IDL (Interactive Data Language) is one of the more commonly used data analysis and visualisation packages in the Climatic Research Unit. Due to the cost of IDL, the Unit has limited licenses.

How to use CRU's IDL licenses

Using IDL on UNIX with EXCEED on PC/WINDOWS

Tim Osborn's IDL library

• Floating license
  • Current version: IDL5.4
  • This license has a maintenance contract, so we can access technical support and the version will be updated when new ones are released.
  • This is a multi-platform license, for WINDOWS and UNIX.
    
    
  • Using the PC/WINDOWS version:
    • See Mike Salmon if you want to run it on your PC under WINDOWS.
    
    
  • Using the UNIX version:
    
    
    • The UNIX version of this license is only available on crua6.cru.uea.ac.uk.
    • To access IDL on crua6, log on to crua6 and issue the command:
      source ~f055/idlsetup_unix.job
      
    • If you plan to use IDL regularly, then you can put the above command into your ~/.cshrc.mine file, so that it always sets up IDL each time you log on.
    • Having issued the above command, just type idl to start an IDL session.
    
    
  • The license allows a maximum of number of sessions, which depends upon the mix and UNIX and PC/WINDOWS sessions (PC/WINDOWS are "cheaper"):

    Maximum number of simultaneous sessions
    UNIX	PC/WINDOWS	TOTAL
    6	0	=6
    5	1	=6
    4	3	=7
    3	5	=8
    2	6	=8
    1	8	=9
    0	10	=10

  • Every session you open takes up another slot on the license.
  • Do not leave idle sessions on -- always exit when you have finished, to free up the license slot for another user.
  • If there are no license slots free, then you will be offered two choices: either wait in a queue for the next available license, or run IDL in "demo mode" (which has limits on output of figures and will stop abruptly after 7 minutes).
  • See IDL usage for a record of how often new IDL sessions have been prevented due to the license being full.
  • Type idlusers to see a list of people currently using IDL. You should be able to see if anyone is running multiple sessions. If there are no free licenses, then start idl, choose to wait in the queue for the next available license, and then go ask anyone running multiple sessions to stop one.
  • If you open multiple sessions, then be aware that people may come and ask you to stop one, if there are no free licenses.

• Node-locked license
  • Current version: IDL5.0.3
  • This license is no longer supported, so no updates will be provided.
  • This license is for UNIX only, and is tied to crua4.cru.uea.ac.uk.
  • Most IDL programs are compatible between the two licenses, but note that if you use some of the newer features in the "floating license" then they may not work on this older "node-locked license", and also note that if you use IDL "SAVE" files for storing intermediate results from the newer version, you won't be able to "RESTORE" them in this older version.
    
    
    • To access IDL on crua4, log on to crua4 and issue the command:
      source ~f055/idlsetup_unix.job
      
    • If you plan to use IDL regularly, then you can put the above command into your ~/.cshrc.mine file, so that it always sets up IDL each time you log on. This is the same command as for the newer crua6 IDL license, so whichever Alpha you log into, it should make the appropriate version of IDL available.
    • Having issued the above command, just type idl to start an IDL session.
    
    
  • This license is limited to six simultaneous users. Each user may open as many sessions as they like (but crua4 has limited memory and processor speed so open too many and it may run slower!).