Squiggles research computer server

Introduction

"Squiggles" is a dedicated research computer server for the analysis and storage of MEG, Neurophysiology, and Epilepsy data. Users can connect to it using either the FastX connection (recommended) or the older VNC method. This guide provides detailed steps for both methods.

Access Requirements

RCC account

To access "Squiggles", users must first have an RCC (Research Computer Server) account.

• Request an account at [MCW-Infoscope's Research Computing Center].
• If asked, select "others" and then "squiggles" to specify the desired server.
• Follow the provided steps to initiate a new session and gain remote access to Squiggles.

How to Access Squiggles

VNC Method

Configuration:

• For Windows: Download Putty.

Images for configuration:

• For Mac/Linux: Use a bash shell or terminal.

VNC User Ports:

Users must log in using their designated port numbers. Below is the list of users and their respective ports:

User	Port
Jeff Stout	5910,5911
Joe Heffernan	5912
Candida Ustine	5914
Manoj Raghavan	5913
Chad Carlson	5915
Chris Anderson	5916
Serena Thompson	5917
Patrick Bauer	5918
Jeff Binder	5919
Leo Fernandino	5920
Lisa Conant	5921
Aqil Izadysadr	5922
Nick Guzowski	5923
Zack Harper	5924
Bill Gross	5925
Michelle Kassel	5926
Greg McQuestion	5927
Monica Keith	5928
Priyanka Shah	5929
Vahab Youssofzadeh	5931
Songhee Kim	5935
Cameron J Stewart	5992

Creating a VNC Session:

• VNC sessions are created at bootup using the above port numbers.
• If a session fails, use the command: vncserver :## -geometry 1900x1200 where ## corresponds to your port number.

Connecting to a VNC Session:

• Use Realvnc viewer to access your VNC session.
• In the server address bar, type localhost:## where ## are the last two digits of your port number.
• Log in using your VNC and RCC passwords as required.

FastX Method

• FastX may offer a more user-friendly connection than VNC and address issues related to a large number of simultaneous VNC users.
• Download the FastX client and follow these steps:
  • Open FastX.
  • Click the '+' to initiate a new connection.
  • Provide the Connection Name, host (squiggles.rcc.mcw.edu), and user (your RCC username).
  • To enter a session, click the '+' and use /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc as the command.

Common issues & Solutions

• VNC Black Screen: If VNC shows a black screen after login, ensure Anaconda Python is deactivated before creating the VNC session. Use the conda deactivate command in the terminal.
• FastX as an Alternative: If you experience persistent issues with VNC, consider using the FastX method described above.

For Mac or Linux

From a bash shell / terminal type the following. This will open a tunnel over ssh to log into VNC Viewer (see below). /ssh -N -L 59**:localhost:59** squiggles.rcc.mcw.edu

For Windows

An SSH tunnel must be performed using Putty or with windows 10 you can use the ssh command above.

Download Putty: https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

Logging into VNC session

Once connected to squiggles over ssh

Creating a VNC session

VNC sessions will be created at bootup using the port numbers above If the VNC session fails or is not working: vncserver :## -geometry 1900x1200 (This will open a vnc session on port 59## with a resolution of 1900x1200) The ## must match your port number for this to work.

Connecting to a VNC session

Use realvnc viewer to log into your VNC session.

VNC viewer download

Realvnc has been tested to work - https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/

Log in using RealVNC

Open vncviewer In the top bar that accepts a VNC Server address
type localhost:## (where ## are the last two digits of your port number 59##)

Log into the VNC session using your VNC password
Once the VNC window is open, log into the server using your RCC password

Killing a VNC session

From the terminal try, vncserver -kill :xx/
For a manual kill (if asked) try,

rm -f /tmp/.Xxx-lock
rm -f /tmp/.X11-unix/Xxx

List of users

From the terminal try,
ls -l /tmp/.X11-unix

Common issues & Solutions

FastX is an alternative to VNC viewer

• Before a VNC session is created, anaconda python must be deactivated. Enter conda deactivate into the terminal. If the user does not deactivate anaconda python, VNC will start, but a black screen is shown after logging in.

FastX Connection (alternative connection)

FastX is an alternative to VNC connect. It provides a more straightforward connection than VNC. Previously, we had an issue with a large number of users logging in at once using the VNC. FastX resolves this issue.

The FastX server is installed on squiggles. You will need to download the client - https://www.starnet.com/fastx/current-client

Steps to setup the connection:
1. Open fastX
2. Click the plus to start a new connection
3. Enter the Connection Name, host (squiggles.rcc.mcw.edu), and user (rcc username)
4. Click the plus to enter a session. Use /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc for the command