Direct SSH access to login.mcs.anl.gov from offsite being retired May 17, 2021

The computers running login.mcs.anl.gov (the Legacy MCS login nodes) are running an OS that will reach end of life at the end of the month. As such, we’ll be turning off the ability to SSH from offsite on Monday, May 17, 2021. This will not affect SSH from on-site or via VPN.

You can continue to use the legacy computing environment from offsite by SSHing through the GCE login nodes. We have documentation and instructions on how to do this at https://virtualhelpdesk.cels.anl.gov/docs/linux in the SSH section. Using this method, you could simulate the same behavior by adjusting your SSH configuration. Your Legacy username may differ from your GCE username, but we cover how to address that in the documentation.

You will need a GCE account to be able to SSH through the GCE login nodes. Anyone who currently holds a valid and active legacy account should be able to obtain an Argonne account (and a GCE account) as the requirements are the same. The instructions for getting that account are also on the above page. The short version of the story is first obtain your Argonne account (if you’re an employee, you already have one), and then login to https://accounts.cels.anl.gov and request the GCE project.

If you sponsor accounts for non-employees in Legacy, please be aware they’re not getting this notice. We’ve put banner messages on the login nodes reflecting this info, but please feel free to forward to any external users you’re working with.