There are many different types of terminals in the department, and many different ways to log on: from another computer, from an xterminal, from a PC, and remotely from home.
On a workstation (Linux, SUN, PC's etc): login
Here a workstation will be considered to be a computer with a cpu and running some version of unix. For users of this manual this includes SUN workstations and undergrad and MSc PC's.
To login to a workstation, make sure the monitor is on. You will be presented with a "prompt", usually login:
At the login prompt, type your username, followed by a "return". You will then be prompted for your password, which, when typed, will not be echoed to the screen.
From another
computer: telnet, rlogin and ssh
If you are on another computer in the Astronomy Department, you can simply use ssh to remotely login to another computer. For example, if you are logged onto the computer "ungrad1.astro" and want to login to lepus.astro, you would type
ssh lepus.astro
If your username is different, you must type
ssh lepus.astro -l remoteusername
You can use ssh to remotely login to any computer by its name.
If your computer does not have ssh, you will need to use telnet. This is not desirable, because it will prompt you for BOTH the username and password, and unlike ssh, telnet does not encrypt communications over the network. "Sniffers" installed by hackers can then obtain your password.
If you frequently use a particular computer to access another, you can use "rlogin". You will need a file called ".rhosts" in your home directory on the remote computer, containing the name of the computer you are loggin in from (see "rsh" and "rcp" commands later). However, "ssh" is the more secure and more modern option.
To login
from a departmental xterminal, choose "start new telnet" from the menu (this
screen will likely already be up), then choose the computer that you wish to
login to. If it is not on the list, type the name of the computer in, and
press ok. You can then login as usual. If you want to start an X session,
you can start the window manager on the xterminal from the menu, or start a
remote manager using an xsession file.
Note that individual research
xterminals may use an XDM manager, which directly starts X windows when you
login. See your research computer system manager for information.
Dialup and Home Access
The University has a dialup system
which supports ppp at various modem speeds.
All you need to create an account is a valid UofT library card, and a staff or student number. The easiest way to create a 'UTORdial' account is to use netscape. Go to the URL: http://www.utoronto.ca/utor.html The steps are fairly obvious from there.
If you don't have any modem software on your pc, you can purchase some from the library for $5, although you certainly don't have to use their recommended software. It is possible to use Linux instead of Microsoft for this at home. On-line service phone numbers are here. The full range of Computing and Network services is here.
A more attractive way to connect from home is to use a cable modem or ADSL phone system connection. The University offers Megabit access through Bell Canada/Sympatico. Faculty and staff can obtain a static U of T IP number for home use.