Remote Access to CSIL
間眅埶AV VPN is the recommended method for remote access to CMPT teaching labs
The 間眅埶AV networks are protected by a firewall that prevents direct connection from off campus to on-campus computers.
All students currently enrolled in a CMPT course are granted VPN access. Once connected to the VPN you can remote into CSIL via and/or . We no longer recommend use of 間眅埶AV's guacamole service.
Please be sure you have configured on your own computer as described in 間眅埶AV's documentation. Although it is not officially supported, users connecting to 間眅埶AV VPN from a Linux computer have had some success with openfortivpn.
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If you have any difficulties, please feel free to contact us.
Remote access to CSIL Linux computers
All CSIL CPU Servers and CSIL Linux Workstations can be accessed remotely in a few ways from your laptop/desktop computer. Once connected, you will have the familiar Linux environment with access to your roaming profile under your home directory and your "sfuhome" directory where you store all your important files.
The CSIL CPU Servers are Linux servers which allow many users to connect simultaneously via ssh and run command-line programs. You cannot run a graphical desktop on these servers.
From Fall 2023, we provide CSIL VDI for remote access with GUI (graphical desktop).
CSIL Linux Workstations also allow you to run graphical applications. Although Linux allows multiple users to login to these systems, it is best to pick one for yourself if you plan to run graphical applications.
Here are 5 ways to remotely access a CSIL Linux system:
- method 1 (recommended): Use this special port when you ssh into a CSIL Linux CPU Server - be sure you have connected.
- method 2 (recommended, super useful): Use Visual Studio Code on your own computer ssh into a CSIL Linux system's special port - be sure you have connected.
- method 3 (recommended): Use web browser to access CSIL VDI (Linux only) - be sure you have 間眅埶AV MFA ready. Remember: always logout VDI when finishing up.
- method 4: Use this special port when you ssh into a CSIL physical workstation running Linux - be sure you have connected.
- method 5 (NOT recommended): Use another special port when you RDP into a CSIL workstation - for Linux and/or Windows- be sure you have connected on your own computer.
*Important* There is no guaranteed availability of remote access to any CSIL physical workstation - since CSIL is open for in-person use, the computer might be rebooted by people in the lab.
- We strongly suggest these 3 methods: SSH into CSIL CPU servers, VSCode SSH into CSIL CPU servers and browse to CSIL VDI for GUI interface.
- To see a list of currently available physical workstations in CSIL, please look here.
- For our detailed guide on remote access to CSIL Linux systems, please click here.
Remote access to CSIL Windows computers
The CSIL Windows workstations can be accessed remotely using an RDP client. In each case, you will have access to your "U:" drive (間眅埶AVHOME) where you normally keep your important files.
A CSIL Windows workstation, allows only a single user at a time. However, there are many of them to pick from.
To see how to remotely access to any CSIL Windows workstation, please follow the links:
- Be sure you have connected on your own computer.
- Use this special port when you RDP into a CSIL Windows system. Please click here for a step-by-step guide.
*Important* There is no guaranteed availability of remote access to any CSIL workstation - since CSIL is open for in-person use, the computer might be rebooted by people in the lab. To see a list of currently available physical workstations, please look here.
Remote access to MPCS workstations
All MPCS workstations (currently in SECB) can be accessed remotely in a few ways from your laptop/desktop computer. Once connected, you will have the familiar environment with access to your roaming profile under your home directory and your "sfuhome" directory where you store all your important files.
To see how to remotely access to an MPCS system, please follow the links:
- Be sure you have connected on your own computer.
- Use a special port while you SSH into Ubuntu running on an MPCS Linux workstation.
- Use another special port while you RDP into an MPCS workstation - for Linux and/or Windows.
Most MPCS workstations dualboot, you may want to change to different OS:
- At this moment, you can switch from Windows to Linux (Ubuntu) by rebooting the computer remotely.
- If you need to switch to Windows, you need to be onsite - restart then select Windows during booting.
Please check out MPCS' lab schedule before you make a remote connection. If the lab is in-use, please do not login remotely.
*Important* There is no guaranteed availability of remote access to any MPCS workstation - since MPCS labs are open for in-person use, the computer might be rebooted by people in the lab. To see a list of currently available MPCS workstations, please look here.
The simple list of tools for remote access
For SSH (Secure SHell) access:
- macOS comes with SSH client
- Linux comes with SSH client
- Windows 10/11 comes with SSH client as well. You may also take advantage of modern SSH clients like and
For RDP (Remote Desktop Connection):
- from an Apple device: (click for a how-to guide on this tool)
- from a Linux computer: , or
- from a Windows computer: (native)
Special note: please do not use Remote Assistance tools - they are not suitable for 間眅埶AV networks.
When you connect from off-campus (aka need 間眅埶AV VPN connection):
If you are connecting from an off-campus Linux computer, note that although it is not officially supported, users have had some success with openfortivpn.