wiki.chpc.ac.za

As of 20 June 2026, the Lengau login procedure has been made much more secure. There are three layers of security:

1. Multi-factor authentication on the user portal
2. Virtual Private Network into the CHPC network
3. SSH login using keys only

This is the process for logging into Lengau for the first time once services have been restored:

1. Login to the CHPC User Portal using your username and password.
2. Complete MFA verification using the 6-digit code sent to your email (valid for 2 hours).
3. Download and configure your unique VPN profile, then connect to the CHPC VPN.
4. Create your SSH keys (if none exist) and copy the contents of the public key to a text file.
5. SSH to Lengau using your CHPC username.
6. Enter the password when prompted ( can reset on the user portal )
7. On first login, from step 4 copy and paste your SSH public key into the terminal when requested.
8. Disconnect and login again — future access will use SSH key authentication.

Users manage their profile data on the CHPC user portal. To protect the integrity of the cluster login credentials as well as private information, logging into this web-based user portal will require the user to enter a 6-digit code which will be sent automatically to their registered email address. Contact the CHPC helpdesk immediately if you notice such any such email not triggered by yourself.

A VPN is used to restrict access to the CHPC network to registered CHPC users. In addition, each registered user may have only one open VPN connection at any given time. Get your WireGuard configuration file on the CHPC user portal. Additional client software install instructions are available on the WireGuard web page.

To increase security without incurring too much unnecessary effort, cluster login is by means of ssh-keys only. Passwords are inherently insecure and easy to get wrong. Ssh-keys are easy to set up and make subsequent logins much easier. The process is explained on this page.