Accessing Unix Files from Windows
In order to gain access to some of PRI's Data Archive holdings (those listed as residing on PopNet - see County and City Data Book web page for an example), you will need to have a PRI UNIX account.
The purpose of this help page is to provide instruction for users who have never used UNIX before, and do not have the time or desire to learn.
Information can be found below on the following topics:
How do I get access to PopNet UNIX?
How do I log in and out of PopNet UNIX?
Should I change my password?
What are some basic navigation skills for PopNet UNIX?
How do I mount my personal space on PopNet UNIX as a PC drive?
How can I use files on PopNet UNIX in a Windows environment?
An important note about data access...
How do I get access to PopNet UNIX?
If you do not have a PopNet UNIX account, you will need to request one. PopNet UNIX accounts are granted to PRI-affiliated researchers and staff members, and to graduate students in the Demography Dual-Degree program and in the Sociology Department. To apply for a PopNet UNIX account, you must fill out, sign, and return an application form (available outside 804 Oswald). Please note that a PopNet UNIX account is different from your PRI network account (which you use for access to the PCs in the computer lab in 806 Oswald). Learn more about how to obtain a PopNet UNIX account.
How do I log-in and -out of PopNet UNIX?
Utilizing the SSH (or Secure Shell) program is the method by which you gain access to PopNet UNIX. You can learn more about and download a copy of SSH here. The log-in instructions provided below apply specifically to "SSH Secure Shell" program. If you are using Tera Term or PuTTY, you do not have the option of the "Quick Connect" tab.
- Click on the Quick Connect tab.
- You will now have a option box to fill in labeled Connect to Remote Host. In the Host Name field you will type unix.pop.psu.edu. Next you will need to fill in User Name field. Type in the user name that was assigned to you. Leave Port Number as the default value. In the Authentication Method drop-down menu, choose Password.
- You will be asked if you want to save this information as a profile. Choose "Yes" by clicking on the button. Choose a name for your Profile (i.e. PopNet UNIX). By saving this profile, the next time you log-in, you will not need to fill in all the information above. You will only be prompted for your password.
To log-out of PopNet UNIX, you will need to type "exit" or "logout" at the prompt and hit the Enter key.
Should I change my PRI-provided password?
Absolutely. Your initial password is randomly generated, and it is good practice to pick a new password that is reasonably complex, but that you will remember. See PRI's page on password guidelines and instructions on how to change your PopNet UNIX password.
What are some basic navigation skills for PopNet UNIX?
This section is for those users who want to learn basic UNIX navigational commands (make directories, change directories) and how to modify your file permissions. Please see this help page under the heading "Unix".
How do I mount my personal space on PopNet UNIX as a PC drive?
For those unfamiliar with the command-line environment, it is possible to mount your personal PopNet UNIX space (called your "home" directory) on your PC. When you have mounted your personal space as a PC accessible drive, you will be able to copy, paste, make directories, delete files, etc. just as you would in on your C: drive in the windowed PC environment. See PRI's instruction page for how to mount your home directory.
How can I use files on PopNet UNIX in a Windows environment?
As many of our data holdings are still available only in the PopNet UNIX environment, PC users will need to find an alternative route to gain access to them. The way around using UNIX is to mount your PopNet UNIX home directory as a PC accessible drive (see above topic - "How do I mount my personal space on PopNet UNIX as a PC drive), and then create a softlink in your home directory on PopNet UNIX. You do need to create the softlink within UNIX, so you will need to log into PopNet UNIX using SSH. Note that there is only one command line that you need to type.
When you log into PopNet UNIX you will be in your home directory. You do not need to navigate anywhere else. At the prompt you will need to type the UNIX command that makes the link which includes the path to the data (or other files) and a name for that link.
Here is an example of what needs to be typed as it
would appear at a prompt in SSH:
~>
- The ln (that's lower-case LN) -s has to be entered first.
- /home/data/ccdb is the path.
- The ccdb_data is the label.
When you open your PopNet UNIX drive in Windows, you will see that you now have a directory labeled ccdb_data. Within this directory, you will be able to gain access to all of the files within the directory, use them with Windows programs, drag and drop the files into directories of your own creation in any drive.
An important note about data access...
You cannot save any files to any of the PopNet UNIX public data directories. These directories are write protected so that users cannot delete, remove, or write new files to them. You will also not be able to modify any of the files within the Data Archive, as you do not have write permission. You will need to create a copy and save it elsewhere on your PC in order to modify the file.
Last modified: 02/02/07 | Contact Webmaster
