As a shared computing resource, all work done on the DKUCC must be done by submitting jobs to the scheduler. Login nodes must not be used to execute computing tasks.
Acceptable use of login nodes include:
- lightweight file transfers,
- script and configuration file editing,
- job submission and monitoring,
- BaseSpace BaseMount – users can use basemount to mount BaseSpace into their home directories.
To minimize disruption and ensure a comfortable working environment for users, resource limits are enforced on login nodes, and processes started there will automatically be terminated if their resource usage (including CPU time, memory and run time) exceed those limits.
Web Access
Users who are not comfortable using the command line can access the DKUCC through Open OnDemand, which provides a access to interactive sessions on the DKUCC through your browser. The Open OnDemand service. provides acesss to the DKUCC through Jupyter, or Linux desktop sessions.
SSH Access
Login to the DKUCC using ssh netid@dkucc-login-01.oit.duke.edu, (note: VPN is required if you are not connected to DKU network).
A word on ssh clients
Linux and MacOS systems generally come with a SSH client already installed and you can ssh directly from a terminal window. For Windows users you will need an ssh client such as PuTTY. Advanced users may consider installing WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), see installation instructions here, but beware DKUCC support staff do not offer support for your local computer and software installations. Other ssh clients may work or not, but beware of clients that create persistent sessions to the DKUCC.
Users may connect to the DKUCC login nodes using VSCode to troubleshoot code and manage scripts. However, VSCode SHOULD NOT BE USED for computationally intense tasks on login nodes or on compute nodes via common or scavenger partitions. If you would like to execute code using VSCode, connect to OnDemand and run your code interactively using the CodeServer option.
SSH Keys
Setting up ssh keys from your workstation will greatly simplify the login and file transfer process by creating a secure key based session between your workstation and the DKUCC.
Step 1. To generate a key pair on a Macintosh or Linux machine(your local device):
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
The public key generated will be stored in the file:
~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
Step 2. View and copy your ssh key:
cat ~/ssh/id_rsa.pub
Step 3. Add your public key to your Duke profile by copying to your “SSH Public keys” under “Advanced User Options” at: idms-web.oit.duke.edu/portal.
Step 4. Test your connection. Note Enter passphrase for key should display instead of Password
kk338@CDSS-5630 ~ % ssh kk338@dkucc-login-01.oit.duke.edu
Enter passphrase for key '/Users/kk338/.ssh/id_rsa':
Last login: Tue Dec 21 11:13:41 2021 from xxx
################################################################################
# MOTD #
# My patch window is wednesday 03:00 # ################################################################################
kk338@dkucc-login-01 ~ $
View more general information about ssh public key authentication at ssh.com.
