Central Linux service
Our central Linux service consists of several interactive Linux systems, providing you with the capacity to carry out compute intensive jobs and research.
Key features
- Set up in a similar way to our Linux desktop, with access to standard software and central filestores.
- Provides a much larger compute resource than you can access on a desktop computer or laptop. (Hardware specifications vary per system.)
Access instructions
- Access is supported via SSH or the X2Go software client.
- If you’re not on campus, you need a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
- X2Go is installed in our computer labs.
- For other University managed devices running Windows, you can install this software from the Software Center.
- For other devices, you can either download and install X2Go (x2go.org) or access it through the virtual desktop service (VDS).
Available to students and staff (restrictions apply)
You can use this service on devices connected to the University network or VPN.
App-based
Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.
Funded by the University
There isn’t a cost to you for standard use.
Additional information
All staff and students can log into the teaching nodes.
Research nodes are normally reserved for staff and research graduates. If you feel that you require access to them, please contact IT Services and explain your requirements. We may need to discuss your request with your module tutor or academic supervisor, so please include their contact details.
Access instructions
- Access is supported via SSH or the X2Go software client.
- If you’re not on campus, you need a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
- X2Go is installed in our computer labs.
- For other University managed devices running Windows, you can install this software from the Software Center.
- For other devices, you can either download and install X2Go (x2go.org) or access it through the virtual desktop service (VDS).
Guides and help
How-to guides and set up
- Accessing the servers
- Common X2Go issues and solutions
- Copying files from another host or desktop to interactive Linux servers
- How many cores is my program using?
- Managing Python environments on LMS
- Using the "screen" command to run multiple programs
Training and best practice
Contact for support
If you're experiencing technical issues and need advice, please contact IT Services.
Service commitments
You are expected to exercise due care to avoid disrupting other users, for example by utilising a large proportion of the overall memory or by starting large CPU-intensive operations.
At our discretion, we may take remedial action (for example, renice or kill processes) if your processes are causing problems; we will normally try to contact you before we do this.
If you use these systems to carry out any long-running computations, your code must save its state regularly and have an ability to resume later; this ensures that in the event of disruption your progress won't be lost.
Please remember that these are multi-user systems and as such you must ensure any sensitive data is adequately protected, for example with appropriate file permissions. You must take care not to expose sensitive data or passwords to other users, for example by using them in command line arguments.
The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.
Availability
- This is a live service, available 24/7 except for planned upgrades and maintenance.
- All nodes are patched monthly on the first Tuesday of the month, between 5am and 7am. They are rebooted as part of this process.
- We may occasionally need to patch servers at short notice, for example to address critical security issues.
Support
- This service is managed by IT Services.
- We are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults.
- Support is available during our opening hours.
Standards
- Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers. We regularly monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.
We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.
Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024