Self-managed Linux

This page is about using DICE services from your own Linux computer. DICE services are run by the School of Informatics.

Login (ssh)

Use ssh to get a text-based secure login to DICE computers from your Linux machine. To increase security, use Kerberos too. Note that you'll need to be using a University or School VPN.

• ⇒ Using ssh from Linux.
• ⇒ Using Kerberos with ssh.
• ⇒ Set up Kerberos on Ubuntu.
• ⇒ VPNs in Edinburgh University.

Login (remote desktop)

The DICE remote desktop service gets you a graphical login.

• ⇒ The remote desktop service.
• ⇒ Remote desktop from Linux.

Web integration

You can make your web browser automatically sign you in to Informatics web sites when you visit them. This uses Kerberos.

• ⇒ Single sign-on for Informatics web sites.

Enforcing password quality

It's important that user login passwords are strong. The pam_pwquality module can help.

• ⇒ Configuring pam_pwquality on Ubuntu.

Your Informatics files (AFS)

You can use the DICE filesystem (AFS) directly from your own Linux computer. This uses Kerberos.

• ⇒ Use AFS on Linux.

How to make backups

If you keep University files on your own computer, you should make regular backup copies, in case your computer breaks or is lost.

• ⇒ How to make personal backups.
  
• ⇒ How to backup the data on your machine to the Informatics backup service.

More information

You can find out more on how to access the various Informatics services from your Linux machine by selecting the linux topic from the Choose a topic option in the right sidebar. The self-managed topic might also be of interest.