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X11 Forwarding and GUI Applications

While many applications on the supercomputer operate directly within the terminal, others utilize graphical interfaces (GUIs) for interaction, such as Gaussian View, VMD, or even standard applications like Firefox. X11 forwarding allows users to run these GUI-based applications remotely by transmitting graphical output to their local machines. To use graphical applications, follow one of the recommended methods described below or an equivalent alternative.

X11 Forwarding​

Ensure your SSH client supports X11 forwarding. See our page on recommended terminal clients.

To enable X11 forwarding, include the -X flag in your SSH command:

ssh -X asurite@sol.asu.edu

Web Portal​

Alternatively, you can access graphical applications through the web portal by launching an interactive virtual desktop session. This approach displays GUI applications within a native windowing environment hosted on the supercomputer, bypassing the need for SSH-based X11 forwarding. Simply initiate a desktop session from the portal to automatically enable GUI interactions.

Advanced Graphics (OpenGL / WebGL)​

Certain applications require enhanced graphical performance via OpenGL. Since supercomputer hardware is primarily server-grade and lacks native OpenGL support, you must load an emulation module for optimal graphical performance. The Mesa3D libraries, comprising open-source implementations of OpenGL, OpenGL ES, Vulkan, and OpenCL, provide this emulation:

module load mesa-22.0.2-gcc-11.2.0 gcc-11.2.0-gcc-11.2.0

Note: Module loading affects only the active terminal session. To use GUI applications within a web portal desktop session, open a terminal window within the session, load the necessary Mesa and GCC modules, and subsequently launch your application:

module load mesa-22.0.2-gcc-11.2.0 gcc-11.2.0-gcc-11.2.0
firefox

If using WebGL-enabled applications in Firefox, additional configuration may be required:

  1. Enter about:config into Firefox’s address bar and confirm any security prompts.
  2. Search for webgl.force-enable and double-click to set it to true.