FAQs

• Unix
• Oracle
• SSH
• E-mail

Unix

1. Account.

Each user has 40MB free space on the NPU Solaris Unix system. We'll create one account for each user who registered at NPU. The username and default password will be assigned. The user can change his password without permission from the system administrator.

2. Where do I get my username and password?

The username and password will be given on the day of the new student orientation. If you are unable to participate int the orientation, please bring your valid student ID card to Room 201 where we'll create one account for you.

3. What's the convention of the username and password?

4. Forgot your password?

Visit Room 201. We will have an on-duty officer to reset your password.

5. What's the default shell of the NPU Solaris environment?

It's "tcsh shell". You can change it to a different shell if you prefer.

6. Why are terminals always being disconnected around 10:00P.M. to 11:00P.M. every Thursday night?

To keep good performance of Unix terminals we set maintenance schedules for all terminals every Thursday night. We apologize for the inconvenience at that period of time.

7. How many Unix terminals can be connected?

The list of Unix terminals that can be connected.

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Oracle

1. Account.

There is an individual account that will be assigned if a student is registered in Oracle database related courses. Users can change their password without the permission from the system administrator after the first time login.

2. Where do I get my username and password?

After the semester starts we'll create an Oracle database account on specific servers based on the student list that is provided by the instructor. The account list will be given to the instructor or TA.

3. What's the convention of username and password?

Username: course number + term number + underscore symbol + last name initial + first name initial

For example:

4. How do I access the Oracle database server in the Unix environment?

Please follow the setup steps that are posted on Unix terminals after you login successfully. There are different .cshrc files on Unix servers for users to copy.

npu22.npu.edu ( Oracle database server for DBA course)

Step 1: cp  /home/npunix/.cshrc.CS540 .cshrc.CS540
Step 2: source  .cshrc.CS540
Step 3: sqlplus  username/password@CS540

npu23.npu.edu (Oracle database server for introduction/advanced/database related courses)

Step 1: cp  /home/npunix/.cshrc.npu9i .cshrc.npu9i
Step 2: source  .cshrc.npu9i
Step 3: sqlplus  username/password@npu9i

5. Forgot your password?

Submit an Online Support Form or visit Room 201.

6. Login problem?

There are many ways to check if you failed to login to the Oracle server.

• Make sure you login to the correct server that has your account record.
• Is your account valid? We'll close your account after you finished the course you registered for at the end of semester.
• Did you insert the correct username and password? Username and password are case sensitive .
• Does the network run well? Please check whether the network cable connection is attached correctly or not.
• Is the Oracle database server alive? If you are not sure please contact a system administrator in Room 201.

7. Can I login to the Oracle database server from a Windows environment?

Yes. We have installed "Oracle client tool for Windows" on each computer system. Before you can use it you should configure the listener file called tnsnames.ora to build a connection. Usually this file is located in the following directory:

c:\orant\network\admin\tnsnames.ora
or
c:\orant\net80\admin\tnsnames.ora

The directory and path may be varied on different operating systems.

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SSH

1. Why SSH?

Secure Shell (SSH), sometimes known as Secure Socket Shell, is a UNIX-based command interface and protocol for securely getting access to a remote computer. It is widely used by network administrators to control web and other kinds of servers remotely. SSH commands are encrypted and secured in several ways. Both ends of the client/server connection are authenticated using a digital certificate and passwords are protected by being encrypted.

2. Where can I get the free SSH tool?

Click here to download

3. Do I have to use SSH to connect terminals when I use a workstation on campus?

There is no need to use SSH to connect Unix machines when you run the school PCs.

4. After using SSH to connect successfully, can I connect other terminals by using telnet?

Yes. The telnet command still works between Unix terminals. If you have a problem to connect to certain target terminals, you can try to login to another terminal, then use telnet to connect to the target terminal.

5. Is there any command line to replace the SSH GUI tool?

Once you login to any terminal successfully, you can use the following command line to replace SSH GUI tool.

command line: ssh [-l username] hostname
i.e. [npu1:/home/john]ssh -l john npu2

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E-mail

1. What is the POP3 and SMTP server?

On NPU campus, you can use following servers:
POP3 Server: npu30.npu.edu
SMTP Server: npu30.npu.edu

2. Why I cannot use npu30.npu.edu as SMTP server at home?

Our SMTP server does not provide service for outside of the NPU Campus. If you are at your home, you must use your ISP's SMTP server or you can even build your own SMTP server. Click here to see how to do.

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