Snowball Server

What is Snowball?

The Snowball server is an instructional server for the GSU Computer Science department. It is used for teaching programming and UNIX/Linux computer architecture classes. It is running CentOS Linux. Students are encouraged to have a cursory knowledge of Linux in order to use this server. This server utilizes the following technologies:

  • C++
  • Java
  • MySQL

Snowball Accounts

Create an Account

Snowball is connected to the university single sign-on system. Your GSU Username and Password are sufficient for connecting to the system. If there are any issues with logging into this server, please make sure your credentials work with other university services, such as PantherMail. Otherwise, speak with your professor or contact Computer Science Technical Support.

Remove an Account

Student accounts and data are automatically removed at the end of every semester. This is an automatic process managed by the Computer Science department.

Lost and Forgotten Passwords

Snowball is connected to the university single sign-on system. Since your GSU Username and Password are used for connecting to the system, you can manage your account access by following the Reset your GSU password guide.

Unable to Login

There can be several causes for an account being unable to login. Depending on the client used and Operating System of your computer, a different message may show for the same issue. The following is a generalized list of common issues.

It says “Access denied”…

Your username may be incorrect. Please double-check the spelling of your username, then try again.

It says “Incorrect password”…

Your password may be incorrect. Please double-check your password, then try again. If it continues to fail, you can update your password using the Reset your GSU password guide.

It says “Connection timed out”…

Your system has been flagged for excessive incorrect logins. Restrictions are automatically lifted after about three (3) hours; try to login at a later time.

It says “Port 22 - Connection refused”…

Your system has been flagged for excessive incorrect logins. Restrictions are automatically lifted after about three (3) hours; try to login at a later time.

It's been 3 hours and I'm still receiving a “Connection timed out” or “Connection refused” message…

Please contact Computer Science Technical Support to assist with this issue.

It says “Your password is expired” and I can't reset my password…

Your GSU credentials have expired. You may use the Reset your GSU password guide to update your password. Passwords cannot be changed through the server directly.

It says “Received unexpected end-of-file”…

Your GSU credentials have expired and must be updated. You may use the Reset your GSU password guide to update your password.

I've reset my password and it works on iCollege, PantherMail, etc but not here…

Please contact Computer Science Technical Support to assist with this issue.

Connecting to Snowball

How to Connect using SSH

The Snowball server supports connecting and transferring files using the SSH protocol. The following are instructions on how to connect using all major operating systems. To transfer files, please see How to Transfer Files with SCP.

Microsoft Windows

  1. Start the Windows PowerShell application by going to Start → Windows PowerShell or typing powershell into the Start Menu

    PuTTY on the Start Menu

  2. A blue (or black) window with a command prompt will appear

  3. Type in ssh username@snowball.cs.gsu.edu, replacing username with your GSU Username, then press ENTER
    Example: jdoe23@snowball.cs.gsu.edu

  4. If this is your first time connecting, you may be asked to remember the key fingerprint. Type yes, then press ENTER

  5. Type in your GSU Password, then press ENTER

    Connected

  6. You are connected! To disconnect, type exit.

:?: Looking for an alternative method? How to Connect using PuTTY

Windows Alternative: Connect using PuTTY

  1. Download an SSH client such as PuTTY

    Download PuTTY

  2. Run the PuTTY installer to install the application

  3. Start the PuTTY application by going to Start → PuTTY or typing putty into the Start Menu

    PuTTY on the Start Menu

  4. In the PuTTY Configuration window…
    1. Under Host Name (or IP Address), type the full name of the server: snowball.cs.gsu.edu
    2. Under Port, type the port for the server: 22
    3. Click Open

      PuTTY Configuration

  5. The black SSH window will show with the words login as: with a prompt.
    1. Type in your GSU Username, then press ENTER
      Example: jdoe23
    2. Type in your GSU Password, then press ENTER

      Connected

  6. You are connected! To disconnect, type exit.

Apple macOS

  1. Start the Terminal application by going to Launcher → Terminal or typing terminal into the Launcher

    Terminal in Launcher

  2. A white window with a command prompt will appear

  3. Type in ssh username@snowball.cs.gsu.edu, replacing username with your GSU Username, then press ENTER
    Example: jdoe23@snowball.cs.gsu.edu

  4. If this is your first time connecting, you may be asked to remember the key fingerprint. Type yes, then press ENTER

  5. Type in your GSU Password, then press ENTER

    Connected

  6. You are connected! To disconnect, type exit.

Ubuntu Linux

  1. Start the Terminal application by going to Applications → Terminal or typing terminal into the app search

    Terminal in Launcher

  2. A dark window with a command prompt will appear

  3. Type in ssh username@snowball.cs.gsu.edu, replacing username with your GSU Username, then press ENTER
    Example: jdoe23@snowball.cs.gsu.edu

  4. If this is your first time connecting, you may be asked to remember the key fingerprint. Type yes, then press ENTER

  5. Type in your GSU Password, then press ENTER

    Connected

  6. You are connected! To disconnect, type exit.

How to Transfer Files with SCP

The Snowball server supports connecting and transferring files using the SSH and SCP protocols. The following are instructions on how to transfer files using all major operating systems. You can also transfer files using any SSH or SCP client.

Microsoft Windows

  1. Download an SCP/SFTP client such as WinSCP or FileZilla

    Download WinSCP Download FileZilla

  2. Run the WinSCP or FileZilla installer to install the application

  3. Start the application by going to Start → WinSCP or Start → FileZilla or typing winscp or filezilla into the Start Menu

    WinSCP on the Start Menu .. FileZilla on the Start Menu

  4. The following instructions are for WinSCP:
    1. In the WinSCP Login window…
      1. Under File protocol, select SFTP.
      2. Under Host name, type the full name of the server: snowball.cs.gsu.edu
      3. Under Port number, type the port for the server: 22
      4. Under User name, type your GSU Username.
        Example: jdoe23
      5. Under Password, type your GSU Password.
      6. Click Login

        WinSCP Login

    2. The program will connect to the server and show file contents

      WinSCP Overview

    3. To upload a file to the server, drag a file or folder from the left pane to the right pane

      WinSCP Upload

    4. To download a file from the server, drag a file or folder from the right pane to the left pane

      WinSCP Download

    5. To disconnect, go to Session → Disconnect

      WinSCP Disconect

  5. The following instructions are for FileZilla
    1. In the FileZilla Main window…
      1. Under Host, type the full name of the server: snowball.cs.gsu.edu
      2. Under Username, type your GSU Username.
        Example: jdoe23
      3. Under Password, type your GSU Password.
      4. Under Port, type the port for the server: 22
      5. Click Quickconnect

        FileZilla Login

    2. The program will connect to the server and show file contents

      FileZilla Overview

    3. To upload a file to the server, drag a file or folder from the left pane to the right pane

      FileZilla Upload

    4. To download a file from the server, drag a file or folder from the right pane to the left pane

      FileZilla Download

    5. To disconnect, go to Server → Disconnect

      FileZilla Disconect

  6. Done!

Apple macOS

  1. Download an SCP/SFTP client such as FileZilla

    Download FileZilla

  2. Run the FileZilla installer to install the application

  3. Start the application by going to Launcher → FileZilla or typing filezilla into the Launcher

    PIC

  4. The following instructions are for FileZilla
    1. In the FileZilla Main window…
      1. Under Host, type the full name of the server: snowball.cs.gsu.edu
      2. Under Username, type your GSU Username.
        Example: jdoe23
      3. Under Password, type your GSU Password.
      4. Under Port, type the port for the server: 22
      5. Click Quickconnect

        FileZilla Login

    2. The program will connect to the server and show file contents

      FileZilla Overview

    3. To upload a file to the server, drag a file or folder from the left pane to the right pane

      FileZilla Upload

    4. To download a file from the server, drag a file or folder from the right pane to the left pane

      FileZilla Download

    5. To disconnect, go to Server → Disconnect

      FileZilla Disconect

  5. Done!

Ubuntu Linux

  1. Download an SCP/SFTP client such as FileZilla

    Download FileZilla

  2. Run the FileZilla installer to install the application

  3. Start the application by going to Applications → FileZilla or typing filezilla into the app search

    PIC

  4. The following instructions are for FileZilla
    1. In the FileZilla Main window…
      1. Under Host, type the full name of the server: snowball.cs.gsu.edu
      2. Under Username, type your GSU Username.
        Example: jdoe23
      3. Under Password, type your GSU Password.
      4. Under Port, type the port for the server: 22
      5. Click Quickconnect

        FileZilla Login

    2. The program will connect to the server and show file contents

      FileZilla Overview

    3. To upload a file to the server, drag a file or folder from the left pane to the right pane

      FileZilla Upload

    4. To download a file from the server, drag a file or folder from the right pane to the left pane

      FileZilla Download

    5. To disconnect, go to Server → Disconnect

      FileZilla Disconect

  5. Done!

Unable to Connect

There can be several causes for an account being unable to connect. This is commonly because of a login issue. Therefore, please see the generalized list of common issues with regard to logins in the Unable to Login section.

Developing on Snowball

Directories

The Snowball server is a standard Linux-based web server. Your professor will have additional information on how to properly use the server in order to complete assignments. The following information is for general use.

If your account name is jdoe1, then…

  • /home/jdoe1 is your personal Home directory. This is where you can store your files.

MySQL

MySQL databases are automatically generated for all students on the Codd server. All MySQL databases are automatically generated within 24 hours of your first Codd login. Your database name is always your GSU username. Your database login is also your GSU username.

Your professor will have additional information on how to use MySQL in order to complete your assignments. Please speak with your professor for your current database password.

Need More Help?

This technology or service is under the support of the Computer Science department. If you are having any technical issues with the system, please consult your professor. You may also report an issue to the help desk.

Open a Support Ticket

  • Last modified: 2023/01/26 22:30