# How to Access the Yens

## Access Eligibility

By default, GSB faculty, staff, PhD students, and research fellows have access. Others require sponsored access from a GSB faculty member. More info on [sponsored access](/_policies/collaborators).

______________________________________________________________________

## Log In to the Yens

Important

You need a SUNet ID and password to log into the Yens.

1. Open a shell.

1. Run the following command:

   Terminal Command

   ```
   ssh <SUNetID>@yen.stanford.edu
   ```

1. Authenticate using your SUNet ID password. You will not see your password being typed. Then, complete the two-factor authentication process with [Duo](https://uit.stanford.edu/service/authentication/twostep/smartphone).

If the login is successful, you will see something similar to the following:

## Log In to a Specific Yen

To log into a specific server (`yen1`, `yen2`, `yen3`, `yen4` or `yen5`), write it in the `ssh` command. For example, to login to `yen3`, do:

Terminal Command

```
ssh <SUNetID>@yen3.stanford.edu
```

## Common Access Questions

### What Shell Should I Use?

#### Mac Users

Access the shell through the **Terminal** app (pre-installed).

#### Windows Users

- **Windows 10+ Users:**\
  Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) by running in Windows powershell:

  Powershell Command

  ```
  wsl --install
  ```

After installing and restarting your computer, search for **Ubuntu** and follow the setup instructions.

Tip

To enable copy and paste, click the top-left Ubuntu icon, go to Settings, and enable copy/paste.

- **Windows \<10 Users:**\
  Use **Git Bash**, which comes with [Git for Windows](https://gitforwindows.org).

#### Linux Users

Open your default shell app, often named **Shell** or something similar, depending on your OS.

### Graphical User Interface (GUI) Applications

For GUI applications such as Stata, use X-forwarding:

- **Mac OS:** Install [XQuartz](https://www.xquartz.org).
- **Windows 10+:** WSL supports X-forwarding natively so no third-party tool is needed.
- **Windows \<10:** Install [Xming](https://sourceforge.net/projects/xming/).

Then, use:

Terminal Command

```
ssh -Y <SUNetID>@yen.stanford.edu
```

### Common Access Issues

1. **No Sponsored Yen Cluster Access**

   If you're not eligible by default, confirm you have sponsorship from a GSB faculty member.

1. **Access Not Renewed**

   Sponsored access may need periodic renewal. Verify if your access has expired.

1. **Scheduled Maintenance**

   The Yens undergo regular maintenance every two months. Downtime notifications are provided on login, via email and Slack.

   ```
   📅⏰⚠️  --> Next Downtime: March 26, 2020
   ```

1. **Remote Access Issues**

   Ensure you are connected to Stanford’s [VPN](https://uit.stanford.edu/service/vpn) when accessing the Yens remotely.

1. **Use Full Server Address**

   If you encounter an error like:

   Terminal Output

   ```
   ssh: Could not resolve hostname yen1: nodename nor servname provided, or not known
   ```

   Ensure you use the full address:

   Terminal Command

   ```
   ssh <SUNetID>@yen1.stanford.edu
   ```