Guides

Connecting to Matrix

How to logon to matrix from another computer
About Matrix

Matrix is a UNIX server that is connecting to the college network and run by the Internet Society. Users are allowed to connect to it from inside college and from the Internet.

If you have no interest in using your UNIX account, you may be interesting in our other services, such as user-space, email and website.

Username & Password

You will need a username and password to connect to Matrix. You chose your username when you joined up with Netsoc, and we will have given you a password when we set up your account. Check your welcome mail for details. If you didn't receive a welcome mail, please contact the helpdesk.

Connecting to Matrix

PC Users: You can dowload Putty from http://support.netsoc.tcd.ie/software/putty.exe. You can either save it to your student filestorage, or on your PC at home and run it whenever you need it. Or you can choose 'Run this program from this location'. Make sure to check the 'SSH' button.

Alternatively, on college PCs, you can use the SSH client which is under Start | Programs.

The hostname is login.netsoc.tcd.ie, and you have your username and password.

MAC Users: Use MacSSH and follow these instructions:

  1. Click 'File' then 'Open Connection'.
  2. Enter the hostname 'login.netsoc.tcd.ie' (or just 'netsoc' if in TCD).
  3. Ensure the 'Secure Shell' checkbox is enabled.
  4. Click 'Connect'.
  5. Enter your netsoc username and password.
  6. Click 'Ok' to log on.

MAC Users (Alternative):

  1. Switch to the Finder
  2. Open a finder window (command-N)
  3. Click the "Applications" icon in the toolbar
  4. Open the "Utilities" Folder
  5. Open Terminal
  6. In the Terminal window that opens, type in: ssh -l yourmatrixusername netsoc
  7. you'll be asked to authorize the connection, so type in "yes" (not just "y")
  8. You're now connected


Once you're logged in, you'll get a prompt that looks like this:

7:46pm username@matrix [~]>

Congratulations, you're logged into Matrix!

From here on, everything is done with the keyboard, so put your mouse away... don't try to scroll up or down. Think typing commands. No more pointy-clicky.

Disconnecting

To disconnect, type exit or logout, or press Control-D.

Do not simply close the window, as this may leave you logged on.

See Also