Accessing the Zoo from Windows Using FastX

Using FastX you can turn a window on Windows into the same Linux desktop that you see when you log into a Zoo node.

To install the software on your own Windows machine:

  1. Visit the Yale Software Library and download the file containing the FastX 2 Client application.
    If asked whether you would like to save the file, choose "Save File".
  2. Save the file you downloaded.
  3. Launch the file you saved (FastX-2.0.64.msi) to run the installer.
    If asked if you want to allow it to install software on your computer, click "Yes".
  4. When the Setup Wizard is done, click "Finish".
  5. Launch FastX. (There may be an icon on your desktop; if not, you will have to use the Microsoft menu to find it.)
  6. Click on the + sign in the upper right-hand corner of the FastX window.
  7. In the tiny window that appears, click on "ssh".
  8. In the "New SSH Connection" window that appears,
  9. If warned that "This host is not recognized by the system.", click "Continue".
  10. Enter your password when requested.
  11. Close the "Zoo" window that appears.
  12. Close the "FastX" window.
If you run into difficulties up to this point, seek help from a student tech or one of the instructional staff.

Once you have installed the software, do the following to run FastX:

  1. Launch FastX. (There may be an icon on your desktop; if not, you will have to use the Microsoft menu to find it.)
  2. In the "FastX" window that appears, double click on "Zoo".
  3. Enter your password when requested.
  4. In the "Zoo" window that appears, click on the + sign in the upper right-hand corner.
  5. In the "FastX" window that appears, double click on "mate".
    A resizable window containing a Zoo desktop will appear.
  6. When you log out of the Zoo, close the "Zoo" window and then close the "FastX" window.

Please report any errors in this set of instructions to sce @ cs.yale.edu.

Last updated 09/05/16