Toolserver:Logging in

There are two servers which are accessible to users: hemlock and nightshade. Most of the time, you should be logging into nightshade­­ -- this is the login server, which handles everything except serving web pages (that's on hemlock). Because the login server sometimes changes, rather than logging into it by name, use the alias login.toolserver.org.

Authentication is done via SSH public keys. There is no need (and no possibility) to use a password to log in; your client will present the private part of your SSH key, and the server will grant you access.

(You might be asked to enter a passphrase when authenticating; this is not your Toolserver password, it's only used to encrypt your private key on your own computer, in case someone steals it. This passphrase is never sent to the Toolserver, and you can change it at any time.)

Creating an SSH key
FIXME

Logging in with PuTTY
If you are using PuTTY, you need to fill in the "host name" with login.toolserver.org, then locate your SSH key (under Connection->SSH->Auth). Don't change any of the other settings, and click "open". Then log in with your user name and the passphrase for your private key.

Getting in
When you log in, you might be asked to confirm the toolserver's key fingerprint. The current (Feb. 2009) fingerprints are mentioned in new login server on the toolserver mailing list.

After logging in, you will be presented with:
 * The current message-of-the-day
 * Whether you have new local mail
 * The date, time and location of your last login
 * Whether you are already logged in, and where from
 * Whether you have any detached screen(1) sessions
 * The date your account will expire
 * Any new system news

Occasionally, you might have a reason to log into hemlock, e.g. to examine the web server logs. Because home directories are shared between both systems, you can use the same SSH key to log in.