Logging in to the CSF (Slurm)

The CSF (Slurm) cluster is now available using the address:

csf3.itservices.manchester.ac.uk

Use your UoM IT username (not email) and IT password (the same as used for many UoM services).

For example, the following command can be run in MobaXterm on Windows, or in a Terminal window on MacOS and Linux:

ssh username@csf3.itservices.manchester.ac.uk
      #
      # Use YOUR University username here (this is of the form: mxyzabc1, NOT your email address!)

Users of the older CSF3 (SGE) cluster may be presented with a message along the lines of the following. Please enter ‘yes

This host key is known by the following other names/addresses:
    ~/.ssh/known_hosts:7: [hashed name]
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? yes

If unfamiliar with SSH apps, please see our notes on installing and running an SSH program for your particular platform:

Having Problems Logging In?

Can’t Login – “Connection refused” Message?
Please see this FAQ entry.

Can’t Login – “Account Locked” Message?
Please see this FAQ entry.

Off-campus Access via the GlobalProtect VPN

Please see our dedicated guide.

Working Abroad

The above off-campus access works when you are abroad, although restrictions in that country may prevent use of the VPN, which is beyond our control. However, we advise users to check the University Export Control resources before working from abroad. In particular, a Frequently Asked Question is available on Remote Working with regard to export controls.

Logging Out

Once you have finished using the system you should logout (so as not to waste system resources and also for security reasons). Note that you do not need to be logged in for your jobs to run once you have submitted them to the batch system. You can log out by using either of the following commands:

  • logout
  • exit

Access to External Websites and Repositories from the CSF

It is not possible to directly access computers which are off-campus from the CSF login nodes.

Batch jobs and interactive jobs (both of which run on back-end compute nodes) can access off-campus web-sites from the CSF (e.g., to download a dataset).

VS Code – SSH login

Please see our VSCode page for details on how to install the Remote SSH extension in VSCode on your PC/laptop to allow it to login to the CSF.

Last modified on May 28, 2025 at 10:45 am by George Leaver