Using Cygwin for an X-Windows Connection to an RCS Remote Access Computer

 

Virtual Private Network

From off campus it is necessary to use the VPN client. To set up the VPN, you will need to download the VPN client from the Rensselaer web site. The VPN client is available from http://helpdesk.rpi.edu - follow the Networking link to Wireless Computing to Cisco VPN Client for Windows. Download and install the VPN application.

Using Cygwin

Cygwin is a set of applications that will allow you to use applications that are running on a local RPI server. You will be able to display the application on your windows desktop and use the application in a GUI format.

Connection speeds

Dial up is too slow for this setup. While running a test over the local Troy NY cable modem system (Road Runner), response was adequate but not fast. Patience is required.

Installing Cygwin

You will need a fast network connection to the internet. These instructions assume your computer is running Windows XP with Service Pack 2.

  1. Using a web browser connect to http://www.cygwin.com.
  2. Click on the Install Cygwin Now button on the right side of the browser window.
  3. Depending on your version of Windows, the windows and buttons may be slightly different. In the File Download window, select Run (or Open).
  4. In the Security Warning window, select Run even though the publisher could not be verified.
  5. In the Cygwin Setup window, click on the Next button.
  6. In the Cygwin Setup – Choose Installation Type window, select Install from Internet and click Next.
  7. In the Cygwin Setup – Choose Installation Directory window, the default Root Directory for the cygwin installation is C:\cygwin which for most installations is fine. These instructions assume the default directory C:\cygwin is chosen. If you choose a different directory, make the appropriate substitutions later on. For the Install for option, select All Users and in the Default Text File Type field, select Unix / binary. Click Next.
  8. In the Cygwin Setup – Select Local Package Directory window, enter C:\cygwin\installationfiles in the Local Package Directory field. Click Next.
  9. In the Cygwin Setup – Select Connection Type window, select Direct Connection or whatever is appropriate for your network configuration. Click Next.
  10. In the Cygwin Setup – Choose Download Site(s) window, select http://mirror.mcs.anl.gov from the Available Download Sites list. The versions and default settings for the packages varies with the download site. You may experience some minor problems if you choose a different download site. Click Next.
  11. In the Cygwin Setup – Select Packages window, scroll down the Category list to the Net options. Click on the plus sign (+) just to the left of Net and the download options in Net will open. Scroll down to the openssh package – now click on the Skip button at the left of openssh. This will select the openssh packages for download.
  12. Still in the Category list, scroll down to the X11 options and do the same as above for the xorg-x11-base: Cygwin/X base and xterm:Xterm- X terminal. Note that prerequisite packages will automatically be chosen for each package you select. Choose any other packages you might wish to install. Click Next.
  13. Please wait (15 to 30 minutes) while the packages you have chosen are downloaded and installed.
  14. In the Cygwin Setup – Create Icons windows, select where you want cygwin icons created. Click Finish.
  15. Click OK in the Cygwin Setup window.

Running applications

These instructions start the X-Windows environment on your computer, connect to the RCS Sun remote access server, and start the printerchooser application. This is an example of opening a GUI application that is running on the remote access server and being displayed on your Windows desktop. You may be using a different server for your course work, but this example will determine if you can properly display the graphical application on your local workstation.

  1. On your computer, select Start —> All Programs —> Cisco VPN Client —> RPI_External_VPN.
  2. Log into RPI using your RCS userid and password. If you do not have your userid, send email to consult@rpi.edu.
  3. On your computer, select Start —> All Programs —> Cygwin —> Cygwin Bash Shell.
  4. Upper and lower case are significant when entering commands in the Cygwin bash shell ~ window.
    Enter XWin -multiwindow -clipboard -logfile /dev/null & at the Cygwin command prompt. A black X should appear on the right side of the Task Bar indicating X-Windows is running in the background. Press the Enter key one more time to get the command prompt.
  5. At the Cygwin command prompt, enter export DISPLAY=127.0.0.1:0
  6. At the Cygwin command prompt, enter
    ssh -Y -l <RCS_userID> rcs-sun1.rpi.edu
    to connect to the RCS Sun remote access server, replacing <RCS_userID> with your RCS userID. If prompted, enter yes in response to the RSA1 key fingerprint question. Enter your RCS password when prompted.
  7. After the login to the RCS Sun remote access server completes, enter
    printerchooser & at the RCS command prompt. On your windows desktop, a window for selecting campus printers should open. If this works you have successfully setup and configured Cygwin.
  8. You will receive instructions on running your course applications from your Instructor. There are Sun, IBM, and SGI remote access servers and you maybe accessing them. As an example, to access the IBM remote access server use
    ssh –Y –l <RCS_userID> rcs-ibm3.rpi.edu
  9. When you are done using the RCS remote access server, exit any programs you were using. At the RCS command prompt, enter logout.
  10. After the connection to the RCS remote access server closes, right click on the large black X in the Task Bar. Select Exit from the pop-up menu. In the Cygwin/X – Exit? window, click on Exit.
  11. Enter exit at the Cygwin command prompt to terminate Cygwin.