How to Setup a Remote Desktop Connection to an AIME-Server
The most direct way to connect with a multi-GPU AI-server is to use the SSH-protocol via command line. Since many users prefer to work with a graphical user interface instead, it is possible to establish a connection via remote-desktop-protocol (RDP). Once configured, the user is able to operate on the server in the same way like with a local machine. The following article begins with a description of how to connect with the server via command line for more advanced users. Afterwards the setup of a RDP connection on Linux with the software Remmina, on Windows 10 with MobaXterm or Remote Desktop Connection and on macOS with Microsoft Remote Desktop is described.
SSH connection via command line
With SSH (Secure Shell) it is possible to establish an encrypted connection to a remote server (SSH-server). To login through SSH via command line execute the following command:
ssh -p <port> admin@<gateway>The term <gateway> and the term <port> are to be replaced by the gateway and the port-no. you got from AIME by E-mail (for instance gateXX.aime.info and 2004). Instead of admin you can also use the user name your admin has created for you.
After your first login it is recommended to change your password with the command:
passwdRDP connection with SSH tunnel via command line
To ensure a secure, encrypted connection with the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to our AIME servers we use an SSH tunnel. In the command line this can be achieved by executing the following command:
ssh -p <port> -nNT -L 4000:localhost:3389 admin@<gateway>The term <gateway>and the term <port> are again to be replaced by the gateway and the port-no. you got from AIME by E-mail. Instead of admin you can also use the user name your admin has created for you.
Now the remote desktop instance is available at localhost:4000 on your client and is ready to use with other programs like, for instance, Microsoft Remote Desktop. This step is not necessary in programs like Remmina or MobaXterm, since they are able to to create their own tunnel connection.
The tunnel connection is now established. The terminal doesn't show any further output. The connection stays alive as long as the terminal remains opened without the process terminated by Ctrl+c.
Setup a RDP connection on Linux with Remmina
To achieve the RDP connection in Linux without using the command line, you can use the program Remmina. First you need to install it, then run it to get the window shown below.
If not preselected, select RDP in the dropdown menu and click the
icon to create a new connection.
Enter a preferred name for your connection into the text field Name in the section Profile at the top of the window .
If not selected, go to the Tab Basic. Enter :3389 into the text field Server , admin or the user name your admin has created for you into the text field User name and your password into the text field User password. Choose True Color (24bpp) in the Color Depth dropdown menu. Leave everything unchanged in the tab Advanced.
Change to the tab SSH Tunnel.
Activate the checkboxes Enable SSH tunnel and Tunnel via loopback address. Click the radiobutton Custom and enter <gateway>:<port> into its related text field to choose the correct port. <gateway> and are to be replaced by the gateway and the port you got from AIME by E-mail (for instance gateXX.aime.info:2001). Enter again admin or the user name created by your admin into the text field User name.
When finished click Save and Connect. Enter the password again in the upcoming dialogue. Now you can see the Ubuntu desktop shown in the last chapter.
Setup a RDP connection on Windows 10 with MobaXterm
In Windows there are plenty of programs to establish RDP connections. In this article the program MobaXterm serves as an example. First you need to download and install it from https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net. Then run it to get the following window.
Click the "Session" button
to start creating a new session.
Click on the session type RDP to choose a Remote Desktop Protocol session.
In the area Basic Rdp settings enter the instance name of the server you got from AIME by E-mail into the text field Remote host. Enter admin or the user name created by your admin into the text field User name and choose the port 3389.
In the tab Advanced Rdp settings leave everything unchanged. Change to the tab Network settings.
Click the button SSH gateway (jump host)
Enter the gateway and the port you got from AIME by E-mail into the fields SSH-Gateway-Host and Port (for instance gateXX.aime.info and 2001). Enter again admin or the user name created by your admin into the text field User name. When finished click the OK-button. Change to the tab Bookmark settings.
Enter a desired session name into the related text field. If wanted, you can change the session icon with the button
. When finished click the OK-button to save your settings.
To connect with your new session, go to Sessions → User sessions → <your_session> or double-click on your session icon in the list on the left side of the main window. Enter the password in the upcoming dialogue. Now you can see the Ubuntu desktop shown in the last chapter.
Setup a RDP connection in Windows with Remote Desktop Connection
If you want to avoid third party software, you can also use Remote Desktop Connection preinstalled in Windows 10. First you need to establish a SSH tunnel via Command Prompt. To open it, enter cmd into the Windows search bar and confirm with Return. Execute the following command in the Command Prompt to create the SSH tunnel connection:
ssh -p <port> -nNT -L 4000:localhost:3389 admin@<gateway>The terms <port> and <gateway> are to be replaced by the port and the gateway you got from AIME by E-mail (for instance 2001 and gateXX.aime.info). Instead of admin you can also use the user name your admin has created for you. Leave the Command Prompt opened and run Remote Desktop Connection.
Click the button Show Options to get more options.
Enter localhost:4000 into the text field Computer and admin or the user name created by your admin into the text field User name. If you want to save your password for future connections after your first login, activate the checkbox Allow me to save credentials.
When finished, click the button Connect to start the new connection. Enter the password in the upcoming dialogue. Now you can see the Ubuntu desktop shown in the last chapter.
Setup a RDP connection in macOS with Microsoft Remote Desktop
To setup a remote desktop connection in macOS, you need to install Microsoft Remote Desktop via the AppStore. Afterwards open the command line and execute the following command to establish a SSH tunnel connection:
ssh -p <port> -nNT -L 4000:localhost:3389 admin@<gateway>The terms <port> and <gateway> are to be replaced by the port and the gateway you got from AIME by E-mail (for instance 2001 and gateXX.aime.info ). Instead of admin you can also use the user name your admin has created for you. Leave the command line opened and run Microsoft Remote Desktop to get the following window.
To create a new connection, click the +-icon and choose Add PC.
In the upcoming window shown above create a new user by choosing Add User Account... in the dropdown menu next to User account. The window shown below will open.
Enter admin or the user name your admin has created for you into the text field User name and your password into the text field Password. To achieve a better recognition of this user profile, you can define an individual name for it in the text field Friendly name. Once finished, confirm with the button Add.
Back in the window Add PC, the newly created user should be displayed in the field User account. Enter localhost:4000 into the text field PC nameOnce again you are able to define an individual name for this connection in the text field Friendly name for better recognition. If left blank, the name localhost:4000 is choosen. Leave all the other options unchanged and confirm with the button Add. The connection is now established.
In the main window of Microsoft Remote Desktop the newly created connection is supposed to be displayed like in the picture shown above. To start the connection, just doubleclick on the button of that connection. Now you are able to see the Ubuntu desktop shown in the last chapter.
Successful connection: Ubuntu Desktop via RDP
When you are successfully connected to the AIME server via RDP, you see the Ubuntu desktop shown below.
Now you can interact with the AIME server like with a local machine.