PuTTY
I. Information
PuTTY is a program for Windows which allows you to access the Unity file system from any computer. If you're using a Mac, there is a built-in program called "Terminal" which allows you to accomplish the same thing. For instructions on connecting with Terminal, click here.
Both PuTTY and Terminal connect to the Sun/Unix system, a command-line system which requires a level of knowledge of a number of different commands and can be very difficult to navigate if you are not familiar with it. To help familiarize yourself, you may wish to consult the E115 course page (external link), which helps to explain some of the basic Unix commands to help you get started.
II. Installation
Click the link for PuTTY, and when prompted, save the file to your computer. PuTTY is a stand alone application, so it is ready to run the moment you've copied it to your machine.
III. Setup
- For Host Name, enter "ssh.ncsu.edu". If you have been given a specific server name, enter that instead.
- Set "Protocol" to SSH
- If you need to run applications which may open other windows (such as Nedit, xTracs, or Matlab), you also need to be running an X-program that will allow for the display. For more information on how to get and configure such an application, use the information on the ITECS's Remote Access site.
- Once you have an X-program, click on the Tunnels heading in PuTTY. You may need to click the + sign next to the SSH heading to reveal the Tunnels heading. Make sure the checkbox next to "Enable X11 Forwarding" is checked.
- Click 'Open' to open the connection you have defined. You will be prompted to login with yuor Unity ID and password and, if cussecuful, should see a 'unity%' prompt. From there you may enter commands as needed.
- To close, type 'logout' at the 'unity%' prompt. The window should close itself automaticlly.
Get PuTTY
IV. Licensing
View the licensing information for PuTTY here.
