Connecting to stdsun (Solaris desktop)

Connecting to stdsun (Solaris desktop)

Many students want to connect to a Solaris desktop from home, so they can use emacs, fill out timesheets, and do other graphical things--because a terminal window just won't cut it. One way to do this is to follow the CSE instructions to set up Xwin, except change the command to [Xsession]. This will work, but it will also run slower than a 386 SX with the turbo button off.

The Faster Way: VNC

VNC provides a much less laggy connection to Solaris. Here's how to get there.

Stuff To Do Only Once

  1. Download and install any SSH client. You can use Xwin, or you can find a free one online.
  2. Download and install a free version of VNC. You'll want to install the Windows version of "VNC viewer", specifically.
  3. Set the SSH client up to connect to stdsun.cse.ohio-state.edu (port 22).
  4. Connect using your CSE username and password.
  5. Type: subscribe
  6. If CONTRIB is not starred, select the number that corresponds to it to subscribe.
  7. Quit the subscribe program and log out completely (to finish subscribing).

How to Log In

  1. Log into the cse system via SSH, as above.
  2. Type: vncserver
  3. Hit enter twice.
  4. You'll see something that says you have a new desktop named [greekletter]:[num], where [greekletter] is a greek letter like kappa or mu, and [num] is a small number.
  5. Leave SSH open and run VNC viewer.
  6. Connect to [greekletter].cse.ohio-state.edu:[num] and use your CSE username and password, again.
  7. You're in! You should have a Solaris desktop through VNC.
  8. IMPORTANT: When you are finished, be sure to type in the SSH window: vncserver -kill :[num]
If you don't log out properly you'll leave a bunch of sessions open, and that makes the CSE people cross. So do log out of your sessions! If you have any questions about how this is supposed to work, feel free to contact me.

- Annatala Wolf

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