Access from a Windows desktop
Command-line access using PuTTY
PuTTY is available on all IT Services Managed Windows systems. It is pre-installed on Classroom PCs; on Office PCs you can install it from Run Advertised Programs / Software Center. It appears under "Internet Tools" on the start menu.
On unmanaged PCs you can download the installer from the PuTTY Website.
Configuring PuTTY to connect to Viking
Open PuTTY and configure it to connect to Viking:
- Add the name "viking.york.ac.uk" to the 'Host Name' field
- Check the 'Connection Type' to SSH
- Type the name "Viking" in 'Saved Sessions'
- Click 'Save'
- Expand the 'SSH' tab from the 'Category' list
- Choose 'X11' from 'SSH' list
- Check 'Enable X11 Forwarding'
Connecting to Viking
- Start PuTTY
- Select 'Viking' from the 'Saved Sessions'
- Click 'Open'
A terminal window should appear. Log in with your university username and password. The first time you connect you will get a security alert showing the fingerprint of the server, labeled as 'ssh-rsa' or 'ssh-ed25519'.
If you are successful this is what you will see:
Whilst it is possible to configure X11 forwarding through PuTTY, X11 forwarding will only work on the Viking login nodes, which means that you won't be able to run graphical applications e.g. MATLAB on the Viking compute nodes using X11 forwarding. Details about virtual desktop sessions on Viking are provided in the Virtual Desktop section of this document.