FEM2 – Online Teaching – preparation for the Exercise

In FEM2 the exercise is based on python code and visualization of results in Paraview running in a
Linux environment. Normally the exercises are done with laptops from the institute, where
everything is already set up. Since the setup is quite complex and makes use of now outdated and
therefor no longer available python packages, as well as custom packages, we decided to make use
of virtual machines. A virtual machine is a simulated computer running on your computer. We
prepared a linux mint system where everything is set up. You just need to install the freeware Open-
Source program virtualbox to run it on your computer.

Installation of virtualbox and import of the prepared system

1) Download virtualbox 6.1 from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads for your

appropriate (host-)system.
2) Install the program using the installer. USB-Drive and Network may be useful if you like to
use virtualbox for other purposes, but are not needed for FEM2.
3) Download FEM2_mint.ova (2.8GB) from https://cloudstorage.tu-
braunschweig.de/getlink/fiLTAYu15zwSDN2SoYyVBbcS/FEM2_Mint.ova.
4) Run “Oracle VM Virtual Box Manager” and select “import” in the toolbar.
5) Select FEM2_mint.ova and click continue.
6) If you have less than 8GB RAM on your computer, lower the value for the virtual machine’s
RAM to around half your computer’s RAM.
7) Change the base directory to your desired hard drive. Note, that the imported VM uses 7GB
disk space.
8) Make sure “import harddrives as vdi” (maybe translated in other words) is checked.
9) The other options can stay as they are.
10) Click import and wait for completion.

Using the VM

1) Run “Oracle VM Virtual Box Manager”.

2) Now you can select the VM called FEM2_mint in the list and run it.
3) Log in as iflstudent. The password is iflstudent aswell.
4) Once you are logged in you can change the display resolution to higher values using
“display”->”virtual display 1” of the virtualbox Toolbars.
5) Now you can do the exercise just like you would with the institutes laptops.
6) When finished, shut the system down.
7) Now you can close Oracle VM Manager.