Connecting to Linux Instances using X2Go

Install the X2Go Client

• Linux
  • On RedHat or CentOS, enable EPEL repo and install the x2goclient package
  • On Fedora, install the x2goclient package
• On Windows or OSX, download and run the X2Go Client installer from http://wiki.x2go.org/doku.php/download:start or via the direct links below
  • Windows installer direct link
  • OS X 10.6 or higher installer direct link
  • OS X 10.9 or higher installer direct link

Start an instance on Anvil with Xfce

Start a new instance with any of the images that include Xfce.

Steps:

1. Under Compute… Instances… click the ‘Launch Instance’ button
2. Choose ‘Boot from image’, and select your desired image (here ‘CentOS 7.2 Xfce’ is used)

   

3. On the ‘Access and Security’ tab, ensure the ‘default’ security group is checked. This will allow incoming SSH access.
   

   

4. On the ‘Networking’ tab, add the ‘Cluster Interface’ network only

   

5. Launch the instance
6. On the instances page, note the IP Address of your new instance

Connect with the X2Go Client

Create a new session with the following settings:

1. Host: IP address of your instance
2. Login: centos
3. RSA key: Configure with the id_rsa key pair you used to create the instance
4. Session type: XFCE
5. Click ‘OK’ to save your new session

Open the connection:

1. Anvil instances are on a private network. To reach them with SSH, you’ll need to connect to the Anvil VPN.
2. Click on the session in X2Go Client to open it
3. The first time you connect, you’ll be asked to confirm the SSH key of the remote server.

   

4. After a couple seconds, a desktop will open. Click ‘Use default config’ to get a standard Xfce Linux desktop.
   

   

5. You’re ready to use your Xfce Linux desktop