Connecting to MSI Systems
=========================

MSI users may connect to our remote compute resources using any of these methods that best suit your use case.

.. Hint::
   MSI systems/services are only accessible by devices connected to the UMN campus intranet.

   - While on UMN Campus:

     - Connect to ``eduroam`` wi-fi
     - Use LAN wired ethernet

   - While off UMN Campus:

     - Use `Cisco Secure Client VPN <https://it.umn.edu/services-technologies/virtual-private-network-vpn>`__

Choose a connection method
--------------------------

- **Open OnDemand**: Best for most new users, browser-based access, graphical applications, and basic file management.
- **SSH**: Best for command-line workflows, software setup, and submitting or monitoring Slurm jobs.
- **SSH with X11**: Useful when you need to launch a lightweight Linux GUI directly from your local machine.
- **Citrix**: Required for MSI applications that require Windows.

Open OnDemand (OOD)
-------------------

.. note::
   This method is recommended for most users that are new to remote computing.

OOD is a web browser-based resource that is useful for tasks such as:

- Create Desktop sessions for working with applications that have a GUI, such as Jupyter Notebooks, RStudio, and Material Studio
- Manage Slurm jobs
- Basic file management

Visit `Open OnDemand <https://ondemand.msi.umn.edu>`__

Access to Login Nodes
---------------------

Login nodes are the gateway to accessing compute resources and interacting with the Slurm scheduler.

Remote Shell (SSH)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is generally a text based method that is useful for workflows that:

- Workflows that are text based and do *not* require GUI
- Interaction with scheduler e.g., scheduling interactive or submitting batch jobs, checking job status
- Interacting with data in Tier 1 and Tier 2 using command line tools

From your local command line, use the command:

.. code-block:: shell

  ssh <UMN internetid>@login.msi.umn.edu

If you connect frequently, MSI recommends configuring SSH keys on your local machine for a smoother login workflow. See :doc:`ssh_keys` for setup instructions.

Remote Shell with X11 (SSH)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This method is similar to standard SSH but enables users to launch software that has a GUI.

.. Tip::
   This method requires some initial work on your local machine to configure support for X11 connections; specifically installing an X server application

   - Windows (with PuTTY) - `Xming <https://sourceforge.net/projects/xming/>`__
   - macOS - `Xquartz <https://www.xquartz.org/>`__

From your local machine, open the command line and execute:

.. code-block:: shell

  ssh -Y <UMN internetid>@login.msi.umn.edu

Remote Shell with PuTTY
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Users that prefer PuTTY can connect to the same MSI login host and, if configured locally, can also use X11 forwarding.


Windows Based Software
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

MSI offers access to a select amount of Applications that do not offer a Linux release. Please see our page on `Citrix Desktops <https://msi.umn.edu/computing/interactive-hpc/citrix>`__ for more information.