Accessing the HPC Cluster (SSH)

The High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster is available to SFSU faculty and students. Students must have a faculty sponsor to receive access. To request access, submit a request via ServiceNOW or email at@sfsu.edu.

Before you begin

• Username: your 9-digit SF State ID (example: 912345678)
• Hostname: polaris.sfsu.edu
• Off campus? Connect to VPN first (see note at the bottom of this page).

SSH command (copy/paste):

ssh YOUR_9_DIGIT_ID@polaris.sfsu.edu

Mac (Terminal)

1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal).
2. Run the SSH command below (replace YOUR_9_DIGIT_ID with your SF State ID):

ssh YOUR_9_DIGIT_ID@polaris.sfsu.edu

3. When prompted, enter your SF State password.

Windows (Recommended: PowerShell / Windows Terminal)

Most modern Windows systems include SSH by default. Try this first:

1. Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell.
2. Run:

ssh YOUR_9_DIGIT_ID@polaris.sfsu.edu

3. When prompted, enter your SF State password.

Windows (Optional: PuTTY)

1. If you prefer PuTTY, download it from: https://www.putty.org/
2. Open PuTTY.
3. In Host Name, enter: polaris.sfsu.edu
4. Select Open.
5. At the login prompt, enter your 9-digit SF State ID, then enter your SF State password.

VPN required when off campus

If you are not on campus, you must connect to the SF State VPN before using SSH. Install VPN from: https://gp.sfsu.edu. Students can download VPN from: https://gp-students.sfsu.edu.