GSI-SSHTerm Application Help
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GSI-SSHTerm is an application written in Java that enables to you connect to a server running GSISSH using your UK e-Science grid certificate. You will need Java JDK 1.5 or higher installed to run the application. Once you have been granted access to a server, (e.g. in the case of the NGS you need to have an account) you may connect to it by running the application and entering the host you wish to connect to:
You now need to authenticate yourself in one of five ways:
- Using a local proxy certificate
- Using your certificate as PEM formatted files (usercert.pem, userkey.pem)
- Using a proxy certificate stored in MyProxy
- Using your certificate stored in this or another browser
1. Using a local proxy certificate
If you already have a proxy certificate present then the application will use it automatically and you will not be prompted for anything.
2. Using your certificate as PEM formatted files (usercert.pem, userkey.pem)
If your certificate is already present in the default location (~/.globus on Linux or: C:/Documents and Settings/{windowsusernamehere}/.globus on Windows) then the application will ask for your passphrase:
The "Use Another Method" button can be used to access other authentication methods.
3. Using a proxy certificate stored in MyProxy
If you have uploaded a proxy certificate to the MyProxy server, e.g. by running the myproxy-init command or the Myproxy Upload Tool then you can retrieve it from the application and select Use MyProxy after checking your proxy name is correct and entering your proxy passphrase:
4. Using your certificate as a PKCS#12 formatted file
If you have exported your certificate from your browser as a *.p12 or *.pfx file then you can select it from the appliction. Once you have done this, enter your private key passphrase and select Use Certificate:
5. Using your certificate stored in this or another browser
If your certificate is loaded into the certificate store in your browser then it can be directly used, even if you are running the terminal as an application or in another browser. In Windows Internet Explorer, Firefox and Mozila are supported and under Linux Firefox and Mozilla are supported. To begin select Use Certificate from Browser, from the above window. The application will then ask you to select which browser (and profile for Firefox and Mozilla) to use:
Please note that this choice can only be made once in the lifetime of the application. If you wish to change your mind please restart your browser window if running as an applet or restart the application.
A. Internet Explorer (Windows)
Selecting Internet Explorer causes the application to ask which certificate to use:
Once you have chosen the certificate you which to use the Windows Certificate store may confirm that you wish to allow the terminal to access your certificates:
You must select OK to continue. Once you have allowed access to your certificate store once, you will not need to do so again untill you restart the browser/application.
B. Firefox and Mozilla (Windows and Linux)
When Firefox or Mozilla are selected the application needs to know your "Master Certificate Store Password" that you have protected your Firefox or Mozilla certificate store with:
After entering your passphrase the correct certificate can be chosen:
Once you have entered your password correctly once, you will not need to enter it again untill you restart the browser/application.