How to use MetaLab


FTP for transferring files to your MetaLab account

  1. ftp login.MetaLab.unc.edu (or use Fetch of RapidFiler to connect to login.MetaLab.unc.edu)
  2. login: <your mail-id>
  3. passwd: <the passwd you set up in class>
  4. cd html (to get to your area that is accessed by the WWW server)
  5. put <file-name> (to put your file on the MetaLab computers)
  6. quit (when you want to end your ftp session)

ssh (aka Secure Shell) or telnet for working directly on login.MetaLab

We strongly recommend that you use Secure Shell otherwise known as ssh instead of telnet when using login.MetaLab.unc.edu through a virtual terminal. ssh will give you end-to-end encryption thus preventing your passwd, keystrokes, etc from being monitored or intercepted. ssh works exactly like telnet--except for the encryption which you will not notice at all. A good  ssh client is Datafellows F-Prot available at http://www.datafellows.com/
  1. telnet login.MetaLab.unc.edu (or use NCSA telnet or HostPresenter) or use an ssh client
  2. login: <your mail-id>
  3. passwd: <the passwd you set up in class>
  4. cd html (to get to your area that is accessed by the WWW server)
  5. pico <file-name> or vi <file-name> to edit your files on MetaLab
  6. Remember Only files in your html directory are accessible by the server

Accessing your files via WWW

You may address your files directly by name even if they are not linked to anything else by using a URL of this type: http://MetaLab.unc.edu/<your id>/your-file-name.html


Working with your GROUP

You are members of groups for your project work as was noted in an earlier message. What does this mean?

First there is NO group login, BUT there IS group server space. So don't bother to try logging in using your group name; it will not work. Login under your own id.

Where is that space?
/public/html/<group name> is set so that members of a group can place files there and work with them. This means that any member of the medicine group can place files in /public/html/medicine and create subdirectories there etc.

How can I tell if the files is owned by my group?
Use the ls -alg command to list the files. You will see something like this:
-rwxrwxr-- 1 owner-id group-id 33750 Oct 29 16:04 file.name
this file has all group and owner permissions set on

-rwx------ 1 owner-id group-id 124662 Oct 31 10:24 file.name
this files has ONLY owner permissions set on

-rw-rw-rw- 1 owner-id group-id 18029 Nov 9 16:13 file.name
this file may be read and written over (including deleted) by anyone

How do I fix it so that others in my group can use my files?
chmod g+rw <file name> will allow members of your group to read and write the files.
chgrp <group name> <file name> will set the ownership of the file to your group and allow group access once the permissions are set by chmod.

Read More About chgrp, chmod, and chown by using the man command. man commandname


Reading mail for your MetaLab account

For security purposes and for your greater convenience, MetaLab e-mail can be read by IMAP clients ONLY. Yes, pine on login.MetaLab.unc.edu is an IMAP client.

Our IMAP (or mailbox) server is mail.MetaLab.unc.edu
Our STMP (oe mail delivery) is mail.MetaLab.unc.edu (but MetaLab.unc.edu will also work)
Your mail address will appear as <your id>@MetaLab.unc.edu on outgoing mail and that is the best address for you to receive mail as well.

If you use pine on login.MetaLab.unc.edu, you should have this entry in SetUp -- Configuration:
inbox-path               = {mail.MetaLab.unc.edu}inbox
then you can read mail with ease. We're secure because we care.

If you would like for your MetaLab mail to be delivered to another address, create a file named .forward in your top level directory.
.forward should be a one line file containing the exact address which you wish to receive your mail.


For help with RealAudio and RealVideo see: http://MetaLab.unc.edu/pjones/jomc125-99/real_help.html