Connecting to a BARC VM with Cygwin

Why Cygwin?

There are many ways to connect a Windows workstation or laptop to a BARC Virtual Machine (VM). For users who prefer command line through Secure Shell (SSH), Windows Subsystems for Linux (Bash for Windows) is an option that is easy to install and use. See the Bash for Windows document for details. SSH from Bash for Windows lacks a supported Graphical User Interface (GUI). Remote Desktop from Windows to xRDP is also an option, see the Connecting to BARC Linux VM with RDP and SSH document. This option provides a GUI and access to a Command Line Interface (CLI). For users who prefer a more authentic experience Cygwin allows SSH and X. This document explains how to download and install Cygwin.

Download and install

1. Open your web browser and go to https://www.cygwin.com/setup-x86_64.exe .
   
   
   
2. Download setup-x86_64.exe.
3. Go to your Downloads folder and double click on the Cygwin installer, setup-x86_64.exe.
4. Click “Yes” to acknowledge the User Access Control message and allow the installer to run.
   
   
   
5. Click Next >.
6. Select the option to Install from Internet.
   
   
   
7. Click Next >.
8. Keep the default Root Directory.
9. Select Install for “All users (RECOMMENDED).
   
   
   
10. Click Next >.
11. Keep the default Local Package Directory path.
    
    
    
12. Click Next >.
13. Keep the default Internet connection option.
    
    
    
14. Click Next >.
15. Select a download site.
    
    
    
16. Click Next >.
17. In the View drop-down box select “Category”.
    
    
    
18. Click the + icon next to “All” to view all available packages.
19. To install GNOME Environment and other options follow these instructions BEFORE clicking Next >.
    
    
    
    1. In the “Package” column click the + symbol next to “GNOME”
    2. In the “New” column click on the drop-down box and select Install.
20. Scroll down to the “Net” Package
    
    
    
    1. In the “Package” column click the + symbol next to “Net”.
    2. Scroll down to the “openssh” package. In the “New” column click on the drop-down box for “openssh” and choose the highest revision level listed.
21. Scroll down to X11.
    
    
    
    1. In the “Package” column click the + symbol next to X11.
22. In the “New” column click on the drop-down box and select “Install”.
23. Click Next >.
24. Review the packages listed using the scroll bar. If you forgot a package or do not see it listed, click the “< Back” button to add it.
    
    
    
25. Click Next >.
26. Allow all packages to download.
    
    
    
27. Click Finish.