# Accessing astro3

How to get access and connect to the astro3 cluster over SSH.

## Requirements

- Must be a member of the `physics_astro3` LDAP group
- Valid Tel Aviv University username and password
- If connecting from outside the TAU network: TAU VPN must be active — see [Palo Alto VPN](https://hpcguide.tau.ac.il/books/getting-started/page/palo-alto-vpn)

## Login Node

Direct SSH to the astro3 head node — no load-balanced login pool like powerslurm:

```bash
astro3.tau.ac.il
```

## Connecting via SSH

```bash
ssh your_username@astro3.tau.ac.il
```

With an SSH key:

```bash
ssh -i /path/to/your/private_key your_username@astro3.tau.ac.il
```

## Important

- Do not run compute jobs directly on the head node — use `sbatch` or `srun`
- The head node is shared — heavy processes may be killed