Registering for Access to a TA/Class Account

Teaching assistants (TAs) for EECS classes must register for a TA account to gain access to special class materials, course web site directories, etc. Registration is handled by the ta_register command, a shell script which creates SSH keys with a >20 character passphrase for the TA account. These keys will allow another script, ta_login, to access the account.

Each teaching assistant must register for a TA account. Passphrases are not to be shared among multiple TAs for a class.

To use the ta_register script, enter ta_register at a Linux prompt followed by the class account name, e.g. cosc302 or ece255. The script will ask for a passphrase. A few things to keep in mind about passphrases:

Passphrases must be longer than twenty (20) characters. The normal EECS password elements including upper-/lowercase letters, numbers, and/or special character are not required. Passphrases cannot be recovered. After entering and confirming your passphrase, the key pair will be created. Example output from ta_register is provided below:

prompt> ta_register cs102

Now enter your passphrase for your new class account key.

It must be at least 20 characters in length.

Passphrase?

Again?

The passphrase has been accepted. Make sure that you remember itand DO NOT write it down under any circumstances.

Notifying the IT Staff...

Done.

After the IT Staff grants you access to the class account, you can use the ta_login command to access the class account.

Once the ta_register script has finished, you will need to wait for someone from the EECS IT Staff to inform you (via email) that the TA account is ready for use. When the TA account is ready, you may use the ta_login command to access it.

• Accessing a TA/class account