Connecting with SSH#

SSH lets you log in to Bellagio from a terminal on your own computer. Use this method when you want a command-line session without VS Code, FileZilla, or X2Go Client.

Current course announcements, account instructions, and your syllabus control current-semester setup details. Use this page for the stable SSH workflow.

If you are new to remote servers, start with Connecting with X2Go Client unless your instructor tells you to use SSH directly.

What SSH does#

SSH opens a secure login session on Bellagio. After you log in, commands run on Bellagio, not on your own computer.

Use SSH when you need to:

open a terminal on Bellagio
create and manage files
compile C++ programs
run programs from the command line
check files, directories, quotas, and other course tools

SSH does not provide a graphical editor. If you want to edit files with VS Code while connected to Bellagio, use Using VS Code with Bellagio. If you only need to transfer files, use Transferring Files with FileZilla.

Open a local terminal#

On Windows, use PowerShell, Windows Terminal, or another terminal program that provides the ssh command.

On macOS, open Terminal.

Your computer must have a working Internet connection. If you work from off campus, reliable Internet access is your responsibility.

Connect to Bellagio#

Use the Bellagio username and server name supplied in your official course account instructions. Do not guess your username from another identifier. If you do not know your Bellagio username, check the current course instructions or ask for help through the approved course support channel.

The SSH command has this general form:

ssh your-bellagio-username@server-name-from-course-instructions

The first time you connect, SSH may ask whether you trust the host. Confirm only if the host matches the server name from your official course account instructions.

Enter your Bellagio password when prompted. The password characters may not appear as you type. This is normal.

After login, you are using a terminal session on Bellagio.

Try a simple command#

Show the current directory:

pwd

List files:

ls

Create a course directory if you need one:

mkdir -p ~/cs135

For more commands, see Terminal Basics.

Exit the session#

When you are finished, exit the login session:

exit

Closing the terminal window without exiting may end the session, but using exit is the cleaner habit.

When SSH does not connect#

First, check whether the Bellagio server home web page loads in your browser. That does not prove SSH is working, but it helps diagnose whether your computer can reach Bellagio’s web service.

If SSH still fails, save the exact command you ran and the full error message. Use the CIT Discord server and open a help ticket for connection problems, Bellagio account problems, or other private technical access issues.