Connecting to Linux Servers

Important Note:

• First-Time Access: This step is required only for first-time access. The registration process takes approximately 15 minutes. Please wait this amount of time before attempting to connect to the servers.
• Returning Users: If you have already completed this step, you can skip it and proceed directly to the SSH/WinSCP connection instructions.

1. Open a Web Browser and go to https://broker.mnstate.edu
2. An Authentication App will appear
3. Enter username in the format of:
- For Students: StarID.s (Note: you must append the .s to the starid)
- For Employees: StarID@minnstate.edu  (Note: @minnstate not @mnstate)

4. Click Next, if prompted enter StarID password
5. Next, login to the Broker application

6. Enter in StarID (nothing else after StarID)
7. Click Submit

*Please note you will need to setup the Authenticator App for your M365 account. Instructions on that can be found on this KB Article - Multi-factor Authentication...

1. Open the command prompt and type the following command to connect to the server, then press Enter:

ssh -J YourStarId.s@broker.mnstate.edu YourStarId.s@serverName.mnstate.edu (Where serverName would be alduin or smoke)

Example:

C:\Users\sk5665ae>ssh -J tr2720ok.s@broker.mnstate.edu tr2720ok.s@smoke.mnstate.edu

2. When prompted on the terminal, enter your password.
3. Open the authenticator app on your phone.
4. Check your authenticator app for an approval request and click Approve.

5. Once approved, you will be prompted to enter your password again. Enter your password.

NOTE: There may be a timing issue with the second login. It does time out sometimes. If it is over 30 seconds, please cancel the login and try again.

You are in!

1. Open WinSCP

2. A second window will pop up. Click on ‘Advanced’

3. In the Advanced settings, navigate to 'Connection' on the left side, then click on 'Tunnel'.

4. Check the box for 'Connect through SSH tunnel'.

5. Fill out the details as listed below, then click 'OK' to return to the main page.

• Connect through SSH tunnel: Checked

• Host Name: broker.mnstate.eduPort number 22

• User Name: yourStarId.s

• Password: yourPassword

• Local Tunnel Port: Autoselect

• Private Key File: Blank

6. Fill out the detail in the main page as listed below and click on ‘Login.’

• File Protocol: SFTP

• Host Name: serverName.mnstate.edu

• Port Number: 22

• User Name: YourStarID.s

• Password: yourPassword

• Show Login dialog on startup and when the last session is closed: Checked

7. Open the authenticator app on your phone and approve the sign-in request when prompted.

You are connected!

1. Open Visual Studio Code and navigate to the Remote Explorer located on the left sidebar (it has a desktop icon)

2. Hover your cursor over SSH, and you'll see a settings icon and a plus sign (+).

3. Click the Plus Sign (+). This prompts a dialog where you can enter your SSH connection command.

4. Type in the following command in that section:

ssh -J starid.s@broker.mnstate.edu starid.s@endpoint.mnstate.edu

5. Select Configuration file to update when prompted.

6. You'll see a confirmation pop-up in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Click on "Connect".

7. Next you will be prompted to enter a password:

Enter your password

8. Open your authenticator app on your phone to receive a confirmation notification.

9. Finally, you will be prompted to enter your password again for the server you are trying to connect to. Enter your password.

10. If successful, you should see the remote server listed in the Remote Explorer on the left sidebar.