The Linux operating system lends itself nicely to the Hub platform and tool sets. However, Microsoft Windows is still the most widely used in nearly all industries. For research heavy industries, like nano technology or genetics, Linux is the main operating system of choice; but for industries like aerospace, manufacturing, civil engineering, and agriculture, Windows remains the most common operating system. In these industries many of their software tool sets are not command line based. Most have their own GUI and rely more on the systems GPU unit. This poses a great issue when expanding the Hub platform to meet the needs of these industries.

In 2013 the cdmHub team (Composites, Design & Manufacturing Hub) at Purdue University began working on the task of implementing Windows based tools into their hub platform. Starting in 2014 cdmHub partnered with an outside software development firm, Incubed, in developing this technology.

This session will cover topics such as the open source and industry based software used to accomplish this task, the cost and difficulties in virtualizing the Windows operating system, the infrastructure needed to support such a system, comparisons of running Linux and Windows tools side by side, integrating Windows in the current HUBzero platform, and some simple code examples on certain critical components of the system.

Christopher Nuland graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Computer Science in 2012, his focus is in Software Engineering and Systems Programming. Christopher started his engineering career working on mobile applications for iOS and Android, with a published library of over 14 apps that he has either developed or managed. In 2013 his focus shifted to virtualized and cloud based systems which led to his involvement with HUBzero. He currently is the product manager for cdmHub, a hub focused on composite materials. He is married to his wife, Melissa, and they currently reside in West Lafayette, Indiana, both enjoy cycling, hiking, kayaking, basically any outdoor activity!

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Christopher Joseph Nuland (2014), "A Multi OS Hub Approach: Integrating the Windows Operating System Into the Hub," https://help.hubzero.org/resources/1245.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. hubbub
2. hubbub2014