Logging in to HPC clusters
Logging into the HPC clusters for command line sessions.
A lot of work on the HPC clusters is done via the command line. In order to connect and log in, you must have access to a terminal session through your local computer. Any external command-line sessions will connect to the HPC clusters using Secure Shell Protocol (ssh).
Cluster front-ends / login machines:
Research computing administers two separate sets of nodes/clusters. One on main-campus ("Sciclone") and one at VIMS ("Chesapeake). Requesting an HPC account gets you access to both. However, the VIMS cluster is typically reserved for VIMS users only and the main-campus cluster is used by both main-campus and VIMS users (due to having many more resources available).
The Sciclone cluster has multiple "front-ends/login" servers used to connect to the desired subcluster within the main or VIMS campus cluster. See: Node Types and Subclusters for the list of subclusters available and front-ends.
Connecting from your local computer:
For Linux and Mac computers, we recommend using ssh though a command-line terminal (for Mac OS, the "terminal" program will work). For Windows users, we recommend the Windows PowerShell. However, we also include documentation for ssh connections through terminal programs such as PuTTY or MobaXterm for Windows
When on the main- or VIMS campus network, one can log in directly to HPC front-end machines (e.g. bora.sciclone.wm.edu, james.hpc.vims.edu, etc.) using ssh and one of the programs mentioned above.
One way for Mac and Windows users can easily join the campus network from off-campus is via the main-campus or VIMS Virtual Private Network (VPN). Please contact W&M IT support (support@wm.edu) for questions regarding the W&M VPN or submit a ticket request to VIMS ITNS for questions about the VIMS VPN. Note that file-transfers to and from the HPC cluster can be slower than normal depending on the current VPN traffic.
For users that want to conncet to the HPC clusters from off-campus and don't want to use a VPN, one can connect via the W&M IT bastion host. The W&M IT bastion host replaces stat.wm.edu for ssh access from off-campus.
The bastion host (bastion.wm.edu) doesn't not allow users to actually log in, it must be used as a proxy or jumphost when making an ssh connection. The bastion host also uses either DUO 2FA or SSH keys for added security, therefore you must have DUO set up or you must install an SSH pulic key before trying to connect. See: https://code.wm.edu/IT/bastion-host-instructions for more information on installing a public key.
Notice, currently code.wm.edu does not allow affiliates to log in. Please continue to use 2FA or send a ticket to [[hpc-help]] for help with this.
- Help on connecting to HPC from a Linux computer
- Help on connecting to HPC from a Mac computer
- Help on connecting to HPC from a Windows computer
