MindTerm - Secure Shell Login via a Web Browser

If you need to access your NRAO UNIX account from elsewhere, but don't have a secure shell (ssh, slogin, PuTTY, SecureCRT) client program, this facility is for you. It uses "MindTerm", a secure shell client program written in Java, so you can get a remote login just using a web browser.

MindTerm is a nice alternative to use when traveling, but it is not a permanent substitute for having a secure shell client such as PuTTY, SecureCRT or OpenSSH (slogin, ssh) on your laptop or at the remote institution.

To connect to a NRAO site, choose one here:

[ Charlottesville | Green Bank | Socorro ]

Notes on MindTerm requirements and usage

MindTerm is a Java Applet that provides an ssh terminal in any Java enabled web browser; you can use this as a means of connecting to our server in an encrypted manner from remote locations. To use MindTerm:

You will need:

1. One of these browsers:
   • Mozilla 0.9.3 or newer (with the Java plugin)
   • Netscape Navigator or Communicator 4.7 or newer
   • Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer.

2. Make sure JAVA is enabled! MindTerm will not work otherwise.

How to use:

1. Click on the site you want to connect to. The initial download of the java applet may take several minutes on a slow dialup connection; be patient!

2. You may see one or more popups, asking if you want to install and run an applet distributed by "Appgate Aktiebolag" and whether you accept the license agreement, the answer is always yes.

3. You may see more popups if this is the first time you've used mindterm on whatever computer you're sitting on, as it may need to set up some local saved files (known hosts, etc.).

4. While the applet is loading, a grey box will probably appear in the browser. After it has loaded fully, it'll look something like this. Notice it'll say:
   
   
   • "press <ctrl> + <mouse-3> for Menu"
     Unless you want to customize or use advanced features for your mindterm session, ignore this.
     Note: "mouse 3" is a Unix-ism for the right mouse button, and the "<ctrl> + " means to hold control down while you're right clicking.
     
     
   • "Mindterm home: /some/where"
     This is simply where preferences for mindterm on the computer you're in front of will be stored.
     
     
   • "SSH Server/Alias: ssh.aoc.nrao.edu"
     This is the internet domain name of the system you're going to log into; in this example, the user chose to log into the AOC. If it's correct,
     just press <ENTER>.
     
     
   • It'll possibly say "No settings file for ssh.aoc.nrao.edu" and ask you to save it as an alias;
     just press <ENTER> again.
     
     
   • Then (be patient; you're almost done!), you may see a popup saying
     "Do you want to add this host to your set of known hosts (check fingerprint)";
     click on "yes".
     
     
   • Finally, you get a login prompt:
     ssh.aoc.nrao.edu login: pmurphy
     Press <ENTER> again and be prepared to enter your password as with a normal login.

Policy, Terms of Use

National Radio Astronomy Observatory computing facilities are exclusively for the use of authorized personnel, who are expected to abide by the terms of the NRAO Computing Security and Computing Use Policies.

Usage, including the IP address of your computer, is logged, and logs are monitored routinely.

MindTerm References

1. Mindterm Features
2. Mindterm Frequently Asked Questions
3. Technical Specifications
4. The Company Behind Mindterm