MATLAB

What’s Available

Matlab is a data processing and display utility/language that is widely used in scientific circles. A number of principle investigators (PIs) at RSMAS jointly own a networked license (a.k.a. Concurrent license) for Matlab. Their students and research staff can use this license to run Matlab on their Linux, Windows, and Mac computers. This networked license permits up to 40 simultaneous users to access Matlab and its associated toolboxes. This only works locally on the RSMAS network (including wireless); you can't use it from home or on the road. These are only for research, they are not available for class use.

We also own 20 stand-alone licenses (a.k.a. Group licenses) that allow a single instance of Matlab to be installed on a computer so it can run on that computer without access to the networked license server on the RSMAS net. Stand-alone licenses are available at additional cost and are currently all in use; they come available on a first-come first-serve basis each July if the current holders do not wish to renew them. You can buy your own private license from Matlab if you must have a stand-alone license and all of the stand-alones are claimed. Contact Grant for information on this.

Students (only) can buy an ~$100 version of Matlab they can install on their own computer. See limitiations and information at http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_version/index.html. It used to be said that this was available at the UM bookstore; I don’t know if that is still the case. This is not part of the RSMAS license and RCF has no experience with the student package.

R2010b is the current version of matlab. Older versions are kept on-line as long as there is need. They can be accessed from your computer as outlined below.

We have the following toolboxes, which provide Matlab functions for various data-processing needs:

Fuzzy Toolbox
Image Toolbox
MAP Toolbox
Neural Network Toolbox
Optimization Toolbox
Signal Toolbox
Symbolic Toolbox
Spline Toolbox
Statistics Toolbox
Wavelet Toolbox

See the Matlab website for information on these toolboxes.

There is a RSMAS Matlab mailing list. Subscribe to it by sending (empty) email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Use this list to communicate with other Matlab users at RSMAS. The computer facility staff knows almost nothing about using Matlab; this is your best local source for people/help on Matlab. It is also where all administrative announcements for Matlab are issued. If you use the RSMAS Matlab license, you should be on this mailing list.

Linux Networked Matlab Setup

Only if your PI is enrolled in the program, you may install Matlab on Linux/Unix nodes as follows (as the root user). Contact RCF for installation key and instructions.

cp /etc/fstab /tmp/fstab.$$
echo 'krystal:/matlab /matlab nfs ro,intr 0 0' >> /etc/fstab 
mkdir /matlab
mount /matlab

This mounts the installed Linux Matlab area from krystal on your computer on directory /matlab.

To run Matlab issue:
         /matlab/VERSION/matlab/bin/matlab

where VERSION is R20##x (most recent is /matlab/R2010b). Run the most recent version unless there is some specific reason to do otherwise. The most recent version can also be found as /matlab/new/..

Set this up as an alias to make command entry easier, e.g.:

echo alias matlab=/matlab/new/bin/matlab >> ~/.bashrc

NOTE: There are a number of other older versions of Matlab that are available as /matlab/VERSION (e.g. /matlab/matlab11/ or /matlab/R2006a/) that can be used to run old versions with commands like

>/matlab/matlab11/matlab/bin/matlab or /matlab/R2006a/bin/matlab

Computers with out-of-date operating systems may require an older version.

Windows Networked Matlab Setup

Only if your PI is enrolled in the program, you may install Matlab on Windows nodes as follows:

Contact RCF for installation key and instructions.

With My Computer or Windows Explorer, open the Matlab folder, \\krystal1\matlab To authenticate, use AMAZON\username, where username is your email account name (usually flastname); your password is your UM id (your "C number") unless you have changed it in your shared folder setup. If your computer can’t find \\krystal, try \\krystal1.rsmas.miami.edu\matlab

Go to the folder for the Matlab version you wish to run. Use the most recent version, currently R2010a, unless there is some specific reason to go with an older version.

Drag the icon representing Matlab to your desk top. Right click the icon, select "Properties", and set/change the Start in: directory to be a folder on your machine. I use c:\matlab; the folder must already exist on your computer to be used here.

Periodically, versions are updated. If a version update is announced and you wish to use the updated version, you must delete the icon on your desktop, drag a new copy from the \\krystal\matlab\VERSION folder, reset the Start in: directory as above.

NOTE: Windows 7 works with the recent versions of Matlab.
   Start -> Computer
   go to \\krystal1\matlab   (enter that in the address window at the top)
      if that does not work, try \\krystal1.rsmas.miami.edu\matlab.
   Username is AMAZON\your-username    where your-username is usually your firstinitiallastname (e.g. jbrown for john brown).
    Password is initally set up as your UM-id, e.g. C12345678 - the same as your Shared-folder/Wireless password.
    You should run R2010b or greater to work with Windows 7.   Drag that matlab icon to your desktop and edit the Start in: property as above.

MacOSX Networked Matlab Setup

Only if your PI is enrolled in the program, you may install Matlab on Mac.

You should use R2012a; earlier is buggy.  It should  be installed locallyon your MAC to work with our local License server.  Contact RCF for installation key and instructions.

NOTE: R2007b is the last version that works on older "PowerPC" Macs. R2008a and later require an Intel Mac processor. R2009a requires MacOS 10.5.5 or later.  R2010a is the last version that will be available for 32 bit Intel processer. R2010b and later require a 64 bit Intel processor and is the last version that can be run directly on a Mac from the NFS mounted software. 

Contact RCF for information on running these older versions.

Installation of Software on Your Computer

If you have paid for a stand-alone copy of Matlab, you can install a local copy of Matlab on your laptop or desktop computer.  RCF will set up a Matlab.com license account for you and send you the access and installation information.  Stand-alone Matlab works anywhere, whether you have a network connection or not.  The license is for a single copy of Matlab on a single computer.  You can change it to another computer, but you have to jump thru hoops at your matlab.com license account to set it up.  Contact RCF for setup instructions.  Let us know what operating system you are using.

You can also install a local copy of Matlab on your laptop that may run a bit faster than the Networked setup (above) if you have a slow wireless connection.  It generally makes little difference with a wired connection. It will ONLY work when the computer is active on the RSMAS network.  You will need to be running VPN (https://my.rsmas.miami.edu/vpn) to access the Matlab license server with wireless.   You do not need a stand-alone license for this setup.  Contact RCF for setup instructions.  Let us know what operating system you are using.

Participating PIs

All PIs pay a single annual fee of $95/year for support and updates (2011/2012) which covers themselves and their research staff. The 20 stand-alone licenses currently each cost $250/year. Those who currently hold stand-alone licenses get the first option to renew them each year.  Any that are not renewed are available to participants by lottery; there are not usually any available. This software is for use only in RSMAS research programs; it is not available for class use. To join this program, contact the RCF.

—Grant 07/2011

gbasham@rsmas.miami.edu, 305-361-4026