3.1 - How do I get an ACS UNIX account?

You will need to fill out this form saying that you have read the Penn State Computer usage policies AD20, Guideline ADG01, and Guideline ADG02, and our local policy. Email adoller@psu.edu to set up a time to type in your password. If you already have an NT/2000 account you do not have to fill out these forms again.

3.2 - How to I access my unix account?

  • The first way is to sit at the console. Simply type in your username and Password.
  • The second way is from another unix machine. That machine must have ssh version 1.0 compatability. Type ssh sabine.acs.psu.edu in a shell. All X-windows forwarding will be taken care of, unless your unix machine has disabled x-window forwarding.
  • The third way is by using our NT workstations. They mascarade as X-windows clients. Click here to read the NT FAQ.

    • 3.3 - I've logged in now what?

    Each Unix machine has different software installed on them. So certain programs, their use will require you to log into different machines. Basic commands that can be found on most Unix machines can be found here and here. The all important command is man. Try typing man man to get the idea. A helpful tip if you don't know the command is to type man -k keyword where the keyword is something like 'copy' or 'delete'.

    3.4 - How can I change my password?

    Check our local policy for password requrements.

    Type kpasswd at the command prompt as shown below:

    % kpasswd
    kpasswd: Changing password for andy@ACS.PSU.EDU.
    Old password:
    kpasswd: andy@ACS.PSU.EDU's password is controlled by the policy users, which
    requires a minimum of 8 characters from at least 3 classes (the five classes
    are lowercase, uppercase, numbers, punctuation, and all other characters).
    New password:
    Confirm password:
    You will be asked for your old password. You will then enter you new password and then confirm it by typing it again. Unix passwords expire every 90 days - WITHOUT WARNING. Please keep track of when you last changed it. Mark it in your calendar or change your NT/2000 account at the same time. It will remind you 6 days prior. If you let it expire, contact me (adoller@psu.edu) to schedule at time to meet in room 210 ASB.