Solved Installing OpenSource Sage Mathematical Software for Win7 Pro 64-bit

[pete barnes]

I want to install this Sage Mathematica-type software on my PC (Win7 Pro 64-bit) but I am not sure whether it is available in a package that will run on my PC. First, I read the installation instructions for the Windows download and it seems to indicate that you must run it in a VM. Is that correct?

The Windows install download comes as a *.ova file. What kind of file is that? I don't know if I even have any wasy to open or run that file. Has anyone installed this software? Is it a good alternative to the exorbitantly-priced Mathematica software?

Here is a link to the software for reference:

Sage: Open Source Mathematics Software

Sage Download - microsoft_windows


Thanks
Pete B

 

[Kari]

Pre-made virtual machines are called appliances. The Open Virtualization Format OVF standard uses the .ova extension (Open Virtual Appliance) for distribution of appliances.

If your Sage comes as an ova file, it means it can be imported as a virtual machine to standard virtualization platforms like VirtualBox or VMware. I suggest you download and install the free Oracle VirtualBox, download the Sage ova and simply import it to VirtualBox.

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Kari

 

[pete barnes]

Thanks for the reply, that is what I surmised. Can this be done using instead the Win 7 VM, which I have installed to run WinXP Mode for such applications as VB 6 and VC++ 6? Or do I specifically need to use the Oracle or VMware VM you describe? Do you know wheteher the Sage package is worthwhile installing? And does that mean the Sage software is not available for 64-bit machines under Windows? I am just not sure if it would be easy to use the VM you describe from a Win 7 environment.

Thanks for the info

Pete B

 

[Kari]

Can this be done using instead the Win 7 VM, which I have installed to run WinXP Mode for such applications as VB 6 and VC++ 6?

I assume you mean Windows Virtual PC with "Win 7 vm", the virtualization platform needed to run Windows XP Mode?

Windows Virtual PC is a good and reliable platform to run Windows (XP and later) virtual machines but as the integration features only work on Windows virtual machines, it's not a good solution to run other virtual operating systems.

Or do I specifically need to use the Oracle or VMware VM you describe?

I recommend you use VirtualBox, based on that Sage seems to prefer it and has quite clear and precise instructions in using the Sage appliance on VirtualBox (SageAppliance - Sage Wiki).

Do you know wheteher the Sage package is worthwhile installing?

I have absolutely no clue. I do not use any mathematical special programs nor do I know them in general and Sage in particular.

And does that mean the Sage software is not available for 64-bit machines under Windows? I am just not sure if it would be easy to use the VM you describe from a Win 7 environment.

It is available for Windows machines but as it seems to run on its own modified operating system, it needs to be installed as a virtual appliance.

Using virtual machines is exactly as easy as to use the same operating system on a physical computer.

Kari

 

[pete barnes]

Perhaps I did not express my concerns about VM problems clearly. When I used VMware in the past, I agree it had no problems running Linux under Windows, but it was very awkward ro get it to interface with the PC hardware directly in a way that could be accessed form Windows (for example, I had to use a virtusl HDD, and the interface to the network connection was complicated) whereas the Windows VM machine is very well integrated with the system hardware, which is why I asked about it.

But you have convinced me to try your suggestion. I will install VirtualBox and do as you suggest, I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.

Pete B

 

[Kari]

Perhaps I did not express my concerns about VM problems clearly. When I used VMware in the past, I agree it had no problems running Linux under Windows, but it was very awkward ro get it to interface with the PC hardware directly in a way that could be accessed form Windows (for example, I had to use a virtusl HDD, and the interface to the network connection was complicated) whereas the Windows VM machine is very well integrated with the system hardware, which is why I asked about it.

You expressed your concerns very clearly, I tried to be as clear with my response: If you want to run Sage, you need to get the virtual appliance and install it as a virtual machine, whatever you think of virtual machines and virtualization.

Kari

 

[Kari]

BTW, out of interest I downloaded the Sage appliance and imported it to VirtualBox.

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Seems to be built on a totally normal Fedora Linux. When the Sage vm is running, you can access it also from your Windows 7 host using any browser giving the local host address http://localhost:8000/

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[pete barnes]

I seem to have lost my reply, so...

Yes, I followed your advice and everything went well, very smoth and quick. I now have Sage running.

Thanks again for your help

Pete B

 

[Kari]

You are welcome .