MobaXterm Setup (Windows)

Requirements

• Have an active account and project.
• Set up your Linux Password.
• Set up Second Factor Authentication.
• Windows operating system.

Setting up MobaXterm as shown below will allow you to connect to the Cluster with less keyboard inputs as well as allow use of the file transfer GUI.

1. Download the Installer Edition of MobaXTerm here.

2. Enable the "Use two-factor authentication for SSH gateways" option. First, open the MobaXTerm settings dialog (in the button bar at the top of the MobaXTerm window):

   

   Then, go to the SSH tab and enable the option, "Use 2-factor authentication for SSH gateways" (You can also enable SSH keepalive here to stop inactive sessions closing).

   

   Click OK to exit the Settings dialog, and quit and restart MobaXTerm before continuing.

   Note: Make sure that "Remote-monitoring (experimental)" is disabled as this setting appears to cause MobaXterm crashes.
3. To set up a session, Click 'Sessions > New Session':
4. In "Basic SSH settings",
   • Set the remote host to login.mahuika.nesi.org.nz for Mahuika users or login.maui.nesi.org.nz for Maui users.
   • Enable the "Specify username" option and put your Username in the corresponding box.
5. In "Advanced SSH settings"
   • Set SSH-browser type to SCP.
   • Optionally, tick the 'Follow SSH path' button.

6. In the “Network settings” tab:
   • Enable "Connect through SSH gateway (jump host)"
   • Enter lander.nesi.org.nz in the “Gateway SSH server” field, as well as your NeSI username in the User field for the gateway SSH server.

7. Click 'OK', usually this will start a new session immediately. See usage below.

WARNING

There is a bug which causes some users to be repeatedly prompted <username>@lander.nesi.org.nz's password:
This can be resolved by clicking "OK" each time you are prompted then logging in as normal once you are prompted for your First Factor: or Password:.
See Login Troubleshooting for more details

Usage

You will see your saved session in the left hand panel under 'Sessions'. Double click to start.

You will be prompted by dialogue box.

Login Password (First Factor):

Enter your password.

Authenticator Code (Second Factor):

Enter your second factor six digit number (no space).

Then Mahuika users may be prompted again:

Login Password:

Enter your password again

Maui users will instead be prompted with:

Password:

Maui users must enter their password combined with their second factor. For example, if your password is "Password" and your current second factor is "123456" then you must enter "Password123456".

Tip

If you choose to save your password, the process will be the same minus the prompts for First Factor.

What Next?

• Moving files to/from a cluster.