Initiating a session to VRDC6401

We will want to create a session configuration for vrdc6401, the current VirtualRDC. You only need to create the session configuration once, afterwards, you will just use the existing session profile to connect and establish the tunnel. The example uses SecureShell, instructions for using PuTTy will be provided in the near future.

Note that the pictures may refer to ``yeehaa.ciser.cornell.edu''. Please replace with ``vrdc6401.vrdc.cornell.edu'' where appropriate.

• First, set up a standard session to vrdc6401. In your SSH client click on the ``Quick Connect'' button (Figure 21 for SSH Secure Shell Client)

  Figure 21: The Quick Connect button, Secure Shell Client

  

• Fill in the information (Host Name is ``vrdc6401.vrdc.cornell.edu'', your User Name, and the rest as is) (Figure 22).

  Figure 22: The Quick Connect dialog

  

• If this is the first time you connect to vrdc6401.vrdc.cornell.edu, then you will be prompted if you want to accept the identifying key provided by the server (Figure 23). This is fine the first time around, but if this occurs in later connection attempts, then it means either that changes have occurred on the server, or that you are not connecting to the server you thought you were connecting to (a so-called ``man-in-the-middle'' attack).

  Figure 23: Verifying the identity of the server

  

• You will then be prompted to enter your password (Figure 24).

  Figure 24: Password prompt

  

• Currently, there is a ``bug'' in the connection, requiring you to click on ``OK'' a second time. (Figure 25)

  Figure 25: Password prompt bug

  

• Once connected, you have the option to save the settings to a ``profile''. Give the profile a name (``vrdc6401'' would be fine), and save. (Figure 26)

Figure 26: Saving the profile