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Overview
The ACADNX server is an academic Linux system for CISS-100 students. The hostname is acadnx.hvcc.edu.
This system requires a username and password. This is assigned to you when the semester begins. The username is the first part of your email. If your email is a-user@hvcc.edu, then the username is a-user. The password will be provided by your instructor.
Logging In
The login process is easy. Using any SSH client (Linux/Mac command line, PuTTY, etc.), you can access the server either by specifying the connection string as a-user@acadnx.hvcc.edu or, if the client has separate fields, the username is a-user and the host/server name is acadnx.hvcc.edu.
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
Since this server is accessible from the Internet, additional security has been applied to this server. When you login, you will be prompted for an additional step to verify who you are. It will look something like the following (user-entered values are in bold):
bill@The-MacBook-Pro ~ % ssh a-user@acadnx.hvcc.edu
(a-user@acadnx.hvcc.edu) Password:
(a-user@acadnx.hvcc.edu) Duo two-factor login for a-user@hvcc.edu
Enter a passcode or select one of the following options:
1. Duo Push to XXX-XXX-9876
2. Phone call to XXX-XXX-9876
3. SMS passcodes to XXX-XXX-9876
Passcode or option (1-3): 3
(a-user@acadnx.hvcc.edu) New SMS passcodes sent.
Duo two-factor login for a-user@hvcc.edu
Enter a passcode or select one of the following options:
1. Duo Push to XXX-XXX-9876
2. Phone call to XXX-XXX-9876
3. SMS passcodes to XXX-XXX-9876 (next code starts with: 1)
Passcode or option (1-3): 1054169
Success. Logging you in...
Success. Logging you in...
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HVCC Logon Banner
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These computer and network resources are the property of
Hudson Valley Community College. These are provided solely
for use by their authorized "system users" in accordance
with the policies and procedures located at:
https://www.hvcc.edu/its/policies.html
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System information as of Sun Jan 15 07:33:23 PM EST 2023
System load: 0.0400390625 Processes: 274
Usage of /: 11.0% of 97.87GB Users logged in: 1
Memory usage: 6% IPv4 address for ens160: 151.103.60.100
Swap usage: 0%
Last login: Mon Jan 2 12:45:33 2023 from 10.4.22.179
a-user@acadnx:~$
The key detail to note here is that a-user's email is known to the acadnx server when the Duo validation is requested. This was configured by the system administrator when the account was created.
Options 1 & 2 are straightforward. The Duo Push or a phone call can be chosen. In this example, the user requested an SMS text (option 3) be sent to their mobile device. The server pauses to give the user a moment to retrieve the 7 digit code. It prompts for the passcode or the user can choose another option if there was an issue. Since the code came through, the user entered it, they were successfully validated, and the user is granted access.
Wrap Up
Using SSH is the secure method of connecting to a remote server. It is made further secure by the use of MFA to provide the use peace of mind when working remotely on the ACADNX server.