Running the ThinLinc client

ThinLinc is a cross-platform remote desktop server developed by Cendio AB. At HPC2N.

ThinLinc is especially useful when you need to use software with a graphical interface, like INTEL VTune or MATLAB. Look at our MATLAB page for information about running MATLAB.

Download and Install instructions

Download the ThinLinc client from https://www.cendio.com/thinlinc/download to your own workstation/laptop and install it.

Login to cluster login node

1. Start the ThinLinc client ( ThinLinc client,  tlclient depending on your platform)
2. Enter the name of the server: kebnekaise-tl.hpc2n.umu.se and then enter your own username at HPC2N under "Username":
   
3. Go to "Options" -> "Security" and check that authentication method is set to password.
4. Go to "Options" -> "Screen" and uncheck "Full screen mode".
5. Enter your HPC2N password. 
6. Click "Connect"
7. Click "Continue" when you are being told that the server's host key is not in the registry.
                        WE SHOULD PRESENT THE VALID KEY SOMEWHERE ON OUR WEBB AND UPDATE IT AUTOMATICALLY INSTEAD
8. After a short time, the thinlinc desktop opens, running Mate. It is fairly similar to the Gnome desktop.
9. All your files on HPC2N should now be available.

How to open a linux terminal in the ThinLinc desktop

To start a terminal window, go to the menu at the top. Click “Applications” → “System Tools” → “MATE Terminal”.

Disconnect or logout from the ThinLinc desktop

When you want to shutdown the ThinLinc connection, this can be done in two ways, either Disconnect or Logout.

• Disconnect
  Keeps your thinlinc session running on the login node making it possible for you to return to the same spot when you reconnect.
  Only use this when you are actively working in Matlab over a few days, otherwise use Logout, doing this keeps the login node quick and fast for active users.
  Note! Always save your work before leaving since the login nodes will reboot now and then due to OS and security updates.

  The following two ways are equivalent, both uses the top menu bar, use one of them

  • "Applications” → “HPC2N” → “Disconnect ThinLinc Session”
  • "The blueish HPC2N icon to the right" → “Disconnect ThinLinc Session”
     
• Logout
  Will terminate your ThinLinc session on the login node.
  Note! This doesn't affect any jobs in the batch queue or jobs running on the cluster and any finished jobs will be available when you login again.

  The following two ways are equivalent, both uses the top menu bar, use one of them

  • "Applications” → “HPC2N” → “Logout ThinLinc Session”
  • "The blueish HPC2N icon to the right" → “Logout ThinLinc Session”

Reconnecting to an older ThinLinc session

If you have a running ThinLinc session (that you disconnected from) and there is a problem with the ThinLinc session when you connect again. The best way to solve this is to:

1. Logout from the current ThinLinc session
2. Open the client again but this time specify "End existing session" in the dialog or through the command options.
3. Do the final step and login