Can I remote log in (to CSIL/Linux) from home?

Owned by Marc Miller
Last updated: Aug 05, 2021
2 min read

Issue

You want to remotely connect to CSIL/Linux from home/laptop outside of the lab.

How to do it:

Note: If you are not a Computer Science student you can replace csil.cs.ucsb.edu with linux.engr.ucsb.edu instead.

As of 2020 this single username is a load balanced solution that should be used for all ssh classroom and lab needs.

Please note that Fedora is upgraded between quarters and if you have connected to csil.cs.ucsb.edu before you will receive a warning when logging in:

The ECDSA host key for csil.cs.ucsb.edu has changed...
Offending ECDSA key in /Users/yourusername/.ssh/known_hosts

You will need to edit your known_hosts file in the hidden .ssh folder.  Simply search for csil.cs in the known_host file on the machine you are connecting from and delete the line.  When you connect again, the new key will be copied in its place.

If you cannot find your .ssh folder, you can see hidden files and folders by using the following command: ls -al

Note for returning students:  You no longer need to search around for available csil-XX.cs numbered systems.  You only need to use one host name (csil.cs.ucsb.edu) for ssh access.

Computer Science Students: Remote Access to Computer Science Computing Labs

Electrical and Computer Engineering Students: Remote Access to ECI Computing Labs

Linux or Mac Additional Notes

If you want to use x11 forwarding, please note that x11 is depreciated in favor of remote desktop access, if you still want more information, please see How to do X11 Forwarding on a Mac

If you have issues with error messages, please see What to do when you get an SSH Error connecting to CSIL/Linux

Windows Additional Notes

For information on how to remote login from a Windows machine please see the article below:

How can I access my UNIX account from windows?