Lab 0 - SOFTICE Introduction

From SOFTICE

Pedagogical Objectives

• Connect to the SOFTICE Cluster
• Work with Linux

Developed by:

• Dave Armitage
• Matt Rideout

Synopsis

The purpose of this lab is to familiarize you with the SOFTICE environment, which you will be using to conduct labs.

[Briefing] The SOFTICE Environment

The SOFTICE environment consists of five hardware/software components:

• Linux - this is a portable operating system, closely enough resembling Unix that it is considered a Unix family member. Virtually all Unix commands will work in Linux, although with minor differences (much as there are minor implementation differences between different “flavors” of Unix). Indeed, there are minor differences between different “flavors” of Linux as well – the specific type of Linux used on the SOFTICE server is Debian. We have supplied a handout on some vary basic commands you will use in Linux, but make no claim that it contains all the Linux commands you will need during this course. There are ample Linux tutorials and primers available on the web – use Google or some other search engine to find them.
• SOFTICE Cluster - this is a Linux based cluster of several off the shelf PCs that work together to provide a powerful processing capability. The Linux operating system supports the systems that are part of the cluster, which includes a central server (penguin.lakeland.usf.edu) and several “compute nodes”. As a student, you need not be concerned with clustering details, but will need a fair degree of familiarity with Linux capabilities and commands (see above).
• User-Mode Linux (UML) - software that enables you to create one or more “virtual Linux-based systems,” all running within the system you are using. This capability is important because:
  • It enables you to experiment with networks consisting of several hosts (machines) at the same time, without monopolizing several physical systems.
  • Network experimentation frequently requires “root access” – or unlimited access to machine and operating system capabilities. Providing a novice with these capabilities would result in mistakes that can corrupt the system, making time-consuming O/S re-installations necessary. UML allows the experimenter to be operating with only user (vs. root) privileges in their own account, yet have root access to all virtual machines UML creates for them.
  • Networks set up under UML (as we will use it) do not have access to outside networks. This prevents the experimenter from making (quite natural) mistakes that can bring down the campus network!
• Secure Shell (SSH) - an application, installed on machines in campus labs and downloadable from a USF site, that allows you to connect as a terminal to the SOFTICE Cluster. Your instructor will demonstrate how to connect to the SOTICE Cluster using SSH.
• pico - a simple text editor available under Linux.

[Exercises]

Complete the following exercises, recording your findings, and the procedures used to obtain them in your log.

Exercise 0-1: Connecting to SOFTICE

Connect to the SOFTICE Cluster. The exact procedures will likely vary from course to course. Check with your instructor, who should have used a presentation similar to this one during the first class session.

Exercise 0-2: Navigating in SOFTICE

In this exercise, you will learn to navigate the your account's directory structure.

1. Connect to the SOFTICE Cluster using the secure shell (SSH) program. When you have completed this process, you will find yourself in your home directory on a SOFTICE server. [Note: you may return to your home directory at any time by entering the cd (change directory) command.

cd

2. Display the contents of your home directory, using the options that will allow you to see all files and sub-directories. See the Linux handout if needed.

3. Execute the touch command on the .bashrc file.

touch .bashrc

4. Display the contents of your home directory, using the options that will allow you to see all files and sub-directories. How have the directory's contents changed since step 2?

Exercise 0-3: Disconnect from SOFTICE

1. When you're finished working on SOFTICE, you can logout by running the exit command:

exit

References