Common Questions and Answers

What versions of MATLAB do you support?

The latest version is MATLAB R14 (also known as MATLAB v.7). As of June 2005 we are supporting MATLAB R12 (v.6), MATLAB R13 (v6.5), and MATLAB R14 (v.7).

How do I find my computer's hostname?

Good question. Depends on whether it's a UNIX or Windows PC.

UNIX: the hostname is invariably the fully-qualified domain name assigned to your workstation, e.g., mycomputer.dept.jhu.edu. Check what the 'hostname' command reveals.

Windows XP: the hostname will be the Computer Name. Go to Control Panel › System › Computer Name › Full computer name.

Mac OS X: the hostname is the Rendezvous hostname. Run the Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and enter 'hostname'.

Note: hostnames are CASE-SENSITIVE to the license server. So if your computer name is "MyComputer", you must tell us "MyComputer" with an uppercase-M and uppercase-C.

 What is Simulink?

Simulink is an interactive tool for modeling, simulating, and analyzing dynamic systems. Commonly used in control system design, DSP design, communication system design, and other simulation applications, Simulink enables you to build graphical block diagrams, simulate dynamic systems, evaluate system performance, and refine your designs. With seamless integration to MATLAB, Simulink offers immediate access to an extensive range of analysis and design tools. [For more details, see http://www.mathworks.com/products/simulink/index.shtml]

What Application Toolboxes are covered by the JHU License Agreement?

We have three primary toolboxes, and expanded the agreement to cover an additional four toolboxes. Here's a list of the toolboxes (the links are to full descriptions of the toolboxes on the MathWorks web site):

Control Systems

The Control System Toolbox is a collection of MATLAB functions for modeling, analyzing, and designing automatic control systems. The functions in this Toolbox implement mainstream classical and modern control techniques. With the Control System Toolbox, you can analyze and simulate both continuous-time and discrete-time linear dynamical systems.

Image Processing

The Image Processing Toolbox provides engineers and scientists with an extensive suite of robust digital image processing and analysis functions.

Neural Networks

Neural networks offer engineers and scientists a powerful way to explore, classify, and identify patterns in data.

Optimization

The Optimization Toolbox extends the MATLAB environment to provide tools for general and large-scale optimization of nonlinear problems. Additional tools are provided for linear programming, quadratic programming, nonlinear least-squares, and solving nonlinear equations.

Signal Processing

The Signal Processing Toolbox provides a rich, customizable framework for digital signal processing (DSP). Built on a solid foundation of filter design and spectral analysis techniques, the toolbox contains powerful tools for algorithm development, signal and linear system analysis, and time-series data modeling.

Statistics

The Statistics Toolbox is an easy-to-use environment for analyzing historical data, modeling systems to predict their behavior, developing statistical algorithms, and learning and teaching statistics.

Systems Identification

The System Identification Toolbox provides tools for creating mathematical models of dynamical systems based on observed input/output data.

How to support toolboxes that are not in the agreement?

 This is mostly a price and timing issue. To add more toolboxes we have to purchase floating network licenses. These prices change so your best bet is to contact Software Distribution (software@jhu.edu) about your purchase to generate a quotation. The MathWorks has switched to tiered pricing for toolboxes. There is more of a discount with larger purchases - so it's in everyone's best interest to coordinate toolbox purchases rather than do them individually.

We can then add the license key to one of the license servers and through FLEXlm, restrict access to just the purchaser. Since these additional toolboxes are solely used by the purchaser, these fees will be covered by the purchaser as well.

The MathWorks has a list of available toolboxes for MATLAB at http://www.mathworks.com/products/.

Where do I pick up the software?

All site licensed software is distributed from Garland Hall on the Homewood Campus.

Why are there multiple CDROMs?

For MATLAB, product and documentation CDs are separate.

What about licensing for PCs?

We have an "All Platform" license. This would cover "networked" PCs as well as workstations. By "networked", the PC would have to be on the JHU Campus Network since it needs to check with the license servers for keys.

What about licensing for Mac OS X?

The Mathworks supports MATLAB R13 and R14 on Mac OS X. It is included in our "All Platforn" license.

How long do I have to wait until my host is licensed to use MATLAB?

To allow your host to use MATLAB, we need to make changes to files on our license servers. Since these changes are disruptive to the MATLAB user population, we will only allow changes twice a month. We have picked the FIRST and THIRD THURSDAYs of the month at 8:30am to restart the license servers. We will try our best to get your host additions/changes into the servers before the restarts.

Is it possible to run MATLAB with a firewall?

See the MathWorks technical note for details. Specifics of our installation: we are running FLEXlm configured to use the "source" port (1713) and "return" port (1714). Your firewall will need to have both ports opened.

What about laptops (i.e., computers not connected to the JHU Campus Network)?

For laptops or computers that are not on the JHU Campus Network, we recommend purchasing a "standalone" license. This is a single user license that covers MATLAB only (no toolboxes). The laptop would not need to be on the JHU network. Contact Software Distribution (software@jhu.edu).

Why do I get the error "... " when I start MATLAB?

User/host not on INCLUDE list for feature

This means your host has not been added to the license server as one allowed to use MATLAB (or a specific toolbox). We only do host changes TWICE A MONTH (see How long do I have to wait until my host is licensed to use MATLAB?). You may need to allow up to two weeks for a new host to be added.

If the situation persists, please contact Technical Assistance (support@jhu.edu or 410-516-HELP) to verify that your application was received/processed.

error -39 message when using a specific toolbox

This means you are trying to access a toolbox that you are not currently allowed to use. Refer to the list of common toolboxes covered by the license agreement. There are some individual toolboxes (e.g., Compiler, Wavelet) that have been purchased by specific groups and are only available to those groups.

How can I verify which hosts and number of user keys I've signed up for?

You can contact Software Distribution (software@jhu.edu or 410-516-HELP) to verify your MATLAB registration. You can also verify which hosts have access to MATLAB and the number of user keys for your hostgroup.

How can I order documentation?

You can purchase manuals at http://www.mathworks.com/store .

For More Details
Software Distribution (software@jhu.edu)
Technical Assistance/Hopkins ITS
Johns Hopkins University
Tel: (410) 516-HELP
Fax: (410) 516-5508