Virtualization

Virtualization is a good way for embedding binaries programs needed in a OpenMole workflow.

The problem with binaries programs is to ensure their portability for distribution and reproduceability.

The idea is to provide a bridge between OpenMole and a virtual machine where you can install your needed software. Then, this virtual machine can be easily deployed on target computer.

Qemu / Debian

We're making first attemps with Qemu and Debian GNU/Linux virtual machine. Qemu is a free software that provides good performance and is easily deployable on several systems. We have chosen Debian GNU/Linux for the guest operating system, for its well-known software repository that provides many scientific software already packaged.

How to build an Ubuntu VM

Ubuntu is a distribution derivated from Debian. Here is some notes for building your own VM image:

install qemu
get a fresh installed ubuntu VM (like this one)
start the VM with this command (adjust the local port 2223 to a free port on your machine, and yourVM.img to the filename of your image)
```
qemu -redir tcp:2223::22 -hda yourVM.img -nographic -monitor null -serial none
```
login into the booted VM (in the providen sample, the password is toor)
```
ssh -p 2223 root@localhost
```
install needed softwares with apt-get and maybe compile your non-prebuilt software
logout, close qemu, your VM is ready

Example with Octave

You can for example easily build a portable and reproductible workflow with your Octave scripts.

Let's install Octave (apt-get install octave-3.2) or download this prebuilt image.
Consider this classical script in file script.m:
```
printf ("Hello, world!\n");
```

You can now run your octave script with this workflow:

wd=new File(System.getProperty("user.dir")).getParent()+File.separator
import org.openmole.plugin.resource.virtual.VirtualMachineResource
import org.openmole.plugin.task.systemexec.VirtualSystemExecTask
octaveCmd = 'octave -qf script.m'
virtualMachine = new VirtualMachineResource(wd+"VMoctave.img", "root", "toor")
octaveTask = new VirtualSystemExecTask("octave", virtualMachine, octaveCmd)
octaveTask.addInFile(new File(wd+"script.m"))
exec = builder.buildMoleExecution(octaveTask)
exec.start()