Linux Timesharing / File Storage

You can use PuTTY to establish an SSH connection to the Linux Timesharing Service. A program called WinSCP can be used to establish an SFTP connection. This section explains how to connect to the Linux Timesharing Service with these two programs. 

Using PuTTY as an SSH Client

1.  If you do not already have PuTTY installed on your Windows computer, open a web browser to http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html. Right click the putty.exe file in the Binaries section and save the file to your desktop.

2.  Double-click the PuTTY icon on your desktop to launch it.

3.  You may get a security warning pop-up window asking if you want to run the software. If you do, click Run.

The PuTTY Configuration window will display. In the Host name field, type linux-ts.it.pitt.edu. Make sure SSH is selected as the Connection type. Enter Linux Timesharing under Saved Sessions and click Save. This will save your settings so you do not have to enter them each time you log in.

Note: After May 2023, the following host names associated with the Solaris-based Unix Timesharing Service will no longer work: unixs.cssd.pitt.edu, unix.cssd.pitt.edu, unixs1.cis.pitt.edu, and unixs.cis.pitt.edu. 

4.  Click the Linux Timesharing option and click Load. This will load your saved session. Next, click Open.

Note: The next time that you use PuTTY, you can simply Load and Open your Saved Session. You do not have to enter the Host Name each time.

5.  The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a security alert window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, click Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, click No or Cancel. This warning should not display again.

6.  Type your University Computing Account username and press the Enter key. Next, type your University Computing Account password and press the Enter key.

7.  The Linux Timesharing Service login window will display. You are now securely connected. 

Installing WinSCP for SFTP

1.  Open a web browser to http://winscp.net/eng/download.php. Click the Installation package link in the Downloading WinSCP section.

Your download should start automatically (Note: If it does not, click the Direct Download link on the page).

2. A pop-up window will ask if you want to run or save the application. Click Run. 

3.  Click Yes in the User Account Control pop-up that appears.

4.  A security warning may display asking if you want to run the software. Click Run.

5.  Select the language for the installation and click OK. The WinSCP Setup Wizard will display. Click Next.

6.  Read the license agreement and click Next.

7.  Select Typical installation and click Next.

8.  Select Norton Commander Interface as the interface style and click Next. 

9.  Click Install to begin the installation process. 

10.  When the installation has been completed, click the Finish button. 

Using WinSCP for SFTP

1.  Double-click the WinSCP icon on your desktop to open the program.

The WinSCP Login window will display. Enter linux-ts.it.pitt.edu in the Host name field. Enter your University Computing Account username and password where prompted. Leave the Port number set to 22. Ensure that the File protocol is set to SFTP and click Save. 

Note: After May 2023, the following host names associated with the Solaris-based Unix Timesharing Service will no longer work: unixs.cssd.pitt.edu, unix.cssd.pitt.edu, unixs1.cis.pitt.edu, and unixs.cis.pitt.edu.

2.  Enter a name for your saved session (for example, Linux Timesharing) and click OK.

3.  Select your Unix Timesharing session and click Login.

Note: The next time that you use WinSCP, you can simply select your stored session and click Login. You do not have to enter the Host Name each time.

4.  The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a security alert window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, click Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, click No or Cancel. This warning should not display again.

5.  You are now securely connected to the Linux Timesharing Service. You can copy files back and forth between your computer (left side of window) and the remote system (right side of window). 

Macs have a built-in SSH client that can be used to access the Linux Timesharing Service. There is also a built-in SFTP capability that can be used to access the Linux Timesharing Service. Also, you can use an SFTP program called Fetch. The built-in utilities for Mac are already configured to use the secure SSH and SFTP connections. This section explains how to connect to the Linux Timesharing Service with these programs.

Using the Built-in SSH Utility

1.  Click the Finder menu, and select Applications. Double-click on the Utilities folder.

2.  Double-click the Terminal application to launch it.

3.  Type ssh username @ linux-ts.it.pitt.edu (where username represents your University Computing Account username) and press Enter.

      Note: After May 2023, the following host names associated with the Solaris-based Unix Timesharing Service will no longer work: unixs.cssd.pitt.edu, unix.cssd.pitt.edu, unixs1.cis.pitt.edu, and unixs.cis.pitt.edu:​

4.  The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a warning window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, answer Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, answer No. This warning should not display again.

5.  Type your University Computing Account password and press the Enter key.

6.  The Linux Timesharing Service login window will display. You are now securely connected. 

Using the Built-in SFTP Utility

1.  Click the Finder menu, and select Applications. Double-click on the Utilities folder.

2.  Double-click the Terminal application to launch it.

3.  Type sftp username @ linux-ts.it.pitt.edu (where username represents your University Computing Account username) and press Enter.     

4.  The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a warning window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, answer Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, answer No. This warning should not display again.

5.  Type your University Computing Account password and press the Enter key.

6.  If you have successfully logged in, an sftp> prompt will display like the one below.

Using Fetch for SFTP

If you use Fetch as an FTP client, complete the following steps to configure it for a secure SFTP connection. 

Note: If Fetch is not already installed on your Mac, you can download it free via the Software Download Service at Pitt.

1.  Go to the Applications folder and double-click the Fetch icon to launch the program. A New Connection window will display.

2.  In the Hostname field, type linux-ts.it.pitt.edu.

3.  In the Username field, type your University Computing Account username.

4.  Set the Connect using drop-down menu to SFTP.

5.  In the Password field, type your University Computing Account password.

6.  Click the Connect button.

     Note: The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a security alert window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, click Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, click No or Cancel. This warning should not display again.

7.  When you have successfully connected, files on the remote system will appear in the window as shown below.

At this point, you can use the Path button to navigate through directories on the remote system. To begin downloading files from the remote system to your local system, select the file you wish to download. Then click the Get button. To begin uploading files to the remote system from your local system, select the file you wish to upload. Then click the Put button.

When you have completed your file transfer and you are ready to disconnect from the remote system, close the connection window.

Linux has a built-in SSH client that can be used to access the Linux Timesharing Service. This built-in utility for Linux is already configured to use the secure SSH connection. Many Linux systems also include an SFTP client. This section explains how to connect to the Linux Timesharing Service with these programs. 

Accessing Linux Timesharing on Linux using the Built-in SSH Utility

A built-in SSH utility is included on Linux workstations. Use SSH instead of rlogin, rsh, or telnet to access the University’s Linux Timesharing Service.

1. After logging in to the Linux workstation, right-click on the desktop and select Open Terminal.

2. At the command prompt from the terminal window, type the following command (where username is your University Computing Account username) and then press Enter.

           ssh username @ linux-ts.it.pitt.edu

 3. The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a warning window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, answer Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, answer No. This warning should not display again.

4. You will be prompted for your password. Type your University Computing Account password and press Enter. You are now securely connected to the University’s Linux Timesharing Service.

5. To terminate your remote login session, type exit and press Enter.

Accessing Linux Timesharing on Linux using Built-in SFTP

A built-in SFTP utility is included on Linux workstations. Use SFTP instead of rlogin, rsh, or telnet to access the University’s Linux Timesharing Service.

1. After logging in to the Linux workstation, right-click on the desktop and select Open Terminal.

2. At the command prompt from the terminal window, type the following command (where username is your University Computing Account username) and then press Enter.

           sftp username @ linux-ts.it.pitt.edu

3. The first time that you connect from your computer to a given host, you will see a warning window like the one below. If the host fingerprint shown in the window matches the fingerprints listed under Connecting for the First Time, answer Yes to accept the host key. Otherwise, answer No. This warning should not display again.

4. You will be prompted for your password. Type your University Computing Account password and press Enter. You are now securely connected to the University’s Linux Timesharing Service.

5. To terminate your remote login session, type exit and press Enter.