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:

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

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:

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 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

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

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 for more information.