$SSH Connection to Clusters
Accessing the HPC clusters requires specific network configurations and client software depending on your operating system. This guide covers the requirements for both on-campus and remote access.
Network & Access Requirements
On-Site (WCM Campus)
WCM students using personal devices may access the internet through a dedicated wireless network provided by ITS. Devices expire one year after initial registration and must be renewed annually.
WCMCGuest wireless blocks SSH. You will not be able to access any cluster from this network.Wi-Fi Network Comparison
| Network | SSH Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WCMC (tagged devices) | ✔ Allowed | Auto-connects for tagged devices |
| Apollo | ✔ Allowed | Register if experiencing SSH issues |
| WCMCGuest | ✘ Blocked | SSH is not permitted on this network |
Remote (Off-Campus)
Cluster hostname example: scu-login01.med.cornell.edu or cayuga-login1.cac.cornell.edu
macOS SSH Clients
🖥 Terminal
Built-in macOS terminal — no installation required. Open the Terminal app located at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
⚡ iTerm2 (Optional)
A powerful macOS Terminal replacement with split panes, profiles, and more. Download from iterm2.com.
Windows SSH Clients
🔑 PuTTY
Widely-used, free, lightweight SSH client for Windows. To connect:
- Open PuTTY and enter the server address in the Host Name field.
- Select the SSH radio button.
- Click Open to start the session and enter your credentials.
Ⓜ️ MobaXterm
Advanced SSH client with a built-in X11 server and remote graphical app support.
Remote Desktop Client
A remote desktop client lets you see a full Linux desktop environment. This can be significantly faster for off-campus visualization tasks than standard SSH X-forwarding.
- Windows: Pre-installed Remote Desktop Connection.
- macOS: Download the Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop) from the App Store.