How to connect to defcon.edb.utexas.edu (SSH Secure Shell)

In order to perform the steps below, you first must download and install the program "SSH Secure Shell". This program is available free of charge on the Bevoware website.

Connecting to the Server

IMPORTANT: If you are using a computer on-campus that has not been preauthorized for the server OR you are using a computer off-campus, then you must first connect to the University VPN service before you can proceed with the steps below. You can connect to the University VPN service by loading the following website in your web browser: https://vpn.utexas.edu

1. Connect to the server using Secure File Transfer Client.

Click the Start button, select All Programs, and then select SSH Secure Shell. Launch the Secure File Transfer Client program.

 

Once the Secure File Transfer Client program launches, click the Quick Connect button.

 

If you receive an error message about a file named default_ssh2 click OK to close it.

 

In the "Connect to Remote Host" window, type the server address defcon.edb.utexas.edu in the Host Name field. Type your username for the server in the User Name field. Click Connect when you are done.

 

If prompted to save the host key for the server click Yes.

 

Type your password and then click OK.

 

Click OK at the "Enter Authentication Response" window.

 

If prompted to add the profile of your connection, you can click the X button to close the window.

• Saving the profile is like saving a bookmark in a web browser. You can add the profile to your settings if you want. This would allow you to quickly connect to the server in the future by clicking on its link under the "Profiles" button of the Secure File Transfer Client program.

 

 

2. Navigate to the folder that you want to work with.

If you typed in your username and password correctly in the steps above, then you will establish an encrypted connection to the server and you will be placed into your "home directory" on the server.

There are three primary folders on the server that you will be working with. A folder named Groups another named Users and the final folder will have a name which is the same as your username. The folder with the same name as your username is also called your "home folder" which is the default folder you are sent to when you initially connect to the server . See the next section for an explanation of these folders.

 

3. Copy files to and from the server.

You can copy files to and from the server by dragging and dropping files to or from the right pane of the SSH Secure File Transfer program.

 

 

Explanation of the Folders on the Server

Overview

• The Groups folder contains folders which are shared by a group of people. If you need a folder setup for your group, contact the LTC computer helpdesk at help@edb.utexas.edu
  • You can open the groups folder by typing /Groups in the right folder field circled in the picture below. Press the Enter key on your keyboard to open the Groups folder.
  • 
• The Users folder contains the folders of all the users on the server. Each user has a "drop box" set up so if you need a fast way to give a file to someone without letting everyone else with an account on the server see the file, you can copy the file to their "drop box". User folders are explained in more detail in the next section.
  • You can open the users folder by typing /Users in the right folder field circled in the picture below. Press the Enter key on your keyboard to open the Users folder.
  • 
• The third folder is a folder with a name that is the same as your username on the server which is also known and the "home folder". This folder is where you store your private files. User folders are explained in more detail in the next section.
  • You can open your home folder by clicking the button with the House icon on the right side of the program.
  • 

User Folder

Each user of the server has a folder assigned specifically to them. This folder contains two folders, Documents and Public. You are the only person that can read or write files in your Documents folder.

The Public folder contains a subfolder called Drop Box. You can read and write files in your Drop Box folder but everyone else on the server can only copy files into this folder. They cannot read or delete files in this folder. So if someone else who has an account on the server needs to give you a file, they can copy it to your Drop Box folder and you are the only person that will be able to see it.

 

Tips

• To delete folders, you must delete the contents first.
• To move a folder into another folder, first copy the folder you want to move by right clicking and choosing copy. Then open the folder you want to past into, right click and choose paste.
• To duplicate a folder, first create the new folder by right clicking and selecting New Folder. Rename the folder. Open the folder you wish to duplicate, right click in the white space and choose Select All. When all files and folders are selected, right click on one of the selected files and choose Copy. Now, open the new folder, right click and select paste. The folder must be open in order to copy into it.