--- title: "CSSE Linux Resources - FAQ" canonical: "https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/3569975297/CSSE%20Linux%20Resources%20-%20FAQ" format: markdown --- ## Updates for Fall 2026: > ✅ Unix 1-6 were replaced by [[linux1-3.csc.calpoly.edu](http://linux1-3.csc.calpoly.edu)]([http://linux1-3.csc.calpoly.edu](http://linux1-3.csc.calpoly.edu)) and [[faculty1.csc.calpoly.edu](http://faculty1.csc.calpoly.edu)]([http://faculty1.csc.calpoly.edu](http://faculty1.csc.calpoly.edu)) on August 21, 2026 #### **What about all the files? ** The new servers point to the same backend home directory file system the old ones did, so there is nothing students or faculty need to do - no need to move anything. #### **If unable to connect, ensure you’re;** - Using the new server name, - On a supported network or the VPN. See [How do I access the servers?]([https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/3569975297/CSSE+Linux+Resources+-+FAQ#How-do-I-access-the-servers?](https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/3569975297/CSSE+Linux+Resources+-+FAQ#How-do-I-access-the-servers?) ) for supported networks. - An active student, and - Password hasn’t expired or locked due to too many failed attempts. > ℹ️ If the information on this page doesn’t help resolve your problem, please go to [tech.calpoly.edu](https://tech.calpoly.edu) and submit a ticket for further assistance. ## CSSE General Compute Servers ### What is changing? Unix1-6 were replaced with general-purpose compute servers: Linux 1-3 for students and Faculty 1 for faculty. The new servers run Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This update lets ITS support them with standard tools, keep them secure and backed up, and run a modern OS to power the software requested by students and faculty. CentOS 7 reached end-of-life and is no longer receiving security updates, which was the primary driver for this modernization. The new Linux 1-3 and Faculty 1 are now available for use. ### What are the new server names? | Old Servers | New Servers | Audience | | --- | --- | --- | | unix1.csc.calpoly.edu unix2.csc.calpoly.edu unix3.csc.calpoly.edu unix4.csc.calpoly.edu unix5.csc.calpoly.edu | linux1.csc.calpoly.edu linux2.csc.calpoly.edu linux3.csc.calpoly.edu | CSSE/CPE students | | unix6.csc.calpoly.edu | faculty1.csc.calpoly.edu | CSSE faculty only | ### How do I access the servers? > 📝 When **off campus**, you **will need to use the Global Protect VPN** to connect to the servers. If you can’t connect to the servers while on campus, please try using the Global Protect VPN — this often helps resolve connection issues. > ℹ️ To sign in, use your Cal Poly AD (Active Directory) username and password. Your Cal Poly username is the part of your Cal Poly email address before `@calpoly.edu` #### Login Instructions
macOS and Linux 1. Open a terminal. On macOS, press `Command+Space`, search for `Terminal`, and open it. On Linux, open your preferred terminal application. 2. Connect to one of the servers by running the following command, replacing `uname` with your Cal Poly username and choosing `linux1`, `linux2`, or `linux3`: 3. When prompted, enter your Cal Poly AD password. Your password will not be displayed while you type. For example, if your username is `schan11`, run `ssh schan11@linux1.csc.calpoly.edu`. To use another server, replace `linux1` with `linux2` or `linux3`.
Windows Windows 10 and Windows 11 include several ways to connect through SSH. Choose one of the following options: - **Windows OpenSSH:** Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run the same SSH command shown above, such as `ssh uname@linux1.csc.calpoly.edu`. If OpenSSH is not installed, enable it through Windows Optional Features. - **Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL):** Open your installed Linux distribution, then run the same SSH command shown in the macOS and Linux instructions. - **SSH client:** Use a client such as PuTTY or MobaXterm. Enter the server name (for example, `linux1.csc.calpoly.edu`), port `22`, and your Cal Poly username, then authenticate with your Cal Poly AD password.
> ℹ️ On your first connection, SSH may ask you to verify the server’s host key. Confirm it only if the server name is correct and you trust the connection. To end your session, run `exit` or press `Ctrl+D`. ### Will my home directory and files still be available? Yes. Home directories are NFS-mounted and shared across all servers, just like before. Your files are already accessible from any of the linux1-3 or faculty1 servers. You do not need to move any files; we’ve done all that for you already. ### What software is available? All software is installed and maintained via the Ubuntu package manager (`apt`) — no packages are compiled from source. Key software includes: | Programming & compiling | Building software | Editing & terminal sessions | Version control, transfer & debugging | Python data science, machine learning & web | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | GCC / G++ (via `build-essential`), clang / LLVM toolchain, Python 3 (with `pip`, `venv`, `setuptools`), Java (OpenJDK 25), Node.js / npm, Rust (`rustc`), Perl | make, cmake, Maven | vim, nano, tmux, screen | git, wget, curl, rsync, htop, strace, ltrace, gdb, valgrind | numpy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn, flask, torch, tensorflow, seaborn, plotly, nltk | ### Can I install my own software? You can install Python packages into a virtual environment in your home directory using `python3 -m venv` and `pip`. **You cannot install system-wide packages.** If you need a system package that is not currently installed, coordinate with faculty/department head and submit a request through [https://tech.calpoly.edu/](https://tech.calpoly.edu/) . ### Are there any resource limits? To maintain a responsive environment for all users: - Long-running processes (over 24 hours of real time) may be terminated by an automated process sweeper. - Fork bombs and runaway processes will be limited/killed. > ℹ️ Please be considerate of other users sharing the system. ### Who do I contact for additional support? For issues with the new Linux servers, contact [https://tech.calpoly.edu/](https://tech.calpoly.edu/). --- # CSSE Data Lifecycle ### How long is my data retained for? Please review the following to understand how Cal Poly ITS retains your data: [https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/3268673537](https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/3268673537) --- # CSSE Network Shares ## Supported Long Path Name Limit ### I had a file with a really long path name and now I can't find the file Files with a **path greater than 3,500 characters **are routinely renamed. For the stability and proper functioning of the storage and backup system, the CSSE file shares (home directories, data1, data2, etc) cannot support files and folders that contain really long paths. If your file was renamed, an email should have been sent to inform you of the changes. ### I logged into a server for the first time and it says I don’t have a home directory, what do I do? If your user account is brand new, it may be that nightly provisioning hasn’t been run yet to create your home directory. If your user account is more than 24 hours old, please submit a ticket for assistance: [https://tech.calpoly.edu](https://tech.calpoly.edu) ## Non-UTF-8 ### I received an email that my files were renamed. Why were my files renamed? The CSSE file shares (home directories, data1, data2, etc) cannot support files and folders that contain **Non-UTF8 encoded characters**. Incompatible characters in files and folders are automatically **replaced with underscores**. This is done to maintain the stability and proper functioning of the storage and backup system. ### How do I access the files that were renamed? The files and folders should be in their original location with their new name as identified in the email. ### Do I need to take further action to prevent this in the future? Avoid performing actions that could result in non-UTF8 characters being generated in file/folder names. ### I have further questions or need further help. Where do I go? Please go to [https://tech.calpoly.edu](https://tech.calpoly.edu) and submit a ticket to receive further assistance. ---