Checking out code (non-maintainer): cvs -R -d /u/landcvs/CVS co unpackexps Checking out code (maintainer): cvs -d :ext:landcvs@lxi001.gsi.de:/u/landcvs/CVS co unpackexps -- From both, one can then do, (with -R flag, for non-maintainer-checkouts, to avoid warnings) cvs diff -u cvs update -d -- Check-in, can be done from the maintainer checked-out code: cvs commit (and cvs add, etc, whatever is needed). From a non-maintainer-checkout, one can use the cvs -d :ext:landcvs@lxi001.gsi.de:/u/landcvs/CVS commit to make it happen. -- Note: it is strongly recommeneded to work with ssh-keys, and not passwords. (Also since one needs to enter fewer passwords). For the maintainer, it means that (s)he logs in from her/his account to the land-account with ssh -A land@machine , such that the ssh-key can also be used to get access to the landcvs account.