Getting Connected#

For this course, “Bellagio” can mean two different things:

the Bellagio server home web page
logging in to the Bellagio server to write, compile, and run code

Those are related, but they are not the same.

Bellagio server home web page#

The Bellagio server home web page is located at https://bellagio.csn.edu/. You open this page in a normal web browser such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge.

The web page is a starting point for information about the server. It may provide server announcements, general server information, links, and other reference material. Visiting the web page does not mean you are logged in to the server for programming work.

Use the web page when you need information about Bellagio. Use one of the connection methods below when you need to do course programming work.

The web page can also be a quick connectivity check. If https://bellagio.csn.edu/ loads in your browser, your computer can reach Bellagio’s web service. That does not guarantee that SSH, X2Go Client, or VS Code Remote SSH will work, but it is useful information when diagnosing a connection problem.

Connecting for academic code development#

To complete programming assignments, you need to log in to the Bellagio server account assigned to you for the course. When you connect this way, commands run on Bellagio instead of only on your own computer.

That matters because course tools, compiler settings, file storage, and grading expectations may depend on the Bellagio environment. A program that works on your laptop should still be compiled and tested in the course environment before you submit it.

When you are connected for code development, you can:

create and edit source files
open a terminal on Bellagio
compile C++ programs with g++
run your program from the command line
check files, directories, quotas, and other course tools

Your course documents and instructor announcements will explain which tools and accounts are required for the current semester.

Connection and file-transfer options#

You may use different tools depending on your machine and course needs. These tools support different parts of the Bellagio workflow:

Connecting with X2Go Client opens a remote terminal session on Bellagio through X2Go. This is the critical connection path to try first if you need a reliable terminal session on the server.
X2Go Launcher for macOS helps Mac users work around a macOS 26.4 and later XQuartz socket issue that can prevent X2Go Client from starting an X11 session.
Using VS Code with Bellagio explains how to use Visual Studio Code with Remote SSH. VS Code runs on your computer, but the files and terminal commands are connected to Bellagio.
Connecting with SSH explains how to open a command-line login session on Bellagio without a graphical editor or file-transfer program.
Transferring Files with FileZilla explains how to move files between your computer and Bellagio using SFTP. FileZilla is for file transfer, not compiling or running programs.

After you are connected with X2Go Client, VS Code Remote SSH, or SSH, use Terminal Basics for the commands you need after you have a terminal connected to Bellagio.

Which option should I use?#

If you are new to remote servers, start with Connecting with X2Go Client. It gives you a terminal session on Bellagio.

Use Using VS Code with Bellagio if you are comfortable following a longer setup process and want to edit files in VS Code while connected to the server.

Use Connecting with SSH if you are comfortable using a terminal on your own computer and only need a command-line login session on Bellagio.

Use Terminal Basics after you can open a terminal and need reminders for common commands.

Use Transferring Files with FileZilla if you need to copy files between your computer and Bellagio without using VS Code.

Off-campus Internet access#

If you work from off campus, reliable Internet access is your responsibility. Remote tools such as X2Go Client, VS Code Remote SSH, and SSH require a stable connection. Unstable Wi-Fi, dropped connections, slow networks, VPN problems, or local computer issues can interrupt your work even when Bellagio itself is working normally.

When to ask for help#

Ask for help if you cannot log in, cannot reach the server, do not understand which username to use, cannot open a terminal, cannot compile a simple test program, or see repeated connection errors.

Use the CIT Discord server and open a help ticket when you need connection support.