WinaXe, X Session Client
What Is WinaXe?
WinaXe is a display emulator, a program that enables a computer to run like
another type of computer. WinaXe allows any Windows computer in a CSS lab to
display the HP Common Desktop Environment, the graphical interface. When you
are logged in with WinaXe, you can run Unix-based programs such as Mathematica,
Matlab, and Pro/Engineer that require the graphics capabilities of a Unix workstation.
How Do I Use It in SC?
Logging In: Go to Start | All Programs | Utilities
| WinaXe | XSession [choose any of the depth options]. The option you
choose depends on what software you want to run. Choose a
24 Bit setting unless you are using software, like the ABAQUS viewer, that runs
only using an 8 Bit session. Tecplot requires the 24 Bit Mesa emulation.
Once you have selected the session type, the WinaXe start up screen appears,
followed by the HP-UX login prompt. Log in as you normally do on a Unix workstation
with your login ID and password.
Logging Out: When you are done using WinaXe, you must log
out of the Unix workstation you are logged into before logging out of the Windows
computer. Click on Exit from the CDE Front Panel to close the Unix session.
Then, click on the X box in the upper right-hand corner of the WinaXe program
box to close the program. A warning box will appear (as shown). Click OK and close the program. Remember that you still have to log out of Windows as
usual.
Why Use WinaXe?
WinaXe should be used for reasons of efficiency and ease. Instead of physically
switching between Unix and Windows computers, you can sit down at any Windows
computer in the Elder or Hering labs and have the benefits of both operating
systems. It allows you to run Unix programs that require you to see and use
graphics, something telnet and SSH cannot do. Since WinaXe is a program on the
Windows computer, the WinaXe window can be resized, minimized, and maximized
just as any other window. Using WinaXe allows you to multi-task by simultaneously
running two operating systems on the same computer.
If you come to a lab needing to work on an assignment on a Unix workstation
and cannot find an available Unix workstation, you can log into a Windows computer
instead and use WinaXe to log into a Unix workstation.
To learn more about WinaXe, go to http://www.labf.com or stop in the consultant’s office, 1253 SC, 335-5505.
Using WinaXe beyond the ECN
Read this First
WinaXe is designed for use with a fast network connection, such as the connections
in the Seamans Center. You can install WinaXe on a computer you use from your
dorm room or home, but the type of connection you have will determine its usability.
Cable modem and most DSL connections are not sufficiently fast to provide a
"transparent" desktop environment, though those connections may be
fast enough to be usable. If you use a dial-up modem, you will likely find the
slow transfer speed too painful to use WinaXe remotely. These setup instructions
will not work with most cable Internet connection providers. For instructions
on how to use WinaXe if you have one of these providers, go below to the section
titled “Using WinaXe with an ISP”. If you are running a self-administered
computer in the Seamans Center, use these directions to set up WinaXe.
Download and Install
1. Download WinaXe (winaXe.msi) from the CSS
download page.
2. Double-click on the winaXe.msi file to begin the installation process.
3. After the installer runs, from the start menu, go to Start | All
Programs | Utilities |WinaXe | XSettings. Make your settings look like
this:
4. If you have problems getting WinaXe to run, before calling CSS for help,
click on the Settings button (upper right-hand corner) and choose these settings;
select XDMCP/ACCESS debug trace... at the bottom on the dialogue
box and circled below.
5. Click OK twice to exit from all the windows.
WinaXe is now ready to run from your computer. After you connect to the engineering
network, go to Start | All Programs | Utilities | WinaXe | [choose
your XSession] . You should see the HP-UX login screen appear
shortly.
Using WinaXe with an ISP (WinaXe with SecureCRT X11 Port Forwarding)
Most Internet Service Providers (ISP) use a firewall that does not allow
connecting to the Engineering network using WinaXe as described above. The ISPs
will block your WinaXe connection. Follow the steps below to use a WinaXe connection
using an ISP. You need to download and install both WinaXe and SecureCRT. (Download
both from the CSS
download page. For installation information about SecureCRT, read the SecureCRT
e-tude.) After you install and configure both programs, start WinaXe and
then start an SSH session with SecureCRT.
Download and Install WinaXe
1. Download WinaXe (winaXe.msi) from the CSS
download page.
2. Double-click on the winaXe.msi file to begin the installation process. If
the .msi installation fails, download winaxe_setup.exe from the CSS
download page and install from that file.
3. Download and install SecureCRT (an SSH Client) from the CSS
download page or from the ITS
download page.
Setting up WinaXe
Go to Start | All Programs | Utilities | WinaXe | Firewall-ISP to launch WinaXe.
Setting up SecureCRT and Connecting
1. Start SecureCRT. In the SecureCRT window, choose Options | Global
Settings. In the window that opens, choose Default Session from the left, and then press Edit Default Settings.
2 . Choose Port Forwarding (on the left side) and verify that the box Forward
X11 Packets is checked, as shown. Press OK twice to
save these settings.
Having made this settings change, you do not need to make it again. If you
exited correctly in step 2 above, WinaXe will save these settings.
Setup for X11 Tunneling
Go to Start | All
Programs | Utilities |WinaXe | XSettings. Make your settings look like
this:
The differences from the setup shown above is that you do not use XDMCP and you must create a Valid Host File with this content:
127.0.0.1
Save the file on your local computer and then put the full pathname in under Valid Hosts File. The illustration uses a file called authorized in the xserver directory.
Connecting to the Network
1. Start WinaXe. When it starts, you see only a black screen.
2. Start SecureCRT. Select File | Quick Connect. Enter the
hostname login.engineering.uiowa.edu and add your Engineering account login
ID to the Username field.
3. After connecting with SecureCRT, you see a command line in the SecureCRT
window.
If you are using a firewall, at the command line enter the command mwm
&.
Then at the command line, type the name of the program you wish to use. Once
the program has started, you’ll have the graphic interface of that program
in the WinaXe window.
4. When you are ready to log out, type exit at the command
prompt of the SecureCRT window.
Commands for Opening Software
Because SecureCRT cannot handle the graphics display of programs, you must
start the program by typing its command from the SecureCRT window command line.
Below are the commands to start several commonly used programs. The program
name command must be followed with a space and “&” as in matlab
& The “&” opens the program and leaves the command
prompt available.
Unix Software Launch Commands
| Software package |
Command to start program |
| ANSYS |
ansys |
| Easy5 |
easy5x |
| IDL |
see software page for set
up script and command line |
| Maple |
maple |
| Mathematica |
mathematica |
| Matlab |
matlab |
| Mentor Graphics |
mentor |
| Patran |
patran |
| Pro/Engineer |
pro |
| VIP |
see software page for set
up script and command line |
Help
If you have questions about setting up or using WinaXe, come to the consulting
office, 1253 SC, or call the consultant at 335-5055.
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