Difference between revisions of "Linux - System Setup"

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(System Setup HW)
(System Setup HW)
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The following might be used by your instructor as part of a HW assignment to verify you have your computer setup properly.
 
The following might be used by your instructor as part of a HW assignment to verify you have your computer setup properly.
  
# Follow the steps above to setup your computer with a file transfer program, text editor, and terminal program.
+
# Follow the steps above to setup your computer with a file transfer program, text editor, and terminal program.  Make sure you are able to use the file transfer program and terminal programs to connect to your CS class account on the CS server.
 
# Make sure you can open the text editor. Create a text file aboutMySystem.txt and put the following information
 
# Make sure you can open the text editor. Create a text file aboutMySystem.txt and put the following information
 
#* Your name:  
 
#* Your name:  

Revision as of 02:00, 12 January 2020

This page is meant to help you get your computer ready to connect to the CS server.

This page is a part of the Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started.

Video demo, one per OS, coming soon.

Note - for additional software and configuration beyond that listed on this page see Linux - System Setup 2.

CS User Accounts

Below we guide you through getting software setup on your computer. In order to connect to the CS server you will also need your CS user account. CS accounts are normally distributed during the first week of classes. If you are a CS major, you can also request a permanent CS account. See CS Accounts and CS Lab Computers.

Your Personal Computer

You need to have access to a computer that you can install the following on - (a) terminal program used to connect to the CS server and execute commands on the CS server, (b) file transfer program for transferring files between your computer and the CS server, (c) text editor to use on your computer.

There are good options for (b) and (c) that are cross-platform - are available and work the same on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Chromebook - if you are using a chromebook see below, there are different options than on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Cross-Platform - File Transfer and Text Editor

Choose a file transfer program and a text editor to install.

  • File Transfer Program - FileZilla - If given an option of what port to connect to, use port 22 (this is the "secure" port, so data is encrypted while transferring over the public internet). Another option that is good but only available on Windows is WinSCP.
  • Text Editor - Kate Atom Emacs Vim - all are good editors for programming that are available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can ask your instructors which they prefer (and can help you with), or pick one and stick with it. When starting a new text editor do an internet search for a tutorial to get you started; once you are comfortable with the basics do an internet search for a cheat sheet of keyboard shortcuts to help you remember them.

Terminal Program

If you are using MacOS or Linux you already have a terminal program installed. You don't need to install anything, you just need to follow some steps to use the terminal program that is already installed. For Windows, you need to install a terminal program.

  • On Mac OS - Built-in Terminal - Use the built-in Terminal program in Mac OS to connect to the cs server, and you can also use the Terminal program to run commands on your local computer. You open the terminal by opening Finder, then click on Applications, then click on Utilities, then open Terminal. When you get the terminal program open, you can login remotely to the CS server by typing "ssh username@cs.indstate.edu".
  • On Linux - Built-in Terminal - Similar to MacOS, a terminal program is already built-in. How to get to the terminal program (also called the "shell") depends on which distribution you are running - ask the internet where to find the terminal program for your distribution. When you get the terminal program open, you can login remotely to the CS server by typing "ssh username@cs.indstate.edu".
  • On Windows - Install - Putty - download Installing Putty on Windows

Other OS-Specific Notes

If you are using Windows and have Putty installed as your terminal program, it installs a text-based file transfer program as well - psftp - which you should be able to find in your list of programs.

If you are using MacOS or Linux, a text-based file transfer program - sftp - is normally installed by default.

In either case, new users often prefer to use graphical file transfer programs (i.e., FileZilla).

Chromebook

Text - if not already installed, can install from Play Store

Terminal - requires setting up Linux (Beta) on your Chromebook. Click the circle to pull up search bar, type Terminal, click on the Terminal icon. Asked to setup Linux (Beta). Click Install.

ISU CS Lab Computers

The computers in ISU CS labs (Root Hall A-015, A-017, A-019) are already configured with Linux. You can use these computers as long as you have a CS account.

System Setup HW

The following might be used by your instructor as part of a HW assignment to verify you have your computer setup properly.

  1. Follow the steps above to setup your computer with a file transfer program, text editor, and terminal program. Make sure you are able to use the file transfer program and terminal programs to connect to your CS class account on the CS server.
  2. Make sure you can open the text editor. Create a text file aboutMySystem.txt and put the following information
    • Your name:
    • Your CS class account:
    • Operating System:
    • Text editor you are using:
    • File transfer program:
    • Did you have any difficulties in getting the programs setup? If yes, explain.
  3. Create the following screen shots demonstrating that you have the programs installed on your system properly. Note - you can ask the internet how to take a screenshot (e.g., type in - how to screenshot on chromebook).
    1. textEditor.jpg - a screenshot that shows you editing the aboutMySystem.txt file with your text editor.
    2. fileTransfer.jpg - a screenshot that shows you using the file transfer program to connect to the CS server with your CS class account.
    3. terminal.jpg - a screenshot that shows you with the terminal program open and connected to the CS server with your CS class account.
  4. Use the file transfer program to connect to the CS server with your CS class account.
    1. While connected, create a new directory in your CS class account on the CS server. Name the new directory SystemSetup.
    2. Transfer the files you just created (aboutMySystem.txt, textEditor.jpg, fileTransfer.jpg, terminal.jpg) into the SystemSetup directory in your CS class account on the server.