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Computing Science Labs, Access, Use, and Useful Information


Available Computing Resources

For CMPT 102, you have access to the Linux study area in the Computing Science Instructional Lab (CSIL). CSIL includes several labs used for computer science courses. You are authorized to use all the LINIX computers in ASB 9838. For your information A map showing the entire CSIL facility and indicating the computers in ASB 9838 which you may use, and maps showing the location of the CSIL labs are available below.

Access to CSIL

The CSIL labs are a controlled access facility. There are two levels of access control
  • You will need an access card to enter the CSIL labs. For additional information ...
  • You must sign and return an ethics form. By signing the ethics for you agree to abide by the policies of SFU and of the School of Computing Science. Links to the policies you are agreeing to follow when you sign your ethics form are given below You will not be able to use any of the computers in the CSIL labs until your ethics form is returned and processed. It usually takes at least one business day to process an ethics form.

Approaches to completing assignments and labs

There are three main ways to complete your assignments and labs:
  1. You may use the Linux computers in the CSILlab by visiting the CSIL labs.
  3. You may work on your own personal computer.
  5. You may use the Linux computers in the CSIL by remotely logging in from your home, using your home computer and the internet.
The first option above is the suggested approach and will be much simpler for you. If you must work at home or on your own personal computer you will need to consider the second two options. Options 2 and 3 above will require that you install additional software on your personal computer. What you need to install will depend on the type of computer you use at home (Windows, Linux, Mac).

Some suggestions on software solutions that will enable you to work at home and/or access the CSIL labs remotely are provided below. Since I am familiar with Linux and Windows, detailed solutions for these two cases are supplied. These are suggestions I have tested, you may know of other solutions that will also work well. These suggestions and instructions have been tested in several common configurations, the tested configurations may not exactly match your home computer or home computer network. Therefore, these solutions cannot be guaranteed to work in all cases. They will work in the most common situations.

Solution for users of Windows computers

SOLUTION #1: Work at home on your own computer or connect to the CSIL labs and work remotely on the computers in CSIL.
Install a system called Cygwin. This is a large system that allows you to run a Linux like system in a special command window on your Windows machine. Instructions on how to install the Cygwin system with options needed for CMPT 102 assignments are available ( Instructions for Installing Cygwin ). Once you have installed Cygwin it is easy to use either on your computer, or using your computer and the internet to access and work on the Linux computers in the CSIL lab.
  • To use your home machine to develop solutions to assignments
    • Open a Cygwin window by clicking on the Cygwin icon on your desktop or in your start meunu
    • Start the Linux like system by typing the command
      ~/startkde
      It will take some time to initialize the system, many messages will appear in your Cygwin window.
    • A KDE task bar should appear at the bottom of your screen.
    • Select Kate from the KDE start menu, and work just as you would in the lab
    • REMEMBER: you are working on your local machine. Once you have the solution to your assignment or lab completed then transfer the solution file to a machine in CSIL lab and test it there to be sure it works properly. Then you know you have your solution ready for submission.
    • When your are done close the KDE task bar by entering the following command into the Cygwin window.
      kdeinit_shutdown
      Note: that trying to close the task bar in any other way will not work properly. that trying to close the task bar in any other way will not work properly. If you shut down in any other way you will likely have to log off or reboot to reinitialize your computer.
    • When the KDE task bar has shut down then you can close your Cygwin window
  • To work on CSIL machines using your home computer for access
    1. This approach can be frustrating and is suggested only for final testing of assignments. The delay introduced by having to send each editor command to the CSIL then back to you is significant. Each time you type a command you will need to wait for the response before you continue.
    2. Make sure you have an active internet connection to your Windows computer
    3. First log on to fraser using the following command
      ssh   -l your_username   -X   fraser.sfu.ca
      As an example consider the following case,
      ssh   -l   jregan   -X   fraser.sfu.ca
      If you have not logged into fraser before you will receive a message like the one shown below. Simply reply with a yes so that fraser is added to your list of acceptable computers to contact.
      The authenticity of host 'fraser.sfu.ca (199.99.99.99)' can't be established.
      DSA key fingerprint is 3e:c4:a0:f9:89:4e:4e:4b:d2:d1:3d:86:8d:55:31:b4.
      Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
      Warning: Permanently added 'ddraig.cs.sfu.ca,199.60.14.38' (DSA) to the list of known hosts.
      jregan@ddraig.cs.sfu.ca's password:
      If you have logged in before you should be asked for your password immediately. After providing your password you will be logged on to fraser. This means that any command you type will now be processed by fraser. Please do not work on your assignment on fraser. fraser is a computer to be used to access to other computers only.
    4. Next log into one of the CSIL computers using the command
      ssh   -X   CSIL_computer_name.csil.sfu.ca
      As an example consider the following case, in this case the command is followed by the expected results.

      jregan@fraser 6) ssh kiwi.csil.sfu.ca
      jregan@kiwi.csil.sfu.ca's password: *********
      Last login: Sat Sep 2 19:43:18 2006 from fraser.sfu.ca
      Red Hat Software Inc. LINUX Enterprise August 2006 kiwi.csil.sfu.ca

      +============================================================================+
      | By logging in this computer, you accept responsibility for this computer |
      | account, and will be held accountable for any computer use or activity |
      | that does not conform to and bide by the Policy and Procedure on the Fair |
      | Use of Information Resources (GP24) established by Simon Fraser University |
      | These Policies and Procedures can be found on-line through the WWW, URL |
      | http://www.sfu.ca/policies/. |
      | |
      | USE OF THIS COMPUTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR CMPT REGISTERED STUDENTS ONLY! |
      +============================================================================+

      .........And more login messages not shown here

      1: jregan_kiwi%
    5. IMPORTANT NOTE: notice that the prompt tells you which machine you are presently working on
    6. type kate to start the Kate editor. Develop your assignment or lab solution
    7. When you are done exit from Kate.
    8. Logout from the csil computer. You are now working on fraser again.
    9. Logout from fraser. You are now using your own home computer again.
    10. When your are done close the KDE task bar by entering the following command into the Cygwin window.
      kdeinit_shutdown
      Note: that trying to close the task bar in any other way will not work properly. If you shut down in any other way you will likely have to log off or reboot to reinitialize your computer.
    11. When the KDE task bar has shut down then you can close your Cygwin window
* CMPT 102 Information Page * Course Central * Computing Science Home *

Janice Regan, last modified September 4, 2006

Webmaster: jregan@cs.sfu.ca