Using PuTTY to Access the Linux Service

1. Installing PuTTY

PuTTY can be used on computers running Windows.

1. First download the PuTTY software from the Oxford mirror of the PuTTY download page, and then download the file putty-VERSION-installer.exe, found below the heading A Windows-style installer (x86 only) for everything except PuTTYtel.
2. Once you have downloaded the PuTTY installer to your computer, run the program to start the installation. You will see the Welcome screen:
   

   Figure 1. PuTTY Welcome screen
3. Click next to continue. You will now be asked where to install the program, accept the default and click the Next button.
   

   Figure 2. Select location screen
4. Now you will see the Select Start Menu Folder screen, click on Next to continue.
   

   Figure 3. Select start menu folder screen
5. The next screen allows to to select further features for the program. Check the boxes by the options you require and then click on the Next button.
   

   Figure 4. Selecting additional tasks screen
6. The following screen shows you the options you have selected and where the program will be installed. If you want to change anything, select the Back button. When you are happy with your choices, click the Next button.
   

   Figure 5. Ready to install screen
7. The program will now be installed.
   

   Figure 6. Installing program
8. Once completed you will see the Completting the PuTTY setup wizard screen. Click on Finish to exit setup.
   

   Figure 7. Installation completed screen

2. Configuring PuTTY

1. To configure PuTTY, start the PuTTY program from the Desktop or the Start Menu.
2. You will now see the following screen:
   

   Figure 8. PuTTY configuration screen
3. In the box under Host Name (or IP Address) type linux.ox.ac.uk and then select the [SSH] option.
4. So that you don't have to type in the name each time you want to connect, type a name, e.g. OUCS Linux Service, into the box below Saved Settings and click on Save to add this to the list of sessions.
   

   Figure 9. Saved settings
5. To connect to the Linux service, double-click on the [OUCS Linux Service] entry in the list of Saved Sessions (it should appear below the [Default Settings] entry.)
6. The very first time that you connect, you will see a message entitled Warning - Potential Security Breach! telling you that the server's host key is not cached in the registry. Click on Yes to add the key to PuTTY's cache. You should not see this message again.
   
   

   Figure 10. Security warning screen
7. You will now see a prompt login screen with a green cursor. To log into Linux type in your Oxford username and press <Return> or <Enter>.
   

   Figure 11. Username screen
8. You will then be prompted for your password. Type your Oxford password and press <Return> or <Enter>.
   

   Figure 12. Password screen
9. Once logged into your Linux account, you will see various messages similar to those shown below:
   

   Figure 13. Screen showing news and information when you are logged in.
10. To log in in the future, all you need to do is to start the PuTTY program and double-click on the [OUCS Linux Service] entry in the list of Saved Sessions, and then log in using your normal Oxford username and password.
11. To transfer files, use either the PSFTP program (which can be started from the PuTTY group under the Start menu) or PSCP program (generally located in c:\program files\putty.) Note that these are both command line driven programs; if you prefer to use drag-and-drop to transfer files, consider obtaining the SSH Secure Shell client.
12. To exit the program type Exit at the prompt.