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On-Demand Connection to VT Advanced Research Computing (ARC)

Important: OpenOnDemand connections to ARC are only used in this course to setup SSH keys.

Background

In this course we will use the Linux operating system for most programming assignments and performance studies.

In particular, we will access remote computers running Linux. These systems are managed by Virginia Tech's Advanced Research Computing (ARC) service and are shared resources supporting academic research and classroom instruction for everyone at the university. As the semester unfolds, we will explore the capabilities of these services with greater detail.

It is most likely that your laptops run the Microsoft Windows or macOS Operating Systems (OS). While some aspects of these OS's are similar to Linux, you will likely find working with the Command Line Interface (CLI) to be new.

Note, if you are already familiar with Linux or run Linux natively on a computer you own, you are still required to use the ARC systems. Graded assignments are expected to work in the ARC environment.

One ARC computing resource that we will be using is called TinkerCliffs. See this web page for more information.

Important

To access VT's ARC systems, you must be on campus or connected to the Virginia Tech VPN.

This is true for both OpenOnDemand and standard ssh connections. If you connect from off-campus, you will need to install and use the VPN software (Pulse Secure).

If you have trouble with the VPN, contact 4-HELP: 4help.vt.edu

Connect to ARC OpenOnDemand

  1. Be sure that you have the Duo Mobile 2-factor authentication installed and configured (https://it.vt.edu/projects/2factor.html).

  2. Setup and connect to the VPN service for "all VT traffic," following the instructions here: https://www.nis.vt.edu/ServicePortfolio/Network/RemoteAccess-VPN.html

  3. Students are automatically authorized to use the VPN, so you should be able to skip directly to the installation instructions.

  4. If you already have the VPN client installed, attempt to connect and be sure that you have applied any required updates.

  5. In a web browser go to ARC OpenOnDemand: https://ood.arc.vt.edu/

You will get an error if you are off campus and attempt to load this page without an active VPN connection.

  1. You may be asked to login with your VT PID.

  2. From top menu on this page, under the "Clusters" heading, select "TinkerCliffs Shell Access", which should load a command line interface (likely in a new browser tab).

Outcome

When logging into TinkerCliffs via OpenOnDemand successfully, the following output in the terminal (inside a browser tab) appears. 

Last login: Tue Jul 25 15:06:40 2023 from 2607:b400:26:0:6851:65:3236:5a8b
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| This computer is the property of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State |
| University. Use of this equipment implies agreement to the university’s   |
| Acceptable Use Policy (Policy 7000). For more information, please visit:  |
| https://vt.edu/acceptable-use.html                                        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NOTE: VT Enterprise Directory Password authentication requires a DUO      |
|       second factor challenge.  After your password is provided, you      |
|       will receive a DUO challenge.                                       |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
You will see at the bottom of the command line a prompt like this 
<your_vt_pid>@tinkercliffs1 ~]$ _