Logging in to CSF4

You must use a Secure Shell (ssh) program to login to:

csf4.itservices.manchester.ac.uk

This requires your central IT username and central IT password (the same as used for email).

If you wish to run GUI programs on the CSF, for example the simple text-editor gedit (useful for writing jobscripts) or more complex apps such as VMD (a molecular viz app) then you will need to log in with X11 enabled:

# If logging in using MobaXterm this is all taken care of by default
ssh username@csf4.itservices.manchester.ac.uk

# If logging in on MacOS first install XQuartz (and reboot) then add the -Y flag:
ssh -Y username@csf4.itservices.manchester.ac.uk
     #
     # UPPERcase Y

# If logging in on Linux no installs are usually necessary, just add the -X flag:
ssh -X username@csf4.itservices.manchester.ac.uk
     #
     # UPPERcase X

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

• Windows
• Mac or Linux

Having Problems Logging In?

Off-campus Access

Please see our dedicated guide.

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