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This is a program that runs on your workstation/desktop OS that 'listens' for X-Window transmissions sent from the cluster and redisplays these on your workstation. These transmissions are generated by an application running on a host that you are connected to. For example, if you intend to use Ansys, Matlab,etc., on the cluster, you need to display the Ansys gui graphical interface locally on your desktop.
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What X-server solution is recommended?
Contact via email, staff@asunix.tuftscluster-support@tufts.edu with your request for X11 support.
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Open an Xterm window and connect with ssh to the head node of the cluster:
> ssh -Y -C yourusername@cluster6yourusername@login.uitcluster.tufts.edu
How can I make sure Cygwin is working with the cluster?
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A clock should appear on your desktop. If not your installation of cygwin is not complete.
Mac X11
What X server is needed for a Mac?
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What if X11 is not installed on your Mac?
Depending on the version of the operating system it is available from the installation DVD. For latest releases of OS X it is available from xquartz.macosforge.org as a package. You may also try Apple App Store.
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If X11 forwarding is set up properly then this command should display a string like "tunic6login.uitcluster.tufts.edu:xx.0". Where xx is a number, perhaps 10, 11, 12, etc... If X11 forwarding is not set up properly then it will just return a blank line.
Sometimes I get X11 related errors about the .Xauthority file, what to do?
All accounts have home directories with 500mb 5 Gig. quotas. If you are near the limit and try to login or use X based software, you may not be able to. Clean up by deleting some files, also delete the .Xauthority file, logout and back in and you should be all set.
How does one submit a job using as input an interactive program that has a gui but not support for unattended batch submissions?
There is a command called xvfb-run that is an xwindow virtual frame buffer.
This creates an environment for the program to run the gui unattended.
For example, it is convenient to use the Mathematica notebook .nb file format as input. However this is done normally in an interactive GUI session. To simulate this X based environment use the Xvfb functionality. For example, to submit a job:
-bash-3.2$ bsub -q normal_public6 xvfb-run mathematica your_notebook.nb
Other programs may benefit as well.
Note: consider adding to your mathematica notebook the appropriate save and quit commands at the end. This will ensure proper shutdown of the application.