directory of the login.physics.harvard.edu. You can use File Browser (Nautilus) to drag and drop files to and from the remote folders.
Linux command-line tool:
- Open an Xterm or Terminal window.
- Start SFTP command-line client by typing:
```
sftp username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
  It may ask for confirmation of authenticity of the server, the RSA key fingerprint of the login server is 6a:d8:c8:06:fe:b1:7f:a7:0d:34:2f:42:8a:3c:d9:be.
- To get a list of available commands type:
```
help
```
When the connection succeeds you will find your Physics home and shared group folders in home directory of the login.physics.harvard.edu.

Remote File Access using Mac OSX

Mac OSX GUI SFTP client can be downloaded from here.
- Launch Fugu.
- Enter login.physics.harvard.edu in the "Connect to" field.
- Enter your Physics account username in the "Username" field.
- Press connect.
- It may ask for confirmation of authenticity of the server, the RSA key fingerprint of the login server is 6a:d8:c8:06:fe:b1:7f:a7:0d:34:2f:42:8a:3c:d9:be.
When the connection succeeds you will find your Physics home and shared group folders in home directory of the login.physics.harvard.edu. You can use Fugu to drag and drop files to and from the remote folders.
Mac OSX command-line tool:
- Open Terminal (in Applications/Utilities).
- Start SFTP command-line client by typing:
```
sftp username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
  It may ask for confirmation of authenticity of the server, the RSA key fingerprint of the login server is 6a:d8:c8:06:fe:b1:7f:a7:0d:34:2f:42:8a:3c:d9:be.
- To get a list of available commands type:
```
help
```
When the connection succeeds you will find your Physics home and shared group folders in home directory of the login.physics.harvard.edu.

Remote File Access using Windows

Windows users need to install an SFTP client software. You can download SecureFX from FAS Software Download page; or use SSH Secure File Transfer Client, which is a part of SSH Secure Shell Client.

Windows SecureFX
Windows SSH Secure File Transfer Client

Map Network Drive

Alternatively, home folders and shared group folders can be accessed using SMB/CIFS/SAMBA protocol — commonly known as "Microsoft Windows Network." This method is insecure and does not work well for remote file access over the Internet. Although, it is used on desktop computers permanently located on site and connected to our firewalled network by cable. If you insist on using this method remotely, you must use VPN software provided by FAS to connect to the campus network first, and then access your home folder or shared group folder. This is required both technically and to maintain compliance with Mass law 201 CMR 17.04 paragraph 3. For detailed instruction on how to map network drive see Mapping Network Drive

Secure Shell

Anyone with a Physics account can use an SSH client to access their files and other resources. You will need your Physics username, Unix password (same as your e-mail password) and a good SSH client to connect to login.physics.harvard.edu (not physics.harvard.edu, you must use the login server). Clients which don't do 'keyboard interactive' authentication will not work. Although, most newer SSH clients will work correctly.

Remote Shell Access

Linux - Open an Xterm or Terminal window. Type
```
ssh username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
and enter your password when prompted.
Mac OSX - Open Terminal (in Applications/Utilities). Type
```
ssh username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
and enter your password when prompted.
Run Matlab remotely - Open a terminal window, type
```
ssh -X username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
once logged in, type
```
matlab
```
Linux/Unix/Mac X11 If you want to run a graphical program, such as Matlab, from a Linux, Unix or Mac running X11 (or an X11 equivalent), you need to add "-X" after the ssh command.
```
ssh -X username@login.physics.harvard.edu
```
Windows - You will need to install an SSH client. FAS provides SecureCRT to current Harvard affiliates at FAS Software Download (be sure to select 'keyboard interactive' for Authentication method), or you can use SSH Secure Shell Client 3.2.9

Note:

We are unable to troubleshoot remote connections. If you are able to see the physics home page via a web browser, you should be able to connect remotely, but some ISPs do block certain ports and we can do nothing to resolve that. If you are having trouble connecting, you should try using the FAS VPN client which connects you to the Harvard network (requires a valid/known FAS account password).

Search

Navigation