Ubuntu Installation/Setup

There are several ways to run the Ubuntu operating System.

D-term 2016 will be running Ubuntu 14.04 and ROS Indigo.

Dual Booting

This method is intended to keep your files and Operating System intact. (It is possible to wipeout your OS and files. Please Backup Everything before proceeding)

Dual booting allows Ubuntu to have full access to your PC's hardware and allows you to keep your primary OS. Dual booting is the most complicated way as far as setup is concerned.

If you decide to remove Ubuntu after this course, do not format the partition - make a windows recovery disk first. If this comes too late, you can use HBCD

Step 1: Use the Windows Partition tool to shrink your hard drive. Do not format the blank space (Minimum of 10GB required, 20GB recommended)

Step 2: Create a flash drive or obtain an ISO of Ubuntu 14.04 (under "Desktop image" at the top of the page, choose the first or second link, depending on your computer. There is a second "Desktop image" category, with links for an older version of Ubuntu).

Step 3: Install Ubuntu alongside Windows by first booting to the flash drive, and then following the install dialog.

Step 4: Setup ROS and other software you would like.

Eclipse Note:

Do not use apt-get eclipse. Follow the instructions here. Only use catkin, ignore rosbuild.

Virtual Machine

Easiest and safest to setup, but depending on the PC, may or may not run effectively. Running 2 Operating Systems, Gazebo (simulator) and Rviz (visulizations) is very graphics card, RAM, and processor-intense. The minimum recommended system requirements are an I5 or equivalent processor (CPU benchmark of 2500+), 4GB of RAM, and a reasonable graphics card.

1. Download and install VMWare Player.VMware workstation player Free for non commercial use

2. Download the Ubuntu ISO 14.04 file (under "Desktop image" at the top of the page, choose the first or second link, depending on your computer. There is a second "Desktop image" category, with links for an older version of Ubuntu).

3. Use the Virtual system to start a new virtual machine and install Ubuntu by selecting the Ubuntu ".iso" file and following the on screen instructions. Allocate 30 gb of disk space for Ubuntu.

Important note: depending on your configuration, you may encounter trouble where a Turtlebot is unable to ping the IP address of your VM. If this happens, you need to set your VM to use bridged networking. In VMware Player, power off the virtual machine and go to "Options" or "Edit Settings". Select "Network Adapter" on the Hardware tab, and then make sure "Bridged" is selected under "Network connection". If you're using different virtual machine software, the menus may look different, but you should be able to find "bridged networking" in the options.

4. Setup ROS and other software you would like.

If you use the default ISO from ubuntu.org or ubuntu.cs.wpi.edu, you must create a new virtual machine then install the OS (Ubuntu) and all the associated software (ROS etc).

5. If you use the WPI-Ubuntu-ROS Virtual machine image you will only need to open and boot the virtual machine using VMware. The default password is "turtlebot". The virtual machine images are only available on campus and are roughly 5.5GB.

Eclipse Note:

Do not use apt-get eclipse. Follow the instructions here. Only use catkin, ignore rosbuild.

Primary Operating System

This involves removing your current operating system and all files and replacing your current OS with Ubuntu.

This is the best way if you are comfortable moving to Ubuntu or are dedicating the PC to your robot project. Most people will not do this.

Step 1: Create a flash drive or obtain an ISO of Ubuntu 14.04 (under "Desktop image" at the top of the page, choose the first or second link, depending on your computer. There is a second "Desktop image" category, with links for an older version of Ubuntu).

Step 2: Install Ubuntu by first booting to the flash drive, and then following the install dialog. This will remove all files and your Operating system permanently.

Step 3: Setup ROS and other software you would like.

Eclipse Note:

Do not use apt-get eclipse. Follow the instructions here. Only use catkin, ignore rosbuild.