Class Set-up

ENV 859 - Geospatial Data Analytics   |   Fall 2024   |   Instructor: John Fay  

We use a number of technologies, some new and some familiar, to access materials, run programs, and communicate. This page provides instructions for setting up and using these technologies.

Slack GitHub Virtual Machines ArcGIS Online
       

♦ Slack

We will be using Slack for class communications. I will always be checking my email and you are always welcome to email me, but Slack, which is somewhere between texting and emailing, is much more dynamic. It’s also very popular in the “real world” and a good platform to learn. And best of all, it’s basic features are fairly intuitive to grasp.

  • To access the class Slack workspace, open the link on the class Canvas page and accept the invitation to join. (Note: this link expires on Sept 9th. Contact me after this date or if this link is not working for you.)

  • After accepting the invitation, our Slack workspace can be accessed via this website: https://env859-fall2024.slack.com. Alternatively, you can download Slack apps for your local machine (if you are not on a campus machine.)

We will review the basic usage of Slack in class (or via recorded video), but feel free to ask if you have question or issues accessing or using the app.

♦ GitHub

We’ll discuss what GitHub is later in class, but you’ll need to set up your own account.

:point_right: Visit https://education.github.com/students to explore the benefits of the student developer pack!

♦ Setting up a Virtual Machine

We have the unique opportunity to preview a new technology Duke OIT is exploring: virtual machines with GPUs. These are higher powered than typical desktop machines and can process large datasets much more quickly. The drawback is that we will have to set these machines up from scratch – but actually this is not all that difficult and is a great experience. If you are going to stick in this field, knowing how to set up and install a machine from scratch is good skill to have.

1. Creating the VM

  • Navigate to Duke’s Virtual Computing Manager: https://vcm.duke.edu/

  • Log in. (Multifactor authentication may be required…)

  • Click Reserve a VM.

  • On the following page, you should see an option for “ENV859-Fall2024”. If you do, select that and agree to the terms of use and your virtual machine will be created for you. If you don't see this option, let me know...

    It may take some time - up to 30 minutes - for your virtual machine to build. Please don’t delete then re-request a machine while waiting for your machine to be built as this will just slow things down more. An email will be sent to you when the machine is ready to use. Remember that before you can remote desktop into the machine, you’ll need to be using a VPN connection.

    NOTE: I’ve heard reports that build times during peak periods have been in the hours! If you haven’t received an email stating your machine is ready, then its still building. Cancelling and restarting will only increase build times for everyone.

    Note the name of your machine, something like vcm-12345.vm.duke.edu. You can use this to access your machine via remote desktop. Or you can always return to https://vcm.duke.edu/ to log into your machine.

    Also note that VMs are set to power down every night. This is to conserve power. However, if you are likely to use your machine consecutive days or will have processes running over serval days, you may consider switching off the “Automatic power downs” option.

  • When your machine has been built, click the Remote Desktop button.

    You may wish to save instead of open the remote desktop vcm-XXXXX.vm.duke.edu.rdpfile. I recommend saving it to your desktop so that you’ll have an easy shortcut to your virtual machine.

    If you use a Mac, check out the directions to access your virtual machine here.

  • Once you have access, check for Windows Updates.

    If you get a “failed to connect” error, it’s possible that your machine is not finished being build. Wait a few more moments; if after 20 minutes or so you still cannot connect, seek help.

    You may get a warning stating “The publisher of this remote connection can’t be identified. Do you want to connect anyway.” That’s ok; check the “Don’t ask me again” and you won’t get this for this machine anymore.

  • Log in using your Duke NetID preceded by `WIN/` (e.g. WIN/jpfay) and your Duke password.

2. Installing base software using “chocolatey”

Skip this! These apps are already installed on your remote desktop!:smile:

  • Open Windows PowerShell as administrator

    • Right-click Windows PowerShell from the Windows Menu and select Run as Administrator

  • At the PowerShell prompt, type the following to install Google Chrome, Notepad++, and 7zip:

    choco install googlechrome notepadplusplus 7zip -y

    The script will fetch the installers and install them! You should see some icons on your desktop.

3. Installing ArcGIS Pro v.3.x

  • Open Chrome on your VM, and navigate to https://duke.is/ArcGISPro
  • First, download and install MS .NET Software Development Kit: windowsdesktop-runtime-8.0.7-win-x64.exe
  • Download the ArcGISPro_33_190016.exe file and run it.
    • Use the default destination folder, and click Next >.
    • When the file is finished extracting, keep the Launch the setup program. checked and hit Close.
    • Click Next > at the Welcome to the ArcGIS Pro Setup program…
    • Accept the master agreement…
    • Install for “Anyone using this computer (all users)”…
    • Accept the default destination folder…
    • Enable (or disable) the “ESRI User Experience Improvement program” and click Install
    • Click Yes when asked to allow the app make changes to your device.
    • After a few moments, ArcGIS Pro will be on your machine!
  • Start ArcGIS Pro and log in using your Enterprise account:
    • Select Enterprise login.
    • Specify dukeuniv.maps.arcgis.com as your organization’s URL.
    • Log in using your Duke NetID and password.
  • When started, navigate to Settings and install any available patches.
  • To save disk space on your VM, you can remove the ArcGISPro_33_190016.exe file as well as the ArcGIS Pro 3.x folder found in your Documents folder.

4. Mapping your drives

  • On the course main page, you’ll see a link to the Drive Map Script. On your virtual machine, download this file to your local machine and run it.

  • Check that you now have V: and Y: drives mapped.

♦ ArcGIS Online

By now, you’ve likely already logged into your Duke University ArcGIS Online Account: https://dukeuniv.maps.arcgis.com. If not, please do so, selecting Duke University when you log in and then authenticating via Duke’s standard Shibboleth log in. This will create your account.

Soon I will be sending out invitations to join the ENV859_F24 group. I will also enable various AGOL capabilities that are locked for standard Duke AGOL users. We will discuss these later in the course.