How to Access the Cluster

In this tutorial, you will learn how to log into the TAMUCC high-performance computing environment, CREST.
You will be led to both the web management interface and the more useful terminal interface.

Canto I: Prerequisites

To get any further than the cluster's gate, you need to already have an account on the CREST system.
If you do not know whether or not you have an account, the easiest way to verify is to simply attempt a login as described in the next step.
The second thing that you need is a program that supports SSH access to a remote server. What program you choose depends on what operating system you are using.

If WINDOWS, download and install Putty:

Navigate in your browser to http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgta ... nload.html.
Scroll down to For Windows on Intel x86, and click on putty.exe.

cluster hpc

If LINUX or MAC:

an SSH client is installed by default.
To navigate to the SSH client in MAC:
- Type the word "terminal" in the search box.
- Click in "Terminal" to launch the client.

terminal

To navigate to the SSH client in Linux:

ssh

As Linux distributions vary, so does the choice of client.
You are more than likely to have a number SSH clients installed to choose from.
Due to Ubuntu's widespread use, we will use it for demonstration*.
- Navigate to the application search by clicking the Ubuntu logo in the toolbar.
- Type the word "terminal" in the search box.

terminal typing

Click on "Terminal" to launch the client. 

Canto II: Connect via browser

Click the link to CREST's management page: https://crest-head.tamucc.edu/userportal

bright cluster manager

Use your Islander credentials to login.
If the login is successful, then you have a CREST account.
If the login is unsuccessful (and you have ensured no typos in the password), then contact the Applications Admin for assistance:hpc-support@tamucc.edu

Logged in, you may view various details related to the cluster such as the number of cores, nodes, online users, running jobs, etc.

Canto III: Connect via SSH

If WINDOWS, 

Find where you saved it (most likely your Downloads folder), and run the putty executable.
Having launched the program, enter the following details:

Host Name (or IP address) : crest-login.tamucc.edu
Port : 22  Click Open to connect to the server

You will be prompted for your Islander credentials
Do not panic if it appears that you cannot type your password. For security, it does not print what you are typing.
Simply type in the password and press enter.
If the login was successful, you are now in the terminal environment.
If the login is unsuccessful (and you have ensured no typos in the password), then contact the Applications Admin for assistance: hpc-support@tamucc.edu

If LINUX or MAC,

Launch your terminal program
Access HPCM with the SSH command, replacing <islander ID> with your actual ID.

ssh <islander ID>@crest-login.tamucc.edu

ssh island id

You should then be prompted for a password, in which you respond with your Islander password
If the login was successful, you are now in the terminal environment.

terminal after login

If the login is unsuccessful (and you have ensured no typos in the password), then contact the Applications Admin for assistance: hpc-support@tamucc.edu

 

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