INFORMATION YOU NEED TO WORK ON YOUR HOMEWORK


STEP 1: ACCESSING YOUR RA ACCOUNT

In order to do your homework, you need to have access to a Fortran compiler. Unless your computer's operating system is UNIX-based, you probably will not have this tool. Luckily, you have access to a compiler in your RA account. Don't know what that is? Here is the information:

Your RA account is a free computer account provided by the MAE department on which you can do your homework. Your username and password for this account are identical to the username and password you use to check your email. So, my username is 'wlchang' because my email address is 'wlchang@uci.edu' (I won't tell you my password though).

Now, you just have to get access to this account. This is easily done. You can even access your account from your home computer.

1.1: Working from computer labs on campus

There is a free, 24/7 computer lab on the first floor of Engineering Gateway. The computers in the lab have all the tools you need to do your homework. There is also a computer lab in ECT, ECT123, but there are discussion sections in there at times (during which you are not supposed to be in there) and it is not open 24/7. There are other computer labs on campus (such as in EG3151), but many require you to give a deposit for a key card.

I will guide you through how to use the computers in ECT123 and in the lab on the first floor of EG.

1.1.1: Computer lab in ECT123 and EG3151

For SSH: In the folder 'UNIX SYSTEMS' you will find a program shortcut called 'ra.eng.uci.edu (SecureCRT)'. Run this program, accept new host key, and enter your username (UCInet ID) and password when prompted. You can now work in your RA account.

If all is well, you should see,
[username@ra ~]$
For file transfer: To transfer files back and forth between your local computer and your RA account, you can use the file transfer program 'WinSCP', which may also be found under the 'Unix SYSTEMS' folder. Look for the shortcut to 'ra.eng.uci.edu (WinSCP)', double-click on it, then enter your username (same as your UCInet ID) and password where prompted. As with the SSH program, accept the new host key. You should see a dual screen pop up, with the files on your local computer on the left, and the files from your RA account on the right. Drag and drop to copy files from one computer to another.

1.1.2: Computer lab in 1st floor of EG

For SSH: 'SecureCRT' may be found under the 'Internet Apps' folder. After running the application, you should see list of hostnames, with 'RA' being one of them. Double-click on it, accept new host key, and enter the information as prompted. If you do not see 'RA' as one of the options, you must create one. To do so, click on the button called 'New Session' at the top of the screen (third from the left). Once in New Session Wizard, select "SSH1" as the "Protocol", and click on "Next >"; then, for the Hostname, type in 'ra.eng.uci.edu', but LEAVE THE USERNAME blank, and click on "Next >"; finally, type in "RA" for Session name, and click on "Finish". "RA" should now appear on the screen, and just follow the instructions from above.

For file transfer: 'WinSCP' may be found under the folder 'Internet Apps'. After running the application, enter 'ra.eng.uci.edu' as the Host name, then your username and password, and click on "Login". You should see a split screen: on left side is your local computer files and on the right is your RA account. You can copy files from one machine to the another by dragging and dropping.

1.2: Working from your home computer

1.2.1: Windows users

You will need to download an SSH client to access your RA account. You also will probably want a file transfer program which will allow you to quickly move files back and forth between your home computer and RA account.

There are various free SSH clients out there, but the following one is popular. Note: Prof. Dabdub and the TAs make not guarantee that downloading this program won't explode your computer and make you cry... although it never has before (Prof. Dabdub and the TAs have never had trouble with it before).

SSH Client Download Here

Intro to how to use the SSH Client

After installing the SSH client, "SSH Secure Shell" is the equivalent of "SecureCRT", and "SSH Secure File Transfer" is the equivalent of "WinSCP". Click on 'Quick Connect' after opening "SSH Secure File Transfer" and enter the following information:
hostname: ra.eng.uci.edu
username: (your UCInet ID)
password: (your password)
port: 22

1.2.2: Mac Users

For SSH: Macs users do not need to download additional SSH client to log into your RA account. The build-in client is called "Terminal". Run and client, and at the command line, type in 
ssh username@ra.eng.uci.edu
(put your UCInet ID in place of 'username')

Accept any key and enter your password when prompted. You now have access to your RA account.

If you encounter the following error message when you tried to use UNIX commands:
"Sorry, I don't know anything about your 'xterm-color' terminal."
Then enter the following at the command prompt:
export TERM=xterm
For file transfer: To transfer the source code files (.f files) from your RA account to your local computer, first, you have to make sure the files you want to transfer are in your home directory (not inside another directory that you have created). Then, open a new terminal, and type in the following command (do NOT login to the RA account): 
scp username@ra.eng.uci.edu:filename.f filename.f
You will be asked to enter your password. After doing so, you should have your files succesfully transferred.

Or, you could download the latest version of Fugu from the following site:

http://rsug.itd.umich.edu/software/fugu/download.html

This program is similar to WinSCP. In the "Connect to" field, enter the server name (ra.eng.uci.edu), then your user name in the corresponding field. You could specify "Port" to be 22, but you don't have to; same goes for "Directory", you could just leave it blank. Add the profile to favorites for future use, and connect!

STEP 2: WORKING ON YOUR FORTRAN PROGRAM

Here are some reviews from the first discussion session:

STEP 3: SUBMITTING YOUR HOMEWORK TO EEE DROPBOX

First, use a a SSH file transfer program to move your completed FORTRAN files from your ra account to your local computer. Such program in the will already be available in the computers at the labs, or you can download program listed above for your personal computer. Simply move the files from your RA account to your local computer.

Once you have your files ready to be submitted, access your EEE DropBox by:
  1. Login to your EEE account: http://eee.uci.edu
  2. On the left column, click on the link "Access DropBox" under MyDropBox.
    or
    Look for "ENGRMAE 10: INTRO ENGR COMP, lec A (19010)" under "MyStudentClasses", and find the link called "DropBox".
  3. On the left column again, you should find a list of folders under "Folder View". Click on the folder link for the corresponding homework assignment you wish to submit.
  4. Click on the "AssignmentSubmission" folder link to open up the folder.
  5. Use the "Upload Files" link on the right column to open the upload menu.
  6. Follow the displayed instructions to complete your electronic homework submission.

Any questions about this page? Wayne Chang (wlchang@uci.edu)
Updated: 9/24/08