Installing Linux Ubuntu⌁

Two major options are available.

  1. A cloud-based solution like Digital Ocean or MVPS. They provide a virtual machines that you can create in seconds with just a few clicks, for a few euros/month.

  2. A computer running Linux at home.

Raspberry Pi⌁

I recommend using a Raspberry Pi (RPi) micro-computer, as it is the cheapest and most energy efficient solution. I currently host 10 simulated patients on a headless RPi3, without any monthly cost other than my broadband internet subscription. The price of a Raspberry Pi Zero is less than 10 EUR, and if you prefer a more robust solution a Raspberry Pi 4 starter kit including a charger and a preloaded SD card, it costs less than 100 euros.

You don't need to connect your RPi to a monitor, a keyboard or a mouse. Your installation won't even have a desktop interface. As soon as your linux computer is connected to your home network with LAN or WLAN, you will need a separate computer in order to login into your Linux computer remotely through the network.

Linux Ubuntu is completely free and comes with all the software you need. Ubuntu Server is a lightweight version, with no desktop environment. Here are the full instructions for installing Ubuntu Server on a Raspberry 2, 3 or 4.

All the steps are described above in detail, and it will also take you some time, grab a cup of ☕️ and be patient.

  1. Use the Raspberry Pi imager Tool to create the SD card with the onboard operating system

  2. Edit the network-config file so that your Rpi finds your WLAN

  3. Boot your Linux machine, (wait 3-4 minutes!)

  4. Locate it on your network, determine its IP address

  5. Your username is ubuntu and password ubuntu. Connect to your Rpi with a SSH client like Putty. You will be prompted to change your password on first login attempt.

  6. Create a regular new user with sudo privileges. and reboot.

When you finally login as the new user, remember to update/upgrade all packages, so that your fresh installation is up-to-date. In your linux terminal, type :

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

You are ready to download and deploy CGMSIM, yay ! 😅