environment.md

+# Software Environments
+
+This page detail the various software environments available for use in CDC, where the primary aim is to support development using GNU Radio. It describes how to access these environments outside of EDS12 and how to install them on your personal computer should you so desire. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you encounter any environment related problems.
+
+## FEIT GPU Desktop
+
+The same FEIT Desktop used on the lab computers in EDS12 is accessible to you outside of workshop through myUniApps. To access the environment:
+
+1. Open a browser and navigate to [myUniApps](https://myuniapps.unimelb.edu.au)
+2. Login with your university credentials
+3. If you wish, install Citrix Receiver on your personal computer, otherwise click *Use Lightweight Version*
+4. Navigate to Desktops
+5. Open a session by selecting *FEIT GPU Desktop*
+6. Login to the Windows desktop using your university credentials
+
+Obviously, you are not able to interface with the SDR hardware when accessing the remote desktop, but you can much of your software development.
+
+> **Important Note:** The FEIT GPU Desktop is **non-persistent** – locally saved data may be lost when you log out. Make sure to save any files you wish to keep to another location, e.g., your OneDrive account. 
+
+### Ubuntu Linux VM
+
+The main environment we will be using is an Ubuntu Linux virtual machine (VM) that we can use to run GNU Radio. This option will allow more stable usage of the Nuand bladeRF SDR hardware that will be the focus of the design project. Additionally, extending GNU Radio functionality through the creation and compilation of C++ signal processing blocks is straightforward under Linux.
+
+On the FEIT GPU Desktop, the Ubuntu Linux VM can be accessed as follows.
+
+1. Open File Explorer and navigate to `C:\VirtualBox\ELEN90089`
+2. Doubleclick `Ubuntu20.04_ELEN90089.vbox` open VirtualBox
+3. Click the start button in VirtualBox to launch the Ubuntu Linux VM.
+4. Login to Ubuntu using the following credentials
+username: cdc
+password: unimelb
+5. To open Python or GRC, first open a bash shell by clicking on the Terminal icon in the dock.
+
+The Python interpreter can be launched as before.
+
+```
+$ python3
+```
+
+GRC can be similarly launched from the command line.
+
+```
+$ gnuradio-companion
+```
+
+## Anaconda
+
+Anaconda is a distribution of the Python and R programming languages available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Both Python and GNU Radio can be accessed on the Windows FEIT GPU Desktop through an Anaconda environment configured for CDC.
+
+1. Navigate to Start Menu > Ananconda3 (64-bit) > Anaconda Powershell Prompt
+2. At the resulting command prompt, activate the ELEN90089 conda environment
+```
+> conda activate elen90089_2021_03_14
+```
+3. You can then launch either the Python interpreter
+```
+> python
+```
+or GNU Radio Companion
+```
+> gnuradio-companion
+```
+
+### MATLAB / Simulink
+
+Support packages for accessing Both the Ettus USRP and
+
+**MATLAB R2018b** (not R2020b)
+
+## Installation on Your Personal Computer
+
+The following details how to install on your personal computer the environments supporting GNU Radio.
+
+> Please be advised installation on a personal computer is optional and you install at your own risk. I may not be able to help resolve any issues you encounter.
+
+### Ubuntu VM
+
+The Ubuntu VM used in workshop can be run on your personal computer by installing VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualisation tool supported on Windows, macOS, or Linux. To set up your computer to run the ELEN90089 Ubuntu VM:
+
+- Download and install the latest version of [VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)
+- To use the SDR hardware (USRP B210 or bladeRF 2.0) with your personal computer, add USB 3.0 support by installing the [VirtualBox Extension Pack](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)
+- Download the ELEN90089 environment files (Version X - uploaded X XXX 2022):\
+[TBD]() (X KB)\
+[TBD]() (X GB)
+- Doubleclick on the `.vbox` file to import the VM into VirtualBox.
+
+> **Note:** The `.vdi` file is large (12.4 GB!!!). Make sure you are on a good, unmetered internet connection before downloading.
+
+The `.vbox` configuration file provided has minimal system settings. Depending on the resources available on your personal computer you may want to increase these for better performance.
+
+> Settings > System > Motherboards > Base Memory
+
+> Settings > System > Processor > Processor(s)
+
+### Conda
+
+Another option for using GNU Radio in the workshops is through the conda  environment on the FEIT GPU Desktop image. Should you wish to install the same environment on your Windows, macOS, or Linux personal computer, you can follow these instructions. First decide whether you want to install Anaconda or its lightweight version Miniconda. Anaconda has a graphical environment management tool and automatically downloads 250+ packages. Miniconda is command line only and will download packages as needed for your created environments.
+
+- [Installing Anaconda](https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/index.html#)
+- [Installing Miniconda](https://docs.conda.io/projects/continuumio-conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/index.html)
+
+Next, download the following YAML environment file specifying the packages in the ELEN90089 conda environment:
+
+- [elen90089_2021_03_14.yml]() (*uploaded DD MMM YYYY*)
+
+> **Note:** This configuration file may be updated over the semester as new package requirements are identified.
+
+Start a conda terminal or command prompt and create the ELEN90089 environment using the downloaded configuration file.
+```
+> conda env create -f <ELEN90089 YML file>
+```
+You can now activate the environment and use GNU Radio as in the workshops.
+```
+> conda activate ELEN90089  # activate ELEN90089 environment
+> gnuradio-companion        # to start GNU Radio companion
+```
+Should you wish to remove this environment you can use the following command.
+```
+> conda remove --name ELEN90089 --all
+```