X11 forwarding

Main page: User Guide

If you want to use certain GUI-based tools then you need to make sure that you are connected to the head node of the cluster with X11 forwarding enabled in your SSH client. This will allow an application on the cluster to display graphics on your desktop.

Unix and MacOS X

Users need to run the X11 server on their desktops. If you are running any window manager then you already have the X11 server installed. When you connect to the head node you must also use the -X option for the SSH client

 $ ssh -X servername.ace-net.ca

Windows

• You can use the all-in-one tool MobaXterm that combines the ssh client, X11 server and SFTP client. By default X11 forwarding is enabled. If for some reason you need to disable it, start MobaXTerm, go to Settings » Configuration » SSH , and deselect the X11-Forwarding box.
• Alternatively, you can use a combination of PuTTY and an X11 server, such as XMing or Cygwin/X. You will need to enable X11 forwarding in PuTTY. This option can be found on the treeview in the PuTTY configuration dialogue: Connection » SSH » X11 » Enable X11 forwarding.

Test

A simple test of whether you have X11 working properly is to log on to a cluster and type

$ xclock

It should open a simple clock application new window looking something like this: