FLUKA on Windows 10/ 11 using WSL

These scripts will set up and install FLUKA on Windows 10 or Windows 1 using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

The Windows Subsystem for Linux lets developers run GNU/Linux environment - including most command-line tools, utilities, and applications - directly on Windows, unmodified, without the overhead of a virtual machine.

1. Requirements

It requires Windows 10 (build: 16299 [2017 Fall update] or greater) and admin rights during installation.

2. Installation

Installation is different depending on the Windows version

2.1. Install Windows Subsystem for Linux in Windows 10 (WSL1)

2.1.1

Start a PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

When the command asks, reboot the PC to finalize the installation.

2.1.2. Install Ubuntu Linux from the Microsoft Store

In the Microsoft Store, search for Ubuntu and click on the Get button. The installation will start automatically.

2.1.3. Initialize Ubuntu

To initialize simply click Lauch in the Microsoft Store, or find Ubuntu in the Start Menu.

After a couple minutes it will ask for a new Linux username and password. They can be anything, as they are not related to your Windows credentials.

2.1.4. Legacy console error

Sometimes you can’t enter the new Linux username and password, and the following error message is appearing:

Unsupported console settings. In order to use this feature the legacy console must be disabled.

To solve this, right click on the Title bar, and select Properties. On the Options tab disable the Use Legacy Console option, and click OK. To apply the change you have to close Ubuntu

To restart the initialization, Ubuntu has to be reset. To do so search for Ubuntu in the Start Menu, right click on its icon, and select (More) App settings. In the new window click the Reset button. When the reset is complete close the settings window and restart Ubuntu. The initialization will start again, and now you will be able to enter the new Linux username and password.

2.2. Install Windows Subsystem for Linux in Windows 11 (WSL2)

Instructions available at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

2.2.1

Start a PowerShell or a Windows Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following command:

wsl –install

when prompted, reboot the PC to finalize the installation.

2.2.2

Find WSL in the search menu, launch it.

It will ask for a new Linux username and password. They can be anything, as they are not related to your Windows credentials.

2.4. Downloading the installation scripts

After setting up the Linux username and password, a Linux prompt appears, and you can run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/flukadocker/fluka_wsl.git

This will download the installation scripts from Github.

Switch to the directory containing the scripts:

cd fluka_wsl/

2.5. Run the main installation script

Run the installation script:

For Windows 11 /WSL2

./install.sh

For Windows 10 /WSL1

./install_wls1.sh

At the beginning of the installation you have to provide your Linux password to be able to run sudo commands.

If FLUKA needs to be downloaded, you will pe prompted for your FLUKA ID (fuid-xxxx), and password. If the FLUKA data file need to be downloaded, you will pe prompted for your FLUKA ID (fuid-xxxx), and password again.

The installation script will automatically do the following steps:

  1. Update itself from Github
  2. Update Ubuntu packages
  3. Install packages required by FLUKA and Flair
  4. Set up Ubuntu to be able to run FLUKA and Flair
  5. Check the latest version of FLUKA and Flair
  6. Download FLUKA and Flair, if necessary
  7. Install Flair
  8. Compile FLUKA
  9. Clean up Ubuntu installation

2.6. Close Ubuntu

To finalize the installation close Ubuntu.

2.7. Install Xming

Install the Public Domain Version of Xming from:

http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/

3. Running FLUKA

3.1. Start Xming

Search for Xming in the Start Menu and launch it.

3.2. Start Ubuntu

Search for Ubuntu in the Start Menu and launch it.

3.3. Run FLUKA and Flair

FLUKA is ready to run from the command line, or you can start Flair with the command:

flair

3.4. Working directory

The hard drives of the PC are available in the

/mnt/

folder. You can work directly there, no need to copy any file into your Linux home directory.

4. Updates

4.1. Ubuntu

To keep your Ubuntu up to date regurarly run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

4.2. FLUKA and Flair

When a new version of FLUKA or Flair is released simply rerun the installation script. It will take care of updating FLUKA and Flair. After the update Ubuntu needs to be restarted, to finalize the changes.

5. Errors during installation or update

If there is a problem during installation or an update, you can try to delete the ~/.fluka/ folder and the downloaded FLUKA / Flair packages in the ~/fluka_wsl/ folder. After this, rerun the installation script. If the problem still presists, please report it on the FLUKA mailing list attaching the ~/fluka_wsl/install.log file.

As final solution you can completely reset Ubuntu.