X11
| Download | Apple site |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Web Page | Apple site |
X11R6, or more commonly X11, is a program provided with Macintosh computers that allows one total X Window System implementation for running X11-based applications. X11 runs seemlessly with Aqua, so you may run Macintosh applications side-by-side with Linux programs, allowing for convenient interaction between platforms.
Usage at Duke
The majority of Duke students use X11 to remotely access Linux machines in order to use university owned programs such as Matlab. Although, you may also use it just like Console for personal use on your Macintosh computer.
Installation
As of Mac OS X 10.4, X11 is not pre-installed with the rest of the bundled Macintosh applications (iLife Suite, Mail, GarageBand, etc). You must install it yourself. In order to do this, insert your OS X Install Disc 1, and select Optional Installs. Then, when you are prompted at the custom installation screen, check X11 under applications and click continue. Once the installation is finished, you may have to restart your computer. Now you are ready to use X11!
Creating a Remote Connection
In order to connect to a computer remotely, simply start up X11 (which may need to be installed), and type:
xhost +
ssh -X -Y NetId@ComputerName.oit.duke.edu
Where "NetId" is your Duke Net ID, and "ComputerName" represents a linux computer at Duke:
- Carr:
carr##.oit.duke.edu(## = 1 to 16) - Hudson:
hudson##.oit.duke.edu(## = 1 to 21) - Soc-Psych:
soc##.oit.duke.edu(## = 1 to 16) - Teer:
teer##.oit.duke.edu(## = 1 to 45)
You should be prompted to answer yes or no to a question if it is the first time you are connecting to a computer, followed by your Net ID password. Then, you should be able to use the X11 terminal just like a Linux terminal. The "-X" is apparently important for some machines. No idea why... The "-Y" means you are initiating a trusted connection, which is necessary for using graphical applications (gimp, matlab, gnobots2, etc.). You may type exit at anytime or simply quit X11 to close the connection.
After you have done this once, all you have to type the next time you startup X11 is "!ssh", which will automatically remember the last address you connected to.
