Installation of Matlab at UIC

Downloading and Installing MATLAB

1. Go to http://www.uic.edu and search for "WebStore"
2. Once you get to the webstore, select "Personal Purchase" and "login"
3. When logging in you must give your full UIC e-mail address, e.g. astudent@uic.edu
4. Next search for "Matlab" in the product search box. Select a delivery method, add it to your cart, and proceed to checkout.
5. On your order receipt you want to look for several important items:
   1. The license file is the top download item. You need this file regardless of your platform, and you need to remember where you download it to. ( You will have to select it later on in the installation process. )
   2. You also need to download an appropriate version of the software for your particular hardware platform. I recommend getting the most recent version, but beware that the labs may have an older version installed.
   3. There is a very long number called the file installation key, which you will need to "type in" during the installation process. Obviously you want to cut-and-paste this, so you may want to keep your browser open to this page while doing the installation. ( Otherwise cut-and-paste the number into some text file where you can get at it later. ) The number you need begins after the version type, e.g. after "2015a:"
   4. Click on the line that says "Click here for Matlab installation instructions" for the rest of the instructions on how to install Matlab.
6. Note that you can always get back to your order receipt by logging into the WebStore and selecting Order History.
7. Follow the instructions, and note these special points:
   1. Step 6 requires the file installation key, which is that really big number you want to cut-and-paste.
   2. In step 8 you can decide whether to install the entire Matlab package, or only some of it. If you have enough room, I recommend installing the whole thing, with all the toolboxes. If you pick and choose, please include the Image Processing Toolbox, as this course often makes use of that toolbox.
   3. In step 9 you need to browse to the license file that you downloaded earlier.
   4. Item 12 says the installation may take several minutes. THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. Depending on your connection, it may take several hours, or overnight. ( This is AFTER you have downloaded and unzipped the necessary files. )

   

8. The last step of the Matlab installation instructions points to the VPN page. Follow that link ( and a few more ) to get to the VPN download and instructions.

Downloading and Installing Virtual Private Network, VPN

• In order to use the free version of Matlab using the UIC campus license from off-campus machines, you must first install and launch the Virtual Private Network, VPN software. This makes your home computer look like it is on campus for the purposes of license verification.
• As of June 2015 UIC has moved to Viscosity OpenVPN, which is freely available to all UIC students, faculty, and staff.
• To get the VPN software, follow the link at the end of the instructions for installing Matlab ( see above. )
• Order and download Viscosity VPN from the WebStore, similar to what you did for Matlab.
• On your order, click on the "installation instructions" and follow them.
  • Note in particular the section on "Configure Viscosity". This step customizes your installation with your personal access information, which will make your life a lot easier. This step only needs to be done once.