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→INVESTIGATION 1: ACCESSING YOUR MATRIX LINUX ACCOUNT
= INVESTIGATION 1: ACCESSING YOUR MATRIX LINUX ACCOUNT =
<span style="color:red;">'''ATTENTION''': The due date for successfully completing this tutorial (i.e. tutorial 1) is by Friday, November 5th by midnight (Week 8).</span><br><br>
In this investigation, you will learn how to connect and login to your Matrix account by issuing a command from your computer's text-based terminal<br>and/or by downloading, installing a running a graphical Windows SSH graphical application.
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HIDE UNTIL STUDENTS RETURN TO COLLEGE AFTER PANDEMIC CRISIS
[[Image:apps-anywhere-main-window.png|thumb|right|250px|'''MyApps''' ('''AppsAnywhere''') Main Window ]]
If you were able to access one of Seneca computer labs, you could access an application to connect to your Matrix account via the '''MyApps''' application.
Since many students are '''not''' permitted to access Seneca's computer labs at this time due to '''COVID19''', you can install and run the '''AppsAnywhere''' application (which works in an identical way to MyApps) on a remote Windows computer. This application is an application streaming service that lets you install software on any Seneca PC on demand. Any software application on the AppsAnywhere menu can be used on computers in classrooms, labs, and the Computing Commons.
Reference: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/its/software/myapps/
'''NOTE:''' Although you can install and run the AppsAnywhere application on an Apple Mac computer, you will NOT have access to many of the Windows applications (including applications to connect to your Matrix account). In this case, you can open a '''terminal''' and issue the '''ssh''' command to connect to your Matrix account.
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===CONNECTING TO YOUR MATRIX ACCOUNT FROM A COMMAND LINE TERMINAL===
[[Image:gp1.png|thumb|right|130px|The '''GlobalProtect Student VPN''' service must be connected.]]
You will now learn a quick and simple method of connecting to your Matrix account by opening<br>a text-based '''terminal''' (in any OS) and issuing the '''ssh command'''.<br><br>
'''Perform the Following Steps:'''
# Before proceeding, make certain that your '''Seneca GlobalProtect Student VPN is connected'''.<br><br>If you haven't set this up, refer to the following link for instructions;<br>https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/77/it-services/wiki/view/3722/student-vpn<br><br>'''NOTE:''' You only have to connect to your Seneca GlobalProtect student VPN once during the day,<br>or while you are logged into your computer.<br><br>
# Determine which '''operating system''' that your computer is using.<br><br>
# Try connecting to your Matrix account using the instructions in the '''table''' below based on <u>your</u> '''current operating system'''.<br><br>
<table style="margin-left:50px;">
<tr valign="top" style="text-align:center;">
<th>'''Newer Version of Windows 10:'''</th>
<th>'''MacOSX:''' </th>
<th>'''Linux:''' </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
*From the start menu, type '''cmd''' and launch program
*In the command terminal, enter the following command:<br><span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold;font-size:.75em;">ssh senecausername@matrix.senecacollege.ca</span>
</td>
<td>
*Click ''Launchpad'' icon, type '''terminal'''<br>and press '''ENTER'''
*In the terminal, enter the following command:<br><span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold;font-size:.75em;">ssh senecausername@matrix.senecacollege.ca</span>
</td>
<td>
*From the menu, choose:<br>'''Applications''' > '''System Tools''' > '''Terminal'''
*In the terminal, enter the following command:<br><span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold;font-size:.75em;">ssh senecausername@matrix.senecacollege.ca</span>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<ol><li value="4">When connecting securely for the '''first time''', a '''dialog box''' will appear to share a "'''public key'''" with your Matrix account in order to make your interaction between your workstation and the remote Linux server secure within the network (i.e. encrypted to prevent unauthorized access by other users)<br><br>''<b>FYI:</b> To make communications over a network '''secure''', a computer generates '''two keys''': a '''private key''' that is kept on the computer, and a '''public key''', which can be shared with other computers. Transmissions from your computer uses the private key to encrypt ('''scramble''') transmission to the remote computer, which in turn, uses the public key to decrypt (unscramble) the transmission. Likewise, the remote computer uses the public key to encrypt (scramble) transmissions and your computer uses the private key to decrypt ('''unscramble''') those transmissions.''<br><br></li><li>Type '''yes''' and press '''ENTER''' to share your public key.<br><br>Next, a '''dialog box''' will appear prompting you for your Matrix account '''password''' in order to gain entry to your Matrix account.<br>Your Matrix password is <u>identical</u> to your Seneca password. As you type the password, the text will be '''blocked-out''' or '''hidden'''<br>to prevent others from viewing the screen to obtain your password<br><br></li><li>Enter your Seneca password and press '''ENTER'''<br><br></li>'''NOTE:''' If you encounter an '''error message''', this can occur for several reasons:<ol><li>You mis-spelled the '''name of the server'''</li><li>You mis-spelled your Matrix '''username''' (same username that you connect to ''my.senecacollege.ca'')</li><li>You have '''CAPS LOCK''' on by mistake (your username should be '''lowercase''' only).</li><li>You mis-spelled your '''password''' (same password that you connect to ''my.senecacollege.ca'')<br><br>If you continue to experience the same problems, click on the following link for IT service desk contact info: <br>[https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/122/support/wiki/view/3524/contact-its '''IT service desk'''].<br><br></li></ol>
<li>If you entered your password correctly, the '''Matrix Linux shell''' should appear where you can enter Linux commands.<br><br>The '''Matrix''' server has been configured to allow users to '''only interact with the Linux OS by issuing commands'''.<br>The main reason for this is to '''force students to learn how to issue Linux commands'''.<br><br></li><li>To '''exit''' your Matrix session, type the command <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">exit</span> followed by '''ENTER'''<br><br>'''NOTE:''' You should notice that you are returned to the original command prompt where you issued the ''ssh'' command.<br><br></li><li>Type the same command at the '''command terminal prompt''': <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">exit</span> followed by '''ENTER'''<br><br>
'''NOTE:''' You should notice that the you are disconnected and that the original terminal window has '''automatically closed'''.<br><br></li><li>Try accessing your Matrix account, and then exiting your Matrix account several times to become familiar with this process.<br><br>You will now learn an '''alternative method''' to access your Matrix account (if you have an MS Windows machine)<br>by downloading and running a graphical SSH application.</li></ol><br>
===CONNECTING TO YOUR MATRIX ACCOUNT FROM A GRAPHICAL WINDOWS APPLICATION===
You can also install and run a free '''MS Windows graphical SSH application''' in order to connect to your Matrix account.<br>You may find it useful when running a graphical SSH application to '''copy and paste text'''. There are several applications<br>that you can download and install, but we will be using the SSH Secure Shell Client application for this tutorial.<br><br>
'''Perform the Following Steps:'''
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HARD TO GET STUDENTS TO RUN APPS ANYWHERE FROM HOME DUE TO PANDEMIC
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<table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:ma_1.png|thumb|right|150px|Click on Login button.]]</td><td>[[Image:ma_2.png|thumb|right|150px|Enter your Seneca email address.]]</td><td>[[Image:ma_3.png|thumb|right|150px|Authenticate via your Seneca username and password.]]</td></table>
# Open a web-browser on your Windows PC.<br><br>
# Click on the following link: https://myapps.senecacollege.ca/<br><br>
# Click the '''Login''' button to proceed.<br><br>
# When prompted, enter your your Seneca College email address.<br><br>
# You will be taken to the ''authentication dialog box'': enter your Seneca College username and password.<br><br><table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:ma_4.png|thumb|right|150px|Click on on the blue area.]]</td><td>[[Image:ma_5.png|thumb|right|150px|Click on '''Next''' to install the streaming application.]]</td><td>[[Image:apps-anywhere-main-window.png|thumb|right|250px|'''MyApps''' ('''AppsAnywhere''') Main Application Window ]]</td></table>
# A '''dialog box''' appears to offer a choice of actions. You need to install an application to support the Apps Anywhere streaming service.<br>Click on the <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">blue</span> area to install the application.<br><br>
# Click '''Next''' to proceed with installing the streaming application.<br><br>'''NOTE''': You may be require to '''authenticate''' using your computer account's password. Also, you may be required to '''restart''' your computer after the application has been installed.<br><br>If you restarted your computer, then launch a '''web-browser''' and click on the following '''link''' to resume: https://myapps.senecacollege.ca/<br>You may be required to login and validate like you did in previous steps.<br><br>
# You should notice that the '''AppsAnywhere''' main application window appears.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' You may see a '''Validation in Process''' (or a '''validation successful''') message appear .<br>Although your applications are displayed, you <u>cannot</u> launch them until the validation process is successful.<br><br><table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:ma_validation.png|thumb|right|175px|Validation in Process Message in AppsAnywhere. ]]</td><td>[[Image:ma_system_tray.png|thumb|right|175px|Starting '''Cloudpaging''' Service in your '''System Tray'''. ]]</td><tr></table>You can tell if the system is still validating if an red exclamation mark <span style="color:red; font-weight:bold">!</span> appears in the application icon.<br><br>If the validation process is taking a long time, try opening the '''Cloudpaging''' service in the '''system tray''' located in the right side of the taskbar (you may need to click to display ALL services and then '''double-click''' the '''Cloudpaging''' application to launch).<br><br>
# After your AppsAnywhere session has been validated, click on the '''Search Apps''' area located in the top right corner of the AppsAnywhere window and type the word: <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">ssh</span><br><br>[[Image:apps-anywhere.png|thumb|right|250px|Several SSH applications will appear. We will use the application called '''SSH Client''' for this practice tutorial. ]]
# Several SSH applications will appear. <br><br>'''NOTE:''' All of these applications allow you to connect to your Matrix account.<br>We will use the application called '''SSH Secure Shell Client''' for this practice tutorial.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' If you encounter an error trying to launch the SSH application via AppsAnywhere,<br>click on the following link for IT service desk contact info: [https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/122/support/wiki/view/3524/contact-its '''IT service desk'''].<br><br>
# Launch the '''SSH Secure Shell Client''' application icon to launch this program.<br><br>'''TIP:''' Prior to launching the application, you can add this to your '''favourites''' which will make it faster<br>to access this application in the future.<br><br><span style="color:blue">'''NOTE #1''': If you experience a problem launching any of your applications, you should note that there is a '''Cloudpaging Player''' application<br>that lists applications launched. If your application did '''NOT''' launch properly, '''right click''' on each listed application and select '''remove''' from the menu.<br>Then re-launch your application from the AppsAnywhere page (the IT service desk indicated that this can occasionally occur).<br><br>
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# '''Click''' the following '''link''' to download and install the free SSH Secure Shell application on your Windows computer:<br>http://www.sfsu.edu/ftp/win/ssh/SSHSecureShellClient-3.2.9.exe<br><br>'''NOTE:''' If you can't download or run this link, check to see if you computer allows downloads from this site.<br><br><table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:ssh-application-icon.png|thumb|right|75px|Double-click SSH icon on desktop to launch application]]</td><td>[[Image:ssh-main-window.png|thumb|right|150px|SSH Client Application Window ]]</td></table>
# After the application has been installed, an application icon should appear on your desktop.<br>'''Double click''' the '''SSH Secure Shell Client''' application icon to run this application.<br><br>The main SSH Client window will appear. Let's learn how to connect to and login to our Matrix account using this graphical SSH application.<br><br>
# Click the '''Quick Connect''' button.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' The ''Connect dialog box'' allows the user to specify the '''server name''' and your '''account name''' to allow you to connect to the server.<br><br>[[Image:quick-connect-window.png|thumb|right|150px|Quick Connect Dialog Box ]]
# Click on the textbox labelled '''Hostname''' and type the text: <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">matrix.senecacollege.ca</span><br><br>'''NOTE:''' You can use the hostname '''matrix''' if you are at Seneca college.<br>If you where located <u>outside</u> Seneca's network, then you would need to enter<br>the <u>full</u> domain name: '''matrix.senecacollege.ca'''<br><br>You will be using the latter hostname since you will be connecting to your Matrix account remotely<br>and not within the college.<br><br>[[Image:share-public-key.png|thumb|right|150px|Dialog Box to Share Public Key on Remote Server ]]
# Click on the textbox labelled '''User Name''' and type your Seneca username (i.e. same as your Seneca userid).<br><br>
# Click the '''Connect''' button.<br><br>
# When connecting securely for the '''first time''', a '''dialog box''' will appear to share a "public key" with your Matrix account in order to make your interaction between your workstation and the remote Linux server secure within the network (i.e. encrypted to prevent unauthorized access by other users).<br><br>
# Click the '''Yes''' button to share your public key.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' In subsequent logins to your Matrix account, you may experience a ''welcome dialog box'' - simply click '''OK''' to proceed.<br><br>
# Next, a '''dialog box''' will appear prompting you for your '''Matrix account password''' in order to gain entry to your Matrix account. Your Matrix password is identical to your Seneca password. As you type the password, the text will be blocked-out or hidden to prevent others from viewing the screen to obtain your password<br><br><table align="right"><tr valign="top"><td>[[Image:ssh-password-prompt.png|thumb|right|150px|Password Dialog Box ]]</td><td>[[Image:ssh-authentication-response.png|thumb|right|150px|Authentication Response Dialog Box ]]</td></table>
# '''Enter your password''' and click '''OK'''.<br><br>[[Image:ssh-login-error.png|thumb|right|150px|SSH Login Error ]]
# Click '''OK''' at the ''Authentication Response dialog box''.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' If you encounter an '''error message''', this can occur for several reasons:<ol><li>You mis-spelled the '''name of the server'''</li><li>You mis-spelled your Matrix '''username''' (same username that you connect to my.senecacollege.ca)</li><li>You have '''CAPS LOCK''' on by mistake (your username should be '''lowercase''' only).</li><li>You mis-spelled your '''password''' (same password that you connect to my.senecacollege.ca)</li></ol><br>If you continue to experience the same problems,<br>click on the following link for IT service desk contact info: [https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/122/support/wiki/view/3524/contact-its '''IT service desk'''].<br><br>[[Image:ssh-shell-window.png|thumb|right|150px|Matrix Shell Command Line Interface ]]
#If you followed the login steps correctly, the '''SSH Linux shell should appear''' where you enter Linux commands.<br><br>The '''Matrix''' server has been configured to allow users to '''only interact with the Linux OS by issuing commands'''. There are various reasons for this, but the main 2 reasons are to '''force students to learn how to issue Linux commands''' as well as '''limitations to remote access to a graphical Linux server''' due to large number of users (students).<br><br>
'''Configuring your Graphical Windows SSH Application'''
You can '''configure''' your Windows graphical SSH application to adjust elements such as<br>'''text font type''' and '''text font size'''. [[Image:ssh-settings-window.png|thumb|right|150px|SSH Settings Dialog Box ]]<br><br>We will now show you how to configure just your '''SSH Secure Shell Client''' application,<br>(FYI: other SSH applications available in the '''Week 1 reference section''' also have the ability to configure settings).<br><br>
'''Perform the Following Steps:'''
# Click on the '''Edit''' menu item, and then select '''Settings''' in the Edit drop-down menu.<br><br>
# To change the font size, under the ''Global Settings'' section, click '''Font'''<br><br>
# Select a larger ''font size'' and click '''OK'''<br><br>
# You now should notice that you have customized your SSH shell terminal. You can use the settings screen<br>to also change your background and text '''colours''' if you are interested in doing so.<br><br>
# Try moving your mouse pointer to the bottom right-hand corner of the SSH application window,<br>then '''click and drag''' outwards to make the application window larger.<br><br>
# To exit your Matrix session, type the command <span style="color:blue;font-weight:bold">exit</span> followed by '''ENTER'''<br><br>'''NOTE:''' You should notice that the colour of the text changes slightly when disconnected<br>and you are unable to issue Linux commands from that window.<br><br>
# After you have disconnected from your account, '''close''' the SSH Secure Shell Client application window.<br><br>'''NOTE:''' You are '''STRONGLY ADVISED''' to use the '''exit''' command to properly terminate your Matrix session<br>'''<u>PRIOR</u>''' to closing the SSH or terminal application window!<br><br>In the next investigation, you will learn how to '''issue Linux commands''', issue a '''checking program''' to confirm that you logged into your Matrix account, and how to <u>setup</u> and <u>perform</u> the '''first two sections of the online ULI101 assignment #1'''.<br><br>
= INVESTIGATION 2: USING THE LINUX SHELL =
= LINUX PRACTICE QUESTIONS =