CLEAR X11 Forwarding and Graphical Applications

X11 is no longer included with macOS, but X11 server and client libraries are available from the XQuartz project. For additional information, see the Apple support documentation.

The XQuartz project is an open-source effort to develop a version of the X.Org X Window System that runs on macOS. It can be downloaded from the XQuartz website.

X11 Shortcuts (Copy & Paste, Menus, Scrollbars, etc.)

Shortcuts can be used when working in an X11 application.

To get the Main Options contextual menu:
Control + Mouse Click

To get the VT Options contextual menu:
Control + Option + Mouse Click

To paste:
Option + Click

To paste between a macOS native application and an X11 application:

1. Copy from the macOS application (Edit menu > Copy).
2. Option + Click in the X11 application.

To paste between an X11 application and a macOS application:

1. Select Edit > Copy in the X11 application.
2. Select Edit > Paste in the macOS application.

X11 Customization and PATH Export

To have the scrollbar automatically appear when a new xterm window is created from the X11 menu, and to optionally source shell files so that PATH settings are preserved, customize the xterm entry in the X11 Applications menu.

For a basic xterm with a scrollbar:

xterm -sb

For Fink:

source /sw/bin/init.sh ; xterm -sb

For a Bash shell startup file:

source .profile; xterm -sb

For additional support, visit XQuartz Support.

This section provides instructions for installing and starting an X11 server on Windows.

X11 is available for Windows using Xming. Xming is an X Window System server for Windows based on the X.Org source and MinGW compiler tools.

The Xming developer and download website is available at Xming Notes.

Installation

Go to the Xming website.

Locate the available releases and select the appropriate Xming installer. Run the downloaded installer and follow the installation wizard prompts.

Starting Xming

Run "XLaunch" and accept the default settings. This will start the X11 server on your local Windows system.

Alternative X11 Servers

Other X11 server options for Windows include:

• Xming
• VcXsrv
• MobaXterm
• Cygwin/X

MobaXterm is a unified X11 server with integrated tools. It provides an enhanced terminal for Windows with an X11 server, tabbed SSH client, graphical SFTP client, network tools, and additional utilities.

Introduction

The screenshots and instructions in this section are based on Version 23 of MobaXterm Home Edition.

MobaXterm Home Page

Download

Start the MobaXterm Download Process

Choose the Home Installer Edition (free) or Professional Edition (paid), depending on your needs. The Home Edition will work for most users.

When prompted, choose the "Installer edition".

Installation

• A MobaXterm installer ZIP file will be downloaded to your computer.
• Extract the ZIP file. You should see the installer files.
• Run the MobaXterm_installer_<version>.msi file to start the standard Windows installation process.
• Follow the prompts to install MobaXterm on your computer.

Starting MobaXterm

Use the Windows application search and enter "MobaXterm". Select MobaXterm and then select "Open". You do not need to run MobaXterm as an administrator.

When MobaXterm is running, you should see a window similar to the following:

SSH Configuration

For most uses, the required SSH configuration options can be set from the same session configuration screen.

X11 Forwarding & Duo Support

Select Session > SSH > Advanced SSH settings.

Make sure "X11-Forwarding" is enabled and the "Remote environment" is set to "Interactive shell".

SSH Session Settings

Enter ssh.clear.rice.edu in the "Remote host" field. You may also select "Specify username" and enter your Rice NetID.

Select "OK" and MobaXterm will start an SSH session to ssh.clear.rice.edu.

SSH Session

Your session will start with a login request or password prompt, depending on whether you specified your username. Enter your Rice NetID, not your email address.

Enter your Rice NetID password. Your password is case-sensitive and no characters will appear as you type.

The final step is Duo two-factor authentication. Make your selection and respond as appropriate.

The SSH session may display several lines of system information after login. You can use the scroll bar to review the output.

To test that X11 forwarding is working, type xterm. You should see a terminal window open on your local system. Type exit in the new terminal window to close it.

SFTP Configuration

From the initial MobaXterm window, select "Session".

In the "Session settings" window, select the "SFTP" icon and select "OK".

Enter the server name and your Rice NetID in the Username field, then select the "Advanced SFTP settings" tab.

In the "Advanced SFTP settings" window, enable "2-steps authentication" for Duo authentication and select "OK".

Enter your Rice NetID password and select "OK".

The next window may also be labeled "Password", but this prompt is for Duo authentication. Enter a Duo passcode or the option number corresponding to the Duo authentication method you want to use: 1 for Duo Push, 2 for a phone call, or 3 for SMS passcodes.

After a successful login, you will be presented with a graphical SFTP file management interface where you can drag and drop files between your local system and the remote CLEAR system.

Additional CLEAR Servers

The ssh.clear.rice.edu address connects you to one of the available CLEAR systems. You may also connect directly to a specific CLEAR system when needed.

The CLEAR login message may display a list of currently available systems and their workload.

To connect to a specific system, create a new SSH session by selecting Session > SSH, enter the desired server name in the "Remote host" field, and select "OK".

Using SCP

SCP is an SSH-based utility for copying files between your local system and the CLEAR systems. In MobaXterm, graphical file transfer tools become available after an SSH connection is established.

1. The SCP file transfer tool.
2. The remote directory, such as your CLEAR home directory.
3. The download and upload controls.

Rice IT Service Desk

The Rice IT Service Desk can assist with general computing questions and support. See How to Contact the IT Service Desk.

For suggested improvements to this document, submit a request through the Request Help form and include "CLEAR" and "MobaXterm" in the subject.