You need a Linux account created by Research Computing to access our services. You can use an existing Linux account.

Fill in Remote Workstation Account to request a new account if you don't have an existing one.

You're logging into a Linux system so your KAUST portal username has to be ALL lowercase to access these resources.

You need a Linux account created by Research Computing to access our services. You can use an existing Linux account.

Fill in Remote Workstation Account to request a new account if you don't have an existing one.

You're logging into a Linux system so your KAUST portal username has to be ALL lowercase to access these resources.

DCV

Remote access is provided by using DCV. This software delivers fast, reliable, secure remote access by using hardware acceleration on one of the GPU cards installed on the servers. DCV also allows you to share your session securely with your collaborators.

Web Client

Note that remote sessions running in a browser cannot be bigger than Full HD resolution.

A new web client was introduced by DCV 2017, which we recommend using since you don't have to install other software. This is currently the default client used to access remote sessions. This behavior can be changed in your settings on Views portal.

On macOS, you get the best experience using Google Chrome.

The NICE DCV web browser client is an application that runs inside your preferred browser. It does not require installation. The client is supported on the following browsers across all desktop operating systems:

• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
• Apple Safari 11

Desktop Client

macOS is not supported yet.

You can install a DCV Client to access remote sessions. This allows you to have sessions whose resolution is bigger than Full HD.

Clients are provided for the following Operating Systems:

• CentOS family
• Debian family
• Windows

Please download your client from this link. Here are some tips on how install it:

• Use nice-dcv-client-<version>.msi for Windows
  • You need admin rights.
  • Installation requires a reboot.
• Use nice-dcv-client-<version>.rpm for CentOS family distributions
  • You need root access.

sudo rpm -i nice-dcv-client-<version>.rpm

• Use nice-dcv-client-<version>.deb for Debian family distributions
  • You need root access.

sudo dpkg -i nice-dcv-client-<version>.deb

Start Remote Session

Once you have your Linux account you're ready to access a remote session.

Logon to Views using your KAUST portal credentials. Views is a session broker portal. It allows you start remote sessions based on your profile. By default everyone gets a Linux Workstation but we have many more. Please contact us on Research Computing Slack to ask changing your profile. Here are the available profiles:

• EFMP
• Linux Workstation
• MATHEMATICA
• Synopsys

Please note that Linux Workstation is usually enough. We've created different profiles in order to start an application without having to deal with terminals and module files.

Once you click on the profile you want to use, a new browser tab opens creating a session for you on one of the remote workstations. Here's an example of how the web client looks like: 
[Figure: Applications Menu]


Here's an example of a page containing all the aforementioned service links, they're on the left side of the page: 
[Figure: Services Navigation]

You'll also see on this page, all sessions you currently have running. You can reconnect to running sessions by clicking on its screenshot.

Clicking on the small arrow following the session's name give a drop-down menu allowing you to:

• View Details. Allows to check on which node your session landed, log files, etc.
• Rename. Allows you to give a meaningful name to your session; useful if you have more than one.
• Connect. Same as clicking on screenshot.
• Close. Same as clicking on big X on screenshot. Save your data before you do this.
• Share. Allows you to collaborate with other users.

In case you decide to use the desktop client, please follow these steps:

1. Download the client corresponding to your system as mentioned previously.
2. Logon to Views.
3. Go to Settings in the top right corner of the page.
4. Select NICE DCV 2017 tab.

Choose Desktop Client and save. 
[Figure: Settings Example]

1. Go to your sessions and click on the one you want to connect to, it will download a .dcv file.
2. Your browser will automatically open this file (connecting to your session) using your DCV client.

Working in a Remote Session

Once you've connected to your remote session, you can start working in it as it were a Desktop under your desk.

You can open a terminal, start Chrome (or Firefox), use gedit to change files, etc.

You can access our Scientific Application Stack by using modules as you would on a workstation under your desk.

You can also access your data by using these paths:

• /rcsdata to access Research Data
• /shaheen to access Shaheen
• /home/<username> is your HOME that's shared among all nodes and backed up

Troubleshooting

Failed to Login

It can be you are not entering the correct username. Please make sure your KAUST portal username is ALL lowercase.

Cannot load modules

If you have added anything recently to your .bashrc file related to modules, it could have altered modules paths. To reset your .bashrc file:

# Go to your HOME

cd

# Backup current profile

mv .bashrc .bashrc.ORIG

# Copy the files

cp /etc/skel/.profile .

cp /etc/skel/.bashrc .

# Edit new .bashrc and add lines you need from your old file

New & Noteworthy - July, 2018

• Remote Workstations are now based on Ubuntu 16.04 with latest XFCE providing an improved user experience.
• The workstations are shipped with a bunch of development tools:
  • Python 2.7 and Python 3.5, with important add-ons (numpy, scipy, matplotlib, scikits-learn, etc.)
  • IPython
  • Ruby
• Scientific application stack is now available over a 10Gbit/sec pipe. Loading applications should be much faster than before.
• A new application stack is now available, where applications are installed using Spack. Spack supports multiple versions, configurations, platforms, and compilers. You can use Spack to install applications in your HOME.
• You can now install applications in your HOME easily by using Linuxbrew; please check our Linuxbrew wiki page to learn how to use it.
• Please contact us through Research Computing Slack to report issues, ask for new software, give feedback, or just to say hi .

New & Noteworthy - August,2018

• More applications and development tools are now available on system:
• The new KAUST Menu was added to the startup menu, where you can find the latest installed versions of the most commonly used desktop applications for the ease of reaching and lunching them.

[Figure: Application KAUST Menu Option]

•  More applications to be added on system and in KAUST Menu. Stay Tuned