How To Get Work Done

This page is a combination of two old pages on how to get work done, along with some expanded content on how to get work done on personal computers and Duke's public dual-boot MACs. Please note - nothing on this page should cost any additional money to install! One quick note - to access the Duke system (whether ssh connection or mounting a drive) you either need to be on DukeBlue or have a VPN connection. If you are trying to log in or mount a drive and you keep getting permission denied or failure to connect, make sure you haven't been kicked off DukeBlue.

Connecting from Off Campus

If you are connecting from somewhere without DukeBlue access, you will need to install and connect using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. Instructions for doing that are below:

• Windows
• macOS

FALL 2020 AND BEYOND

There are new ways to get work done and we will work on those during EGR labs. Folks in EGR 103 in Fall of 2020 should not look at the items below as some of the processes are different from how EGR 103 is teaching things this semester.

Your Own Windows Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own Windows computer.

File Access

You should have Box Drive installed and a Box folder in your C:\Users\USER folder. See https://duke.app.box.com/services/browse/newest/box_drive for installation information. If you want your folder to continuously sync with the cloud, right-click the folder and make the folder available offline. To synchronize, you must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use MobaXterm - more information on that is at the MobaXterm page.

Using LaTeX

In Fall 2020 and beyond, we started using Overleaf to process LaTeX files. It is decidedly less complicated, though you do have to create a project and upload any necessary files to it.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your Box drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either install MATLAB or connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command). See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your Box drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB on your own computer.

Your Own MAC Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own MAC computer.

File Access

You should have Box Drive installed and a Box folder in your Finder. See https://duke.app.box.com/services/browse/newest/box_drive for installation information. If you want your folder to continuously sync with the cloud, right-click the folder and make the folder available offline. To synchronize, you must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use XQuartz and specifically its Terminal program - more information on that is at the X11 page. Note: For Mac users only - the very first time you open the terminal window, you need to type xhost + to tell your computer to allow incoming graphical windows.

To connect to the virtual Linux machines, simply open your terminal window and type

ssh -XY NetID@login.oit.duke.edu

where NetID is your NetID.

Using LaTeX

In Fall 2020 and beyond, we started using Overleaf to process LaTeX files. It is decidedly less complicated, though you do have to create a project and upload any necessary files to it.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your Box drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either install MATLAB or connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command). See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your Box drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB on your own computer.

Chromebooks

Duke is issuing Chromebooks to people who have computers being repaired right now. Chromebooks are excellent at what they do, which unfortunately does not include the ability to run most of the software for this class. The best bet here will be to create a virtual Windows machine with Duke and then use the Chromebook to connect to it.

Initial Steps

There are several initial steps to take to get a virtual machine reserved and running as well as to make it possible for your Chromebook to connect to it.

Cisco AnyConnect

If you are not on the Duke network, you will need to get Cisco AnyConnect from the Chrome Web Store. Once installed and initialized, make a new connection. You can give it whatever name you want ("Duke") seems appropriate and use vpn.duke.edu as the Server Address. After you have added the connection, you can click on the Chromebook settings (bottom right of the screen), click the drop-down box for VPN, and then click the connection you just named. You will need to have multifactor authentication. Note that a session can only last up to 24 hours.

Remote Desktop

You will need to install Remote Desktop 8 from the Chrome Web Store. This is the program that will actually make the connection to your virtual machine.

Making a Reservation

See VCM#Getting_Started for instructions on how to make a reservation. Your reservation will last for a semester and can be renewed.

Using Your VM with Chromebook

• Be sure you have an active AnyConnect connection
• Go to https://vcm.duke.edu/ and look at your virtual machine reservation by clicking the link to your virtual machine. If the "Power on" button is available, click it to turn your machine on. Once on, click the "Remote Desktop" link under General Information.
• Select "Show in folder" to see the file you just downloaded, then right-click the downloaded file, select "Open with...", and select "RD Client" -- if you have the AnyConnect working, after a bit the Remote Desktop program will ask for your name and/or password. Your name is "WIN\NetId" (where NetID is YOUR NetID, but without any @duke.edu) and the password is your password.
• From this point on, you get to use your virtual Windows machine the same way a person would use a Windows machine. Given that, you can go through the information on using a Windows Computer above.

Duke MACs Booted Into Windows

The Duke dual-boot MACs in Hudson and elsewhere have a Windows partition. See OIT's Locations and Hardware page for more information. There are also 8 dual-boot MACs Pratt's IT department has placed in Teer basement. As of 8/25/2020, not all of the software below has been installed and several of the public machines are to accessible. For Fall of 2020 you will generally need to have your own computer to do work.

PRIOR TO FALL 2020

Your Own Windows Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own Windows computer.

File Access

To mount your CIFS folder on your Windows computer, see the OIT page CIFS: How to Connect from Windows. This will allow you to mount your CIFS drive. You must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

• Notes:
  • For the first step, instead of what the instructions say, start the file explorer by clicking the yellow File Explorer icon at the bottom of the page; after that comes up, click "This PC" on the left side of the File Explorer. At the top of the screen there are three tabs - the middle one is "Computer" - click that. You can now click the Map Network Drive icon and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
  • For step 4, you only need the first part which is \\homedir.oit.duke.edu\users\N\NetID with N as the first letter of your NetID and NetID as your NetID

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

For Spring of 2021, you will not need to connect to the Duke Linux machines for any of Dr. G's classes. However, if you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu) for some other reason, you can use MobaXterm - more information on that is at the MobaXterm page.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks is a part of the MiKTeX package for Windows; you should install MiKTeX. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can install MATLAB. See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB.

Your Own MAC Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own MAC computer.

File Access

To mount your CIFS folder on your Windows computer, see the OIT page CIFS: How to Connect from Mac OS. This will allow you to mount your CIFS drive. You must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use XQuartz and specifically its Terminal program - more information on that is at the X11 page. Note: For Mac users only - the very first time you open the terminal window, you need to type xhost + to tell your computer to allow incoming graphical windows.

To connect to the virtual Linux machines, simply open your terminal window and type

ssh -XY NetID@login.oit.duke.edu

where NetID is your NetID.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks requires installation of MacTeX, followed by installation of TeXworks. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can install MATLAB. See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB.

Duke MACs Booted Into Windows

The Duke dual-boot MACs in Hudson and elsewhere have a Windows partition. See OIT's Locations and Hardware page for more information. There are also 8 dual-boot MACs Pratt's IT department has placed in Teer basement. As of 8/26/2018, not all of the software below has been installed.

This section covers how to get work done if you have logged into that partition.

File Access

Your CIFS folder should automatically be installed as a drive on This PC - just start the File Explorer (double click on the yellow folder a the bottom of the screen) and then select "This PC" from the list at left. Your drive should show up in "Network locations." If it does not, follow the instructions to Mount your drive via windows.

• Notes:
  • For the first step, instead of what the instructions say, start the file explorer by clicking the yellow File Explorer icon at the bottom of the page; after that comes up, click "This PC" on the left side of the File Explorer. At the top of the screen there are three tabs - the middle one is "Computer" - click that. You can now click the Map Network Drive icon and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
  • For step 4, you only need the first part which is \\homedir.oit.duke.edu\users\N\NetID with N as the first letter of your NetID and NetID as your NetID
  • If you logged into the Windows machine using Duke credentials - for example, you logged into a computer in Fitzpatrick B209 - you can skip steps 6-8 because the computer already knows you as your Duke self.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use MobaXterm - this should already be installed on the Windows partition. To find it, either go Start->File Transfer & Remote Access->MobaXterm Personal or simply type Moba in the Cortana search (accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen). From there, follow the instructions for Creating a Remote Connection.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks is already installed on the Windows partition; however, it is currently (23AUG2018) out of date and the version it has cannot install new packages. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

Currently, the Windows partition does not have Anaconda installed -- the version of Python it has is called IDLE and it is lacking many of the modules we will be using for class. To get around this you can install Anaconda on the Windows partition by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Install for "just me" and use all the default options. You do not need to install the Microsoft tools at the end. This process takes about 6 minutes to complete and, unfortunately, only forks for the computer you are sitting at for the session that is currently active. Once you log out, the next time you log in you will start with a clean slate.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can start MATLAB on the Windows partition. For the latter, either go to Start->MATLAB R2017a->MATLAB R2017a or simply type matlab in the Cortana search (accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen).