Using the Linux Server

The Linux server, vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu is a powerful yet noisy computer, so it is set to “hibernate” when not in use.

To use it, you need first to request credentials, and a training session will be scheduled. Each time you plan to use it, you will need to (1) wake it up, (2) set the Wall to Linux and turn it on, and (3) set the KVM to Linux, as follows:

• The library public PC has a “folder” named WallControl, with shortcuts to WakeUp-Linux-Server, WallCOntrollerGUI and PuTTY.
• To wake up the Linux server, use WakeUp-Linux-Server to start the WakeMeOnLan program; select the one entry vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu, click on the alarm clock button located on the upper left, and confirm that you wish to wake up that computer:

  

  A few seconds later you should hear the server’s fans noise as it is booting up. The fans will speed up and the noise will go up at first, the settle down.

  Please do not change that program configuration.

• The next step is to use the WallControllerGUI program, on either the Wall PC or the library public PC and set the Wall to Linux.

  The monitors on the Wall will all turn blue at first and after a couple of minutes you should see that the Linux machine is booting:

  

• Once you see that booting screen, use the KVM switch to toggle to Linux, the 24” monitor will turn and stay black for a while (if you do this too early, the KVM switch might auto-switch back to PC mode).

There is no need to type anything, let the booting procedure to complete. It will take close to 5 minutes to complete, until you see the following:

Once you see the login screen, log in with your credentials.

It is recommeded that the first time you log on vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu you use the command source /usr/local/bin/gnome-init-config to initialize your gnome configuration.

When you are done using the Linux server, we ask you to put it back to “hibernation” as follows: (1) log into vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu using ssh (or PuTTY on the library public PC) and (2) type set-host-to-sleep and confirm by typing ’yes’.

You should see something like this:

[guest0001@vwalllnx ˜]$ set-host-to-sleep
This script will set vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu to sleep (hybrid-sleep)
  are you sure [no/yes]?  yes
+ Tue Mar 15 17:39:48 EDT 2022 guest0001 is setting vwalllnx.cfa.harvard.edu to sleep (hybrid-sleep)
= Tue Mar 15 17:39:48 EDT 2022 done, the computer will be "sleeping" in a minute or so.
Log off now...

You will need to log off promptly or kill your ssh (or PuTTY) session.