UNIX Terminal Service (Isis Login)

What is the Terminal Service?

The UNIX remote terminal service on the Isis system (isis.unc.edu) provides command-line (or shell) access to a centrally-maintained UNIX environment. When you log into the Isis system you have access to your AFS space (or H: drive), shell commands and shell scripting support. The UNIX shell is a general purpose computing environment and can be used for a wide range of applications, too many to list here. Most people use the remote terminal to administer files in their personal or group web space, to write and run shell scripts or to access research computing facilities.

How to Get Started

Using the remote terminal service requires client software, known as a terminal emulator. Linux and Mac OS X both ship with SSH clients. If you have one of these operating systems, use the ssh command. Windows users can install Secure Shell for Windows.

Some terminal emulators only support less secure communication protocols, such as telnet, which transmits your password unencrypted. For Isis access we recommend using a terminal emulator that supports the secure shell protocol (ssh), such as the Secure Shell client for Windows above.

To login to the Isis system and start using the UNIX terminal, open your terminal emulation software and open a terminal session (see software help menu for instructions) with the following parameters:

  • host: isis.unc.edu
  • port: 22 (or select ssh protocol)
  • username: your onyen
  • password: your onyen password

Once you have logged in, you will be greeted by a text menu with commonly used applications. You may disable the menu and make further customizations to your UNIX profile by consulting the documentation.

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