X Forwarding

Introduction

If you are connecting to the Linux Grace systems using a Windows/Mac computer, you may find it very useful to download and install an X server. An X server lets you open windows from the Grace systems onto your machines. If you have an application that relies on a graphical user interface (e.g., emacs) you need to have an X server in your machine.

Below we provide information on how to install X servers in your machines based on the kind of computer you have.

X Forwarding in Mac

• Install (XQuartz)
• Start XQuartz and open a terminal (Applications, Terminal). In a terminal window type the following command to connect to linux grace:
  
  ssh -X directory-id@linux.grace.umd.edu
  
  
• You can verify that your installation by:
  • Creating a terminal window - Type xterm & on the command line.
  • Running emacs - Type emacs & on the command line.

X Forwarding in Windows Using Mobaxterm

If you are using Mobaxterm there is no need to install any X server as it is already included with Mobaxterm. There is nothing else you need to do (ignore the information provided below).

X Forwarding in Windows using Xming and PuTTY

• Install Xming - Look for something similar to "Download Xming-6-9-0-31-setup.exe (2.2 MB)" in the previous link.
• Enabling X11 Tunneling in PuTTY
  • Links to PuTTY can be found at SSH Clients.
  • Start PuTTY
  • On the left pane, expand the "Connection" option (click on +).
  • Expand the "SSH" option (click on +) that is under "Connection".
  • Click on X11.
  • Look to the right pane (top section). Check "Enable X11 forwarding".
  • Click on Session (left pane)
  • On the right pane, enter a Host Name (e.g., linux.grace.umd.edu).
  • Under "Saved Sessions" enter a name for your session (e.g., grace).
  • Select the "Save" button.
  • Quit the ssh client since Xming has to be running first for things to work. You only have to complete the steps above once.
  • Run Xming by double-clicking on the desktop icon.
  • Run PuTTY.
  • Under "Saved Sessions" select the entry with the name you provided (it should appear under "Default Settings").
  • Click on the "Open" button to connect.
  • Now you will be able to run applications that cause a window to appear. For example, executing xterm & in your remote system (e.g., grace) will create a new window.
• You can verify that your installation by:
  • Creating a terminal window - Type xterm & on the command line.
  • Running emacs - Type emacs & on the command line.

Web Accessibility