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CLASSE-IT 2025 Summer Student Guide

Welcome to the CLASSE 2025 REU, SERCCS, SUnRiSE, and PREM programs. This how-to guide will get you started with IT resources at CLASSE.

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CLASSE User Account

Your CLASSE account username is based on your Cornell NetID, but you must give it a different password. A CLASSE account is required for all the services mentioned in this guide. If you have forgotten or need to reset your password please go to our Password Self Service page.

CLASSE Duo

CLASSE has adopted the use of Duo two-factor authentication for enhanced security of web services and remote logins (ssh, X2Go, NoMachine, CLASSE VPN). CLASSE Duo uses the exact same app as Cornell's Duo service (no new installation needed), although a separate CLASSE registration is required. To enroll and manage your two-factor devices, please log into the CLASSE Duo Device Manager with your CLASSE account:

Manage your CLASSE Duo devices


Virtual Private Network (CLASSE VPN)

If your computer isn't connected directly to a CLASSE network, you might need to start the CLASSE VPN to access some CLASSE services. The Campus wireless networks are considered external to the Lab and thus will require use of the VPN.
For details and installation instructions, see CLASSEVPN

CLASSE Remote Access Services

NoMachine

NoMachine is the preferred graphical remote access tool and is needed to run most Linux applications offered at CLASSE. NoMachine can be used to access lnx201.classe.cornell.edu, our general-use remote login node. Any CPU or memory-intensive operations should be run on the CLASSE Compute Farm or on individual workstations, not on lnx201.

Client Installation and Configuration

Download and install the free "NoMachine Enterprise Client" from: https://www.nomachine.com/product&p=NoMachine%20Enterprise%20Client

Choose the configuration from the options below:

LNX201 - Remote node for general-use

  1. Download the "lnx201" configuration file by right-clicking and "Save File As..."-> lnx201
  2. Double-click on the downloaded file to launch NoMachine
    • The first time connecting, click "Yes" to accept the remote host certificate and verify its identity.
  3. Login with your CLASSE username and password.
  4. Click on "Create a new desktop or custom session".
  5. Click on the "New Desktop" tab.
  6. Choose the default display settings.
  7. A virtual desktop session on lnx201 will open.

CLASSE Compute Farm - Remote node for CPU or memory-intensive applications (Mathmatica, Matlab, Ansys, etc)

  1. Download the "CLASSE_Grid" configuration file by right-clicking and "Save File As..."-> CLASSE_GRID
  2. Double-click on the downloaded file to launch NoMachine
    • The first time connecting, click "Yes" to accept the remote host certificate and verify its identity.
  3. Login with your CLASSE username and password.
  4. Click on "Create a new desktop or custom session". A new window will appear titled "CLASSE GRID"
  5. Choose the application you want to run from the dropdown list
  6. Click on "Run".

Linux Applications at CLASSE

Ansys

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Terminal-xfce4 from the list of application in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run - This will open a new terminal window
  4. Type the command to open Ansys_2021R2:
    /nfs/opt/ansys_2021-R2/bin/workbench

COMSOL

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Terminal-xfce4 from the list of application in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run - This will open a new terminal window
  4. Type the command to open COMSOL:
    /nfs/opt/COMSOL/52/bin/comsol

GPT

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Terminal-xfce4 from the list of application in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run - This will open a new terminal window
  4. Type the command to open GPT (Please ask your mentor)

Linux Command Line (ls, cd, mv, find, grep etc)

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Terminal-xfce4 from the list of application in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run - This will open a new terminal window
  4. Type the command needed (see table below)
Command Task Example Syntax
ls To list the files in a directory. ls [/tmp]
cd To move into a directory. cd [/tmp]
pwd To show current working directory. pwd
cp To copy a file to another filename or into another directory. cp [file.txt] [/tmp/file.txt]
mv To rename or move a file into another directory. mv [file.txt] [file1.txt]
rm To delete a file. rm [file.txt]
mkdir To create a directory. mkdir [mydir]
find To find a file. find [/tmp] -name [file]
grep To search for text string inside a file. grep [text] [/tmp/file.txt]
less To view the text of a text file, one screen at a time less [/tmp/file.txt]
man To see detailed information about command useage. man [ls]
exit To exit and logout of a Terminal (Terminal-xfce4) session. exit

Other useful shortcuts:
Keystroke Action
up-arrow Show the previous command in your history
tab Complete a command or filename

Mathematica

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Mathmatica from the list of applications in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run

Matlab

  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Matlab from the list of applications in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run

Thunar - The Linux File Explorer

Like the "Windows File Explorer", Thunar is a modern file manager.
  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Thunar from the list of applications in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run

Text Editors

For a list of available text editors, please see TextEditors. To use any of these editors, simply select it in the CLASSE Grid Session menu. Any editor can also be launched from the Linux command line interface.
How To Launch Emacs:
  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Emacs from the list of applications in the dropdown menu
  3. Click on Run
How To Launch Visual Studio Code:
  1. Connect to your CLASSE Grid Session in NoMachine
  2. Select Terminal-xfce4 from the list of application in the dropdown menu
  3. Type the command:
    code

File Storage at CLASSE

IMPORTANT: To access CLASSE's central file storage, you must be on a CLASSE network. If your computer is connected to RedRover, eduroam or any other non-CLASSE network, please first connect to the CLASSE VPN.

Project Files

Most files should stored in the dedicated project space allocated to each research group. Please consult with your mentor on where to store your data and the exact path to any project files that you might need.

User Files

In addition to dedicated project space, user files can be stored in your directory on our UserDisk. Please note that your user directory has a 5 GB quota, so most of your work should be stored in dedicated project areas as described above. Finally, your HomeDisk has a 1 GB quota and should be reserved for essential Linux files like login scripts, browser preferences, source code, etc. Please read HomeDisk, UserDisk, and DataStewardship for more information.

Operating System Share point Path (userid = your username)
Linux UserDisk /nfs/user/userid
  HomeDisk /home/userid
Windows 10 UserDisk \\samba.classe.cornell.edu\user\userid
  HomeDisk \\samba.classe.cornell.edu\home\userid
macOS UserDisk smb://samba.classe.cornell.edu/user/userid
  HomeDisk smb://samba.classe.cornell.edu/home/userid

Accessing Files from Offsite

Connectivity and performance to the file locations above is very dependent on the quality of your internet connection. Because of these performance issues, we highly recommend using Globus when accessing files from outside the lab.

Globus

Globus is a high-speed file transfer system that was originally developed for Grid computing applications. You can use it to copy data remotely from CLASSE central storage to your local computer by following the instructions below:
  1. Browse to https://www.globus.org
  2. Click on "Log In" in the upper-right corner.
  3. Use the scroll-down menu to find Cornell University and then login with your Cornell NetID.
  4. Install Globus Connect personal (For detailed instructions with screenshots see here: https://www.globus.org/globus-connect-personal.)
  5. Connect to a CLASSE endpoint
    1. Click on "Manage Data", and select "Transfer Files".
    2. Click on "Start here ..." and type classe into the search box. You should see the endpoint for "CLASSE" with a path of "/~/".
    3. Select a CLASSE endpoint (add infor for "project path") and log in with your CLASSE credentials.
  6. Connect to your personal endpoint
    1. Click on "Manage Data", and select "Transfer Files".
    2. Click on the second "Endpoint" box, and then the "My Endpoints" tab.
    3. Select the personal endpoint you set up in Step II above.
      • Note that Globus Connect Personal must be running on your computer.
  7. Transfer Files
    1. Navigate through the folders/directories on both endpoints, and use the arrow buttons to transfer data back and forth as desired.
    2. To monitor the progress of a data transfer, click on "Activity".
    3. You will receive an email after each transfer has completed.

Printing at CLASSE

IMPORTANT: To print to a CLASSE printer, you must be on a CLASSE network. If your computer is connected to RedRover, eduroam or any other non-CLASSE network, please first connect to the CLASSE VPN.

Printing from Windows

To add a printer to non-CLASSE managed Win 10 systems:
  1. Browse to PrinterLogic Cloud using Vivaldi:
  2. Log in with your CLASSE credentials.
  3. When prompted install the browser extension.
  4. Then install the PrinterLogic cloud client software.
  5. Browse by building for the printer you want to add.
  6. Click on the Printer Name you want to add.
  7. Say "Yes" to install the printer.

Printing from macOS

To add a printer to all macOS systems
Click on the Apple menu in the upper left of your screen and select System Preferences
  1. Click on the Printers & Scanners (10.7.x and later) or Print & Fax (10.6.x and earlier)
  2. Click on the + in the lower left
  3. The add printer window will appear...click on the IPicon (3rd icon from left)
    • for Address: Enter cups.classe.cornell.edu for LPR Printer's Address.
    • for Protocol: make sure Line Printer Daemon - LPD is selected (NOT "Internet Printing Protocol - IPP," etc.)
    • for Queue: Enter the Printer name for the printer you would like installed. Please refer to our PrinterList for the correct name.
    • for Name: Enter the same Queue name that you entered above
    • for Location: Enter the room location of the printer, e.g. W229
    • for Use: Select Generic PostScript Printer (preferred)

Computing Policies and Guidelines

Think before you click!

We see fraudulent emails every day, and they can be quite sophisticated, even appearing to come from someone you know. Make sure you are on a Cornell website before typing in your Cornell password. When in doubt:

Getting Help

If you have any computing questions: For help with central Cornell services, contact IT@Cornell.

Notes for CLASSE Mentors

Connecting to your student's desktop

X2Go Desktop Sharing

X2Go Desktop Sharing can be used by you and your student to connect to the same Linux desktop. See X2Go for instructions.
Zoom Desktop Sharing

Zoom can be used on any platform to view or control your student's desktop (or have them connect to yours).
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362673-Requesting-or-giving-remote-control
ScreenConnect

If Zoom or X2Go don't work for what you need, please submit a ServiceRequest and the IT group can help you get setup to use ScreenConnect.

Topic revision: r58 - 29 May 2025, MarlinGuest
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