Using MindTerm

MindTerm is an SSH (Secure SHell) client that provides you with a secure login window to the C.S. department computer network. It is similar to using a telnet client, but the entire session - including the sending of passwords - is securely encrypted.

In order to use MindTerm, all you need is a computer running a modern web browser with Java support, such as Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer, and possibly others; Java must be enabled.

MindTerm supports:

Full xterm/vt102 terminal emulation including colors, line-draw graphics, mouse support, and function keys; support includes: xterm, linux, aixterm, scoansi, att6368, sun, vt220, vt100, ansi, vt52, xterm-color, linux-lat, at386, vt102.
Authentication with password, RSA, and others.
Several block cipher formats.
SSH tunneling including X11 forwarding.
Built-in SCP client (with GUI) for simple file-transfer.
FTP proxying.
Simultaneous sessions in different windows, and window ``cloning''.
And many more features... See the MindBright web page for more details.

MindTerm runs as a Java applet, and thus can be run in either of two modes: signed and unsigned. A signed (via a certificate) applet is trusted, and can access your local computer resources (e.g., files on your PC). An unsigned applet is not trusted, and cannot access your local resources (sometimes referred to as ``running in the sandbox'').

When running an unsigned MindTerm applet, you cannot save files to your local disk, and copy/paste operations will probably not work either. Also, your browser window product a message like ``Unsigned Java Applet Window'', and show an icon indicating an insecure connection; this indicates only the caveats listed above -- your network connection is still encrypted and secure.

We currently have a signed applet that will only run under Netscape (due to technical problems with IE), and an unsigned applet that will run on Netscape and IE.

Requirements

To run MindTerm, you will need:

A modern GUI web browser that supports Java.
Java enabled (set in your browser Preferences).

To use MindTerm, go to http://www.cs.duke.edu/login/, and click on ``MindTerm''.

When you select the MindTerm page, a separate MindTerm window will open on your desktop. A prompt will say something like:

	SSH Server/Alias: login.cs.duke.edu

At this point, you can either just hit the Return key to log into one of the login servers, or you can enter another host name. If you are running the unsigned applet, you can only log into the login servers; other attempts will produce an error message. After the MindTerm window accepts a host name, you will then be prompted for your user name (``login:'') and password. Once these are correctly entered and verified, you will then see your usual shell prompt, and you can proceed with a normal interactive session. Full screen programs such as vi and pine should work normally.

If you are running an X-server, you can set your DISPLAY environment variable, and tunnel X applications to your display.

If you only need to check e-mail, you can also try IMP, a web-based e-mail program. For more information, please see the Using IMP FAQ.

Troubleshooting

I click on ``MindTerm'', but nothing happens.
Make sure that Java is enabled in your browser Preferences.
When the MindTerm window appears, it says something like ``Unsigned Java Applet Window'', and the secure icon seems to indicate that the connection is not secure.
You are running the unsigned MindTerm applet, which limits some of the functionality of your connection, but remains completely secure and encrypted.
I try to copy/paste between my MindTerm window and other windows on my desktop, but nothing copies.
You are running the unsigned MindTerm applet, and copy/paste will probably not work. You should be able to copy/paste between MindTerm windows.
I try to transfer a file between my local computer and the login server using SCP, but it doesn't work.
You are running the unsigned MindTerm applet; SCP will not work.

Details

MindTerm is implemented as a Java applet. Our current version of MindTerm only supports version 1 of the SSH protocol. More information is available at http://www.appgate.org/products/mindterm/.

If you have any questions please contact the Lab Staff.