How can I run X Windows?
X Windows is a protocol for displaying the graphical output of a
program. Generally this is used to run a program on a remote server and
have that program display it's output to a local monitor.
X Windows on Microsoft Windows
The Social Sciences Computing Services has licensed X-Win32. To get the
software installed follow the
instructions here. Once installed use the following steps to
create a connection.
- Step 1 - Start X-Config
from the Start Menu under All Programs / X-Win32 8.2 / X-Config
- Step 2 - Click on the Wizard
button in the dialog box.
- Step 3 - Enter the name with which you want to refer
to this connection and click SSH then on
the Next button in the dialog box.
- Step 4 - Enter the servername in the Host
field (eg. athensx.uchicago.edu, ccpx.uchicago.edu, corinthx.uchicago.edu,
rhodesx.uchicago.edu). Then click the Next
button.
- Step 5 - Enter your SSCS Username into the Login
field, if you are not the only person who uses your machine, or for
added security do not enter your password here. Entering your password
here will allow you to connect without supplying a password
subsequently.
- Step 6 - Click Linux
and then click Finish.
- Step 7 - Click on the connection you just created and
then click on the Launch button.
- Step 8 - On the SSH-Host Key
Verification window, click on Yes.
Then click on X-Win32 License Wizard and
drag it to somewhere visible.
- Step 9 - Choose Network(Floating)
and click OK.
- Step 10 - Rearrange your windows so that X-Win32
License Wizard window is visible. Enter the license key
you obtained when downloading the software into the box and click Next.
- Step 11 - Click Cancel
for X-Win32 Update Tool.Then click Finish
to finish the license update.
- Step 12 - Then you will need to cancel the connection
and launch the connection again to get on the system.
- Step 13 - If you get a Windows Security Alert, click
the Unblock button.
Accessing servers from off-campus
If you are at an off-campus location and need access to the servers,
you will first have to install and configure
University VPN connection. Whenever you are off campus, you
will need to connect with the VPN before starting X-Windows on the
machine.
X Windows on Mac OS X
First download Apple's X11 from http://www.apple.com/macosx/x11/
and install X11.
Double-click on the X11 application.
You will be presented with a command line in an xterm. You can type an
SSH command to the server you would like to connect to. For example
type ssh -X myusername@ccp.spc.uchicago.edu.
You will be prompted for your password. To run a program just type the
name of the program you want to use. You can type a &
after the command to background the program and maintain a free command
line. Common programs people use this way are matlab,
sas, splus, spss
and, xstata. |
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