USPAS Computing Resources
Virtual Desktops via Amazon WorkSpaces
A virtual, cloud-based desktop (known as a WorkSpace) can be provided as a common framework to allow computer simulations and exercises to be carried out during the course. This provides a standardized environment of software configuration for all students and instructors, while also relieving the need to install large, complex, and/or licensed software on users’ personal laptops. WorkSpaces are available in Windows and Linux, and are accessed over the Internet via a small client app that is installed on the user’s laptop.
- One WorkSpace account, per person, can be provided. Accounts cannot be shared.
- Can be Windows or Linux but not both. Mac/OSX is not available.
- Accessible via a simple-to-install client App that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux based systems.
- Free and licensed software (when activated) is provided via a standard image that can be tuned on advance request for class needs.
- Licensed software must be requested well in advance of the class start date for activation.
- Standard system parameters are roughly equivalent to one modest desktop computer. Parameters can be upgraded for special needs requiring more computer capacity. Teaching teams are encouraged to keep needed computational resources modest in USPAS educational exercises: avoid high-resolution simulations unless such is necessary to highlight important points.
- Accounts can be provided well in advance of the session for instructors to try out. Accounts will remain available for approximately one week after the session to allow data to be removed and will then be discontinued. Student accounts will be provided approximately one week before the session.
- Accounts should be promptly activated when provided by the USPAS to avoid account enables timing out.
- We strongly recommend testing procedures in advance, including issues linked to data transfer and any assignment turn-ins.
- There is no built-in way to distribute files to student WorkSpaces. Teaching teams are encouraged to use DropBox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. to share files with their students. All of which are free and easily accessible from a web browser within their WorkSpace environment.
Operating System: |
Windows 10 |
Amazon Linux 2 (RedHat/CentOS based)
or
Ubuntu 22.04
|
Standard Specs: (additional resources available upon request) |
4 vCPU 16Gb RAM 80Gb Root Volume, 50Gb User Volume |
4 vCPU 16Gb RAM 80Gb Root Volume, 50Gb User Volume |
Free software available upon request: |
ABCI Astra FEMM gnuplot LibreOffice (OpenSource MS Office Suite alternative) LTspiceXVII madx Matlab (30-day free trial) Ghostscript/view Miniforge (python) MolFlow OptiMX Poisson Superfish Qucs R-Project
|
None |
Licensed Software: (Contact uspas@fnal.gov to have any of these or additional software activated. Note: Icons may be present on desktop even when not activated.) |
CST Microwave Studio IDL VM QuickField Simion
|
None |
Additional Software: |
Individual accounts have administrator privileges under windows or linux AWS. So you are free to download and install any additional software needed. |
Notes:
Python tools including Jupyter notebooks, numpy, scipy, matplotlib, etc are commonly employed in many USPAS classes. These tools are provided under AWS Windows via mini-forge which provides the standard (OpenSource) conda utility used to install a wide variety of OpenSource Python tools. For most purposes, miniforge should be equivalent to miniconda and can be thought of as free versions of Anaconda (paid software with some extensions) that also includes the conda (OpenSource) installer.
MS Office is not provided under our standard AWS Windows distribution since it is licensed software. Many students should have access to versions on their personal laptops, but it cannot be guaranteed. AWS Windows provides LibreOffice OpenSource equivalents for MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Free GoogleOffice cloud equivalents can also be employed and accessed via a browser interface. It is strongly recommended to test all software equivalents for MS Office applications.
AWS Linux is provided without installs since it tends to be used by those classes more specifically tuned software requirements and Linux has extensive package managers that are well-integrated with OpenSource software (including Python tools via mini-forge or other pathways).
[SAMPLE Windows 10 Desktop]