• Live Chat
  • Report an IT Security Incident
  • Request Help
  • Help & Support
    • Live Chat
    • Request Help
    • Track a Ticket
    • Knowledge Base
    • Getting Started
    • Working/Learning Remotely
    • Computer Labs & Classrooms Information
  • Service Catalog
    • ITS General Help
    • Accounts & Access
    • Communications & Collaboration
    • Computers & Software
    • Information Security
    • Network & Internet Services
    • Professional Services
    • Research Computing
    • Teaching & Learning
    • University Applications
  • About ITS
    • Our ITS Team
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Awards
    • Student Employment
  • Working with ITS
    • Architectural Standards Review Board
    • Banner Admin
    • Business Intelligence
    • Data Governance
    • Enterprise Data Integration Services (EDIS)
    • IT Business Analysis
    • IT Security Office
    • Projects & Project Management
    • Technical Business Solution Intake Request Process
  • Alerts & Outages
    • Unplanned Outages
    • Phishing Alerts
    • Maintenance
    • After Action Reports
    • Archives
    • ITS Alerts Sign Up
  • News
    • Bits & Bytes Signup
    • Bits & Bytes Submissions
    • Bits & Bytes Archive
    • Spotlights
    • Bulletins
George Mason University
  • Live Chat
  • Report an IT Security Incident
  • Request Help
X Hide

Information Technology Services

Skip to content
  • Help & Support
    • Live Chat
    • Request Help
    • Track a Ticket
    • Knowledge Base
    • Getting Started
    • Working/Learning Remotely
    • Computer Labs & Classrooms Information
  • Service Catalog
    • ITS General Help
    • Accounts & Access
    • Communications & Collaboration
    • Computers & Software
    • Information Security
    • Network & Internet Services
    • Professional Services
    • Research Computing
    • Teaching & Learning
    • University Applications
  • About ITS
    • Our ITS Team
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Awards
    • Student Employment
  • Working with ITS
    • Architectural Standards Review Board
    • Banner Admin
    • Business Intelligence
    • Data Governance
    • Enterprise Data Integration Services (EDIS)
    • IT Business Analysis
    • IT Security Office
    • Projects & Project Management
    • Technical Business Solution Intake Request Process
  • Alerts & Outages
    • Unplanned Outages
    • Phishing Alerts
    • Maintenance
    • After Action Reports
    • Archives
    • ITS Alerts Sign Up
  • News
    • Bits & Bytes Signup
    • Bits & Bytes Submissions
    • Bits & Bytes Archive
    • Spotlights
    • Bulletins

How can ITS help you?

Our services are designed to help you succeed at Mason—
search our services, knowledge articles, how to guides, FAQs, and more.

Knowledge Base

Home > Help & Support > Knowledge Base > Web, Servers & Data > Web Dev > How to Connect to the Mason Cluster Via PuTTY (Windows)

How to Connect to the Mason Cluster Via PuTTY (Windows)

Certain tasks on the Mason Cluster require commands to be executed on the command line. You will need to set up your Mason server space before you can utilize it. If you are not sure if you have already set up your Mason server space, nothing will change when you go through the steps below more than once.

Prerequisites

  • Mason Cluster account
  • PuTTY SSH client
  • VPN client

Connect to the Server

PuTTY Download: Open a web browser to visit the official PuTTY download site at www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html (download at https://putty.org/).

If utilizing an FTP client not listed here, such as Cyberduck, ensure that encryption is SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).

Note: You will need to be connected to the VPN to connect to the mason cluster (mason.gmu.edu).

How to Use PuTTY (Windows)

Step 1

Open the PuTTY SSH Client.

Step 2

In the PuTTY Configuration box, enter the hostname mason.gmu.edu

Step 3

Select the connection type SSH. (Note: port should be set to 22.)

Step 4

Select Open.

Step 5

If this is your first time connecting, you may get a few warning messages. Select OK to dismiss the messages.

Step 6

Enter your Mason NetID (username) and select Enter. Then type in your  password and select Enter.
(Please note: You will not see any characters as you type your password in Putty.)

Once you have a mason> prompt, you can proceed with fixing server upload permissions or updating your website.

Last modified: February 3, 2025

Previous

How to Connect to the Mason Cluster via Terminal (Mac)

Next

What is the Mason Cluster?

Related articles

  • What is Adobe Dreamweaver?
  • What are homeweb scripts?
  • How to Request a Virtual Host (Custom URL)
  • What is the web development disclaimer?
  • How do I subscribe to the Web Development Discussion listserv?

Get Started at Mason

Whether you are a student, faculty, staff member, or a guest visiting the Mason campus, we have resources to help get you started.

READ MORE

Quick Links

Patriot Pass Password Reset
Create a Ticket
Track a Ticket
PuTTY
Cisco AnyConnect VPN

READ MORE

Explore IT Services

A B C D E F G
H I J K L M N
O P Q R S T U
V W X Y Z #

I T S Logo

© 2024 George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Follow Us
location pin for in-person IT support   @GeorgeMasonITS
location pin for in-person IT support   @georgemasonits
ITS Support 24/7
   703-993-8870
   Live Chat
  • Webmaster