FastX

FastX (by StarNet) is a high-performance remote graphical interface tool designed to display linux in your browser. A key benefit of FastX is session persistence: you can disconnect from an active session without closing your running programs, allowing you to pick up right where you left off from a different location or device. For more details, visit the StarNet FastX Website.

CHPC's StarNet license supports multiple FastX server installations. To ensure optimal performance:

Recommended Nodes: We recommend connecting to the dedicated cluster interactive nodes or the Frisco peak nodes (frisco1 through frisco8).
Custom Installations: If your research requires FastX on a specific CHPC-supported system where it isn't currently available, please contact the CHPC team at helpdesk@chpc.utah.edu

On this page

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CHPC Usage Policy

To ensure stable performance and fair access for everyone, please adhere to the following policies and connection guidelines when using FastX.

Resource Selection & Policies

Default to Frisco: Users should default to using the dedicated frisco nodes (frisco1 through frisco8) for FastX sessions.
Interactive Node Rules: All standard CHPC interactive node usage policies apply (see Policy 2.1.1). If you are unsure whether your workflow's resource requirements exceed what a shared interactive node should handle, route your session to a frisco node or a private owner interactive node instead.
Avoid Generic Aliases: Do not use generic patterns like clustername.chpc.utah.edu. This is a round-robin address that does not guarantee you will land on a persistent or appropriate server.
Target Specific Nodes: Explicitly type the address of the desired node:
- Notchpeak / Kingspeak / Lonepeak: Use the specific node number (e.g., clustername1.chpc.utah.edu or kingspeak1.chpc.utah.edu).
- Frisco Peaks: Use frisco1.chpc.utah.edu through frisco8.chpc.utah.edu.

Policy Updates

CHPC may establish additional guidelines or update these usage policies over time to adapt to evolving user needs and cluster resource demands.

FastX

Using FastX 3 Web Client

Starting a Session

1. Open up to the Fast X dashboard in a web browser by visiting the link below and replacing servername with one of the CHPC servers, (e.g., kingspeak1, notchpeak1)

http://servername.chpc.utah.edu:3300

2. Sign in using your University of Utah uNID, password and authenticate with DUO

3. To start a new session click on any application located on the left hand side of the screen and click on the play button that appears

Note: edits to the window dimension and session name can be made by clicking on the application and then the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the application

Reconnecting to an Active Session

If you left a session running or got disconnected:

Log back in to the exact same server you used originally.
Find your existing session in the dashboard.
Click on the session and hit the play button to open it in a new browser tab.

Keeping a Session Alive

To close your browser window while leaving your applications running in the background:

Navigate back to the dashboard.
Select the session you want to leave running.
Open the pulldown menu next to the x icon and choose Disconnect.

Closing a Session Permanently

When you are completely finished working and want to free up server resources:

Select the active session in your dashboard.
Open the pulldown menu next to the x icon and choose Terminate.

Using the FastX Desktop Client

If you prefer using the desktop application rather than a web browser, follow StarNets user guide to set up connections, launch sessions, and manage your work using either FastX 4 or FastX 3 (both versions use the same user guide).

Note: If you are connecting from off-campus, make sure to start your VPN before opening the FastX.

Installing FastX Desktop Client

On the FastX dashboard there is an Annoucements section. At the bottom there should be two links one of which says 'Desktop Clients'. That link will take you to see the dowload links for the Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems, download and install the appropriate client.

How to connect to a CHPC server

When you launch the FastX desktop client, two windows will appear: a FastX Window and inside it a Connections Window.

In the Connections window, click the + icon in the upper right corner to define a new server.

Fill out the connection details:

- Host: Enter a specific node address (e.g., frisco1.chpc.utah.edu or notchpeak1.chpc.utah.edu).
- User: Your university uID.
- Port: Leave it as 22.
- Name: A label for the connection (e.g., frisco1)

If you have any issues with FastX, please contact User Services at helpdesk@chpc.utah.edu