Remote Observing with Spex using ssh

1.1 Requirements

ssh support at the remote site.

Xwindows terminal supporting 1280x1024 in 8-bit pseudocolor or 24/32-bit truecolor graphics mode. The 8-bit mode is preferred as DV's colormap stretching and shifting is only supported in 8-bit mode. However, while running in 8-bit mode, colormap issues may arise if another program, such as netscape, is displayed on the same monitor.

Spex consists of 2 cameras (bigdog / guidedog). Each system fills up a single monitor/display. On single monitor systems, a virtual desktop can be used to run both systems. However, the preferred method is to used a dual monitor configuration, so the guidedog and bigdog windows (xui&dv) are both visible.

Unix based workstation with an X-window server. The IRTF recommends a Sun (Solaris) workstation. However, a Linux/x86 computer can substitute.

As a prerequisite, you should create a guest user account for your run.

1.2. Running additional software

Log into stefan to run any software other than the instrument control software. This may include, but is not limited to, tcs1_status, idl, or spex_tool.

% ssh stefan.ifa.hawaii.edu -l guestXX
> tcs1_status &

1.3. How to run spex remotely

1. Allow IRTF computers to make Xwindow connection to your Xserver. Use the xhost command, for example "xhost +" allows access to everyone.

2. Starting bigdog's DV and XUI
   1. Starting DV
      • ssh to bigdog:
        % ssh bigdog.ifa.hawaii.edu -l guestXX

      • Give the command to start DV:
        % startdv

      • If you are using 32-bit true color, you must start DV like this:
        % startdv -T

   2. Starting the Bigdog XUI
      • ssh to bigdog:
        % ssh bigdog.ifa.hawaii.edu -l guestXX

      • Give the command to start the xui:
        % bigdogxui

3. Starting guidedog's DV and XUI
   1. Starting DV
      • ssh to guidedog:
        % ssh guidedog.ifa.hawaii.edu -l guestXX

      • Give the command to start DV:
        % startdv

      • If you are using 32-bit true color, you must start DV like this:
        % startdv -T

   2. Starting the Guidedog XUI
      • ssh to guidedog:
        % ssh guidedog.ifa.hawaii.edu -l guestXX

      • Give the command to start the xui:
        % guidedogxui