Step 4: Using your private key

1. Launch MobaXterm:

   Open MobaXterm by double-clicking its icon on your desktop or finding it in your Start menu, or by continuing with an existing session if one is already open.

2. Start a New SSH Session:

   To initiate a new SSH session, click on the Session icon in the top left corner of the MobaXterm window. In the session settings window, select SSH.

3. Configure Your SSH Settings:

   In the SSH session configuration, fill in the following details:

   • Remote host: Enter hpc.tue.nl.
   • Specify username: Enter your SSH username, e.g., s133320.
   • Port: Leave this set to 22, the default SSH port.

   If you have a private key for authentication, check the box for Use private key and browse to the key file location, typically C:\Users\yourusername\.ssh\id_rsa.

4. Save and Start the Session:

   Click OK to save the session settings and connect to the server. MobaXterm will attempt to establish a connection.

5. Verify the Connection:

   On your first connection, you'll be prompted to verify the server's authenticity. You'll see a message like this:

   The server's host key is unknown. Do you trust this host key?
   

   Choose Yes to add the server's fingerprint to the known hosts, allowing future connections without prompts.

6. Access the Server:

   After a successful connection, you will have access to the server's command line interface in the terminal tab that opens, where you can execute commands.

7. Close the SSH Session:

   To disconnect from the server, simply close the terminal tab or exit MobaXterm. This action will end the SSH session.

By following these steps, you'll be able to securely connect to hpc.tue.nl using MobaXterm on Windows with your SSH key, enhancing security by avoiding password entry for each login.

1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt:

   You can start PowerShell by searching for it in the Start Menu and selecting it, by pressing Win + X and choosing "Windows PowerShell" from the menu, or by continuing with an existing session if one is already open.

2. Check for OpenSSH Client:

   Ensure that OpenSSH Client is installed on your system. In PowerShell or Command Prompt, run:

   ssh
   

   If the command is not recognized, you may need to install the OpenSSH Client via Settings > Apps > Optional Features.

3. OpenSSH Key Location:

   Determine where your private key is stored. This guide assumes it is in your user profile's .ssh directory. The typical path is:

   C:\Users\yourusername\.ssh\id_rsa
   

4. Initiate an SSH Connection:

   Use the ssh command with the -i flag to specify the path to your private key file. The command format is as follows:

   ssh -i C:\Users\yourusername\.ssh\id_rsa username@hpc.tue.nl
   

   For example, if your SSH username is s133320 and your Windows username is yourusername, the command would be:

   ssh -i C:\Users\yourusername\.ssh\id_rsa s133320@hpc.tue.nl
   

5. Verify the Connection:

   On your first connection, you'll be prompted to verify the server's authenticity. You'll see a message like this:

   The authenticity of host 'hpc.tue.nl (xx.xx.xx.xx)' can't be established.
   ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:abcdefg...
   Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?
   

   Type yes and press Enter. This action will add the server's fingerprint to your C:\Users\yourusername\.ssh\known_hosts file, allowing future connections without prompts.

6. Access the Server:

   After a successful connection, you will have access to the server's command line interface, where you can execute commands.

7. Close the SSH Session:

   To disconnect from the server, type exit and press Enter. This command will close the connection and return you to your local terminal session.

By following these steps, you'll be able to securely connect to hpc.tue.nl using your SSH key, enhancing security by avoiding password entry for each login.