SeaWulf Desktop

SeaWulf Desktop Guide

Overview

SeaWulf Desktop provides a full Linux desktop environment running on SeaWulf compute nodes. It allows users to interact with the cluster through a graphical interface, run GUI applications, and access files and terminals, all from a web browser.

Getting Started

  1. Open the SeaWulf Open OnDemand portal: https://sn-ood.seawulf.stonybrook.edu/
  2. Log in using your NetID and DUO authentication.
  3. Launch SeaWulf Desktop:
    • Click the SeaWulf Desktop icon on the dashboard
    • OR navigate to Interactive Apps → SeaWulf Desktop

Session Configuration

On the settings page, configure your session:

  • Queue: Choose a queue suitable for your workload (e.g., short-40core-shared).
  • Desktop Environment: Select XFCE, GNOME, or other supported environment.
  • Time Limit: Set session duration.
  • Nodes: Keep at 1 unless running parallelized jobs.
  • Email Notification: Optional; will notify your Stony Brook email when the session starts.
Tip: Request only the resources you need; more resources may increase queue times.

SeaWulf Desktop settings page

Launching the Session

Click Launch to start your session. The session status will update as Queued → Starting → Running. Once running, a page will display session controls, including a shareable view-only link.

SeaWulf Desktop session started view

Using SeaWulf Desktop

After launching, a new browser tab will open with the full Linux desktop:

  • Log in with your NetID password if prompted
  • Use applications as you would on a normal Linux desktop
  • Access the terminal via the black icon at the bottom or Applications → Terminal Emulator
  • Use the shareable link to allow view-only access to other SeaWulf users

SeaWulf Desktop main interface

Ending Your Session

  • Close the desktop tab
  • Return to the session status page
  • Click Delete and confirm to free cluster resources