# FastX 3

## Overview

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the data contained in Stronghold, CIS has taken measures to restrict the ability to accidentally or intentionally move data out of the environment. Direct SSH access is not enabled for end users, as there is no way to restrict copying and pasting the contents of a file from an SSH session.

FastX 3 allows users to copy and paste from their local clipboard into their Stronghold session, but not in the opposite direction.

Users can connect to Stronghold via FastX3 from either a web browser, or a [FastX3 client](https://www.brown.edu/information-technology/software/catalog/fastx-0) that can be downloaded from Brown Software Catalog.

## Connecting via a FastX3 Client

### 1. Download FastX3 Client

Click the link to Software Catalog below:

{% embed url="<https://www.brown.edu/information-technology/software/catalog/fastx-0>" %}

Then log in with your Brown credentails.

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FahmIwy81Pp9ABQfl1c35%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=40f97610-8694-437a-9d9e-5b8e60c904cc" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Brown Software Catalog Website - Log In Required</p></figcaption></figure>

Select the OS version of FastX software and download it:

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FFbWbzFRuremcn0eReDhs%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0848ea04-0d59-48fa-9d09-e443960492c7" alt="" width="247"><figcaption><p>FastX3 Software</p></figcaption></figure>

### 2. Open and connect Stronghold workstation:

1\. Click the FastX3 icon to open FastX3 client.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you have a Mac, and receive the message "Apple can’t check app for malicious software" after clicking the FastX3 icon, follow [the three steps below](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/apple-cant-check-app-for-malicious-software-mchleab3a043/mac) to open FastX3 client.
{% endhint %}

2\. Click the "+" button to start a new connection.

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FOzvJ3Kuz2CSHuIFxG6kF%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=55715324-5eca-45c0-bf0a-c56f282c54d0" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>New FastX3 Connection</p></figcaption></figure>

3\. Fill out the connection form (***Port number is 443***) and click "OK":

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2F377oH2s1KJWTpewANMwS%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a7e64396-b021-41db-aaa3-4a593738068d" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4\. Double click the new connection

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2F3GlAvwm952SkEoadbGeu%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=206d65eb-258f-4b68-bef5-630b646b945a" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5\. Select a server of your tenant if required, if your tenant has multiple workstations.

6\. Enter your Brown password and click "Continue":

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FPlEPogNH0xuT0ydG8tyU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=277fb43d-3916-4380-8702-b8c9697bcddb" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7\. Select a DUO option and click "Continue".

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2F90Od5jDNflQLONdTAR6r%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9200c4c4-33c4-43a3-a393-c645d09e468b" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

8\. Then click "+" button to start a Desktop or Terminal session:

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FlRNAS3n30Elpy0GEaAKA%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=29ec52b6-dfea-49d4-b13c-7a4cd48b6f39" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

9 Click 'Desktop' or 'Terminal' to start a desktop or terminal session

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FOpUWCgloAY5H6STQ0Aqh%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b1279925-7c03-4693-a1a5-20eb3f179257" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2FsREgsGsVp6EgeK0TDAN3%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cc1d22c2-4c2f-442e-89fb-9f4e08a12626" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2Fuploads%2F4vN5RfLv72SLtQS6jqoY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e87e9366-ea1e-4d84-b58c-2f821903c0d8" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Connecting via a Web Browser

NOTE: Users on campus must be connected to the Brown WiFi or a wired connection in a research building. Off-campus users can access their environments by connecting through the [Brown VPN](https://it.brown.edu/services/virtual-private-network-vpn).

### 1. Log in with your web browser

Point a web browser to your tenant page at **https\://`<tenant>`.stronghold.brown.edu**

![Update \<tenant> with your Stronghold tenant name.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWezgSfw602z2jU-qOK%2F-MWf-yhdM-937-5Dw3hB%2F210325161150.png?alt=media\&token=ca13da35-6c78-412d-83c2-21deb1c60040)

Enter your Brown credentials and select Login.

![The Stronghold login page.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWeuK4ipPWncItIAim9%2F-MWeuTZPj2k40I91Lu5E%2F210325102041.png?alt=media\&token=e4863921-4233-45a7-b9d2-f39a59839a52)

If your tenant has multiple Linux workstations, you may be prompted to select a server to log into . If you’re unsure here, please contact your PI or tenant admin for more information.

![Tenants with multiple workstations can choose a login server.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWeuVB5F_AFe6Y29fd5%2F-MWeul9jRo8F4kZESAfG%2F210325102154.png?alt=media\&token=ac763691-40f6-49f4-9960-3f19b214222a)

To continue the login process, you will need to consent to the terms listed and select `Submit`.

![](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWeuVB5F_AFe6Y29fd5%2F-MWeuvx-AVVxmjRrpl99%2F210325104455.png?alt=media\&token=cc00332f-5bc3-4cd8-ab56-fd53cc82b84e)

Select a Duo option for two-factor verification. Type the number of your choice and select `Submit`.

![The Duo two-step selection screen.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWeuVB5F_AFe6Y29fd5%2F-MWevDNpijnSFsfnlJPh%2F210325103238.png?alt=media\&token=b7d63487-4383-40b3-8404-c6391f1e6240)

### 2. Start a Session

After your Duo verification has been completed, you’ll proceed to the session window. If you had any running sessions, they would be listed here. Since this is your first time logging in, we’ll need to start a new session.

Click the `+` icon

![The FastX session page.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWevaA9yiQlFeV5AZj6%2F-MWevq2gfyQ9OzhN8Fkt%2F210325104744.png?alt=media\&token=e03a5cb7-7dbb-4bc4-87e9-85587e3cc852)

Select the "Desktop" bookmark and click `Launch`. Note: the “Terminal” option is for advanced users that are comfortable launching all of their applications from the command line.

![The Desktop bookmark is the best option for most users.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWevaA9yiQlFeV5AZj6%2F-MWew3mQq_Pj5JjUkUPK%2F210325105302.png?alt=media\&token=c8340aff-c2bf-4a20-a3eb-8f0a965c0cfb)

Tenants with multiple Linux workstations will be prompted to select a server. Talk to your PI or tenant admin for more information.

![Tenants with multiple workstations can select their session server.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWewAR-DkbqB27Y3UxK%2F-MWewEfrSwDmfVLOnt1U%2F210325105923.png?alt=media\&token=730b5fd1-e25a-4329-ad6d-16e3dc0862c1)

### 3. Navigate Environment

A dropdown menu of applications is found in the top-left of the desktop environment under "Stronghold".

![The Stronghold dropdown menu.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-LtWJurst5ro4vBx0V6q%2F-LtWK8S2Q_jLByK0xr7k%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=3313234d-dde4-4a85-b361-94d75b0dd996)

If you click the terminal icon from the Stronghold dropdown, you’ll open a new terminal window. In it, you can load [software modules](https://docs.ccv.brown.edu/stronghold/software/linux-standard-software#software-modules), [Conda environments](https://docs.ccv.brown.edu/stronghold/software/linux-standard-software#environment-modules), and run other commands. Expect to do most of your work here.

Note: you can only run one desktop session per workstation. Launching additional sessions will automatically terminate any other running sessions.

### 4. Exit/Leave a Session

**To save your session and disconnect:** exit out of your browser window or tab.

**To terminate your session:**

* In the Stronghold dropdown menu, select `Log Out`.

![The application menu "Log out" option.](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWf43G05xC55nixbTW3%2F-MWf4ySi8a8o09LC8KpM%2F210325110505.png?alt=media\&token=b2e7034a-bd89-4ca8-8901-8d4c188ce8ec)

* Then click the "Log Out" button.

![To terminate your session, click "Log Out".](https://240799936-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LcWdZhwLCll1J0u091B%2F-MWexMpGmWUsNN80BUOG%2F-MWeyjSKhp3qh8No4Uu-%2F210325152411.png?alt=media\&token=781eec85-c33f-431a-b76a-269a789f713d)

{% hint style="danger" %}
Logging out will terminate your running applications. You may lose any work that hasn't been saved.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ccv.brown.edu/stronghold/usage/linux_workstation/linux_fastx3.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.