# MATLAB
MATLAB (opens new window) is a computing environment developed by MatWorks for efficient matrix manipulations and other handy computing tools.
This guide covers the installation of MATLAB on unmanaged On-demand and BLUE machines. Contact us for installations on your home machine.
MATLAB in HUNT Workbench
Head over to the MATLAB FAQ in our HUNT Workbench section to learn more about the setup in your workbench environment.
Requirements
- An unmanaged On-demand or BLUE machine where you have root access.
- A working X2Go server installation on this on this machine.
- Access to the MATLAB software binaries for Linux from your organizaton.
- Access to a MATLAB license for the users in your lab.
# 1. Download
1.1 Download the MATLAB software for Linux on your local computer (client). We recommend that you choose a stable beta version (for example, 2022b) to ensure a reliable installation.
For NTNU users
Log into NTNU's software repository for MATLAB (opens new window), choose your desired version in the top right corner and download on your local computer.
1.2. Transfer MATLAB to your preferred folder in your lab machine (for example /mnt/scratch/MATLAB/)
1.3. Log into your lab machine and unpack the zip file in your folder.
Install dependencies:
sudo apt install unzip libnss3
Unzip MATLAB installer:
unzip <MATLABfile.zip>
- Make all files in your MATLAB-folder executables:
chmod -R 777 <MATLAB-folder>(e.g. /mnt/scratch/MATLAB/). This is a simple fix so you can run the files within subfolders as required by MATLAB.
# 2. Activate the license
2.1 Identify the required license information from your host organization. The content is dependent on your organizations license.
For NTNU users
The exact content of this files is described in NTNU's repository for MATLAB (opens new window).
2.2 Create a file named license.dat with your license information in your <MATLAB-folder>.
In the principal example below, you will need you to replace <license-server-address>, <key1> and <key2> with an URL-address and strings provided by your host institutions license:
SERVER <license-server-address> <key1> <key2>
USE_SERVER
WARNING
Make sure you add a new/empty line after "USE_SERVER".
# 3. Install
The below steps require the code to be run in xterm started from X2GO on the machine holding the MATLAB files downloaded in the above steps.
3.1. Prepare target directory:
mkdir -p /mnt/work/software/matlab_r2022b
mkdir -p /mnt/scratch/tmp
3.2 Go to your MATLAB installation folder (e.g. /mnt/scratch/software/matlab_r2022b) and run the installer:
bash ./install -downloadFolder /mnt/scratch/software/matlab_r2022b -tmpdir /mnt/scratch/tmp -destinationFolder /mnt/work/software/matlab_r2022b
Note that you will need to update the MATLAB version in the above code to the version your are installing.
3.3 During the installation choose: Use a File Installation Key
3.4. Choose I have the File Installation Key for my license and enter the key (these are found on you software repository)
3.5. Follow the installer and choose the packages you want.
3.6. When the installer asks for your product activation, choose the non internet option and provide the location of the license.dat file previously generated.
3.7. If successful, your should see product activation message.
# 4. Run
Run in command line
If you're fine with command lines, run MATLAB directly in your shell. Read more in MathWorks documentation (opens new window).
Run in the graphical interface
If you prefer MATLAB's graphical interface, run MATLAB in your terminal (xterm) started in X2GO.
Open X2Go, connect to your lab machine where you installed MATLAB and run the following command in xterm:
/usr/bin/xterm -e matlab
or with full path e.g.:
/usr/bin/xterm -e /mnt/work/software/matlab_r2022b/bin/matlab
For the example above, you will need to update the MATLAB version to the one you just installed.
# Troubleshooting
Here are are collection of known issues.
# Why can't MATLAB find the packages I choose to install?
Read more
One known issue is that sometimes the latest MATLAB version compiled by some universities do miss some packages. Try to install a slightly older version. Contact us for assistance if this do not work.
# Can I install the code without sudo?
Read more
No, not in an easy way. Thus, either we have to install on home machines, or your can install these yourself on unmanaged iaas and blue machines where you get root. Contact us if you need MATLAB on your home machine.
# My product activation do not seem to work?
Read more
We need to open for traffic from your lab to your organization's license server. Contact us for network openings.
# Why is the live editor not working?
Read more
If MATLAB complains that Live editor is unable to run in the current system configuration it is important to check if libnss3 is installed.
dpkg -s libnss3
# If not installed run
sudo apt install libnss3
# Why is my MATLAB installation stuck?
Read more
If the installation was progressing and then stuck at some point it is important to check disk space df -h. In some cases /tmp directory may get filled up. We usually recommend setting alternative tmp before running install:
mkdir -p /mnt/scratch/tmp
export TMP=/mnt/scratch/tmp
export TEMP_DIR=/mnt/scratch/tmp
# MacOS - cannot copy-paste in MATLAB
Read more
If standard copy-pasting is not working for you, you might want to change your keyboard shortcuts settings in MATLAB
Matlab --> Preferences --> Keyboard --> Shortcuts --> select preffered keyboard
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