[kebi112358]

I'm preparing to install linux for using openFOAM.But I don't know which linux is best for openFOAM. Can anybody give me some suggestions?Thank you!

[wyldckat]

Hi kebi112358,

If you aren't comfortable with Linux yet, you better focus on learning on how to use Linux with one of the user friendly (i.e. popular) distributions:

• Linux Mint or Ubuntu or even Debian 6 - these are sort-of known as being the most user friendly. For these you can use the quick start packages for Ubuntu.
• openSUSE - my favourite when I need a Firewall and proper Network configurations and other read-to-use graphical configurations.
• Fedora - considered one of those bleeding edge Linux distributions, which is useful if you want or need the latest high-tech stuff. But it can still give an Ubuntu-like feeling to it (at least it did a several months ago).

These 3 are now officially supported by OpenFOAM: http://openfoam.org/download/


When you have got a better handle on Linux, then you can start looking for something better, more dedicated to what you really need. There are so many Linux distributions to pick from, that you'll need to figure out first what you really need!

Best regards,
Bruno

[klausb]

Hello,

have a look at http://distrowatch.com/, there's a ranking on the right hand side.

Don't get confused with all the distributions - go for Mint, it's comfortrable and well designed and as it's Ubuntu and hence Debian based good for research purposes. Play with the liveCD. Most people who are new to linux install it in parallel to Windows.

First things to learn are e.g. Menu> package management, that's the way to install software that's in the online repository (it's just a click). Afterwards surf the web an learn the basics about the standardised linux directory structure.

The terminal is next, that's the command window where you'll soon spend a lot of time. Start with the commands cd and cd .. (go to another directory and move back), cp (copy), mkdir (make a new directory), pwd (show the actual path/directory)... later try to install a programm the linux way using ./configure, make and make install oh, and sudo is important, the latter provides e.g. superuser rights necessary to install software outside the user directory, properly into the the directory structure.

Klaus

[alberto]

I would suggest openSUSE, which is what I have been using for years. It requires probably a bit more understanding of how things work than Ubuntu, however you need that anyway to use OpenFOAM efficiently. On the long run it pays back.

If you need a distribution with a longer lifecycle, you might want to consider CentOS (based on Red Hat Enterprise), or the two commercial distributions SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and Red Hat Linux Enterprise.

I do not have a good opinion of Ubuntu and derivatives, for various reasons that are too long to explain here.

[elvis]

Hi,

I think that you should consider one of the LIVE DVD´s that have a working OpenFOAM in their distribution!
based on SUSE this is Alberto´s GeekoCFD or search for alternatives http://susestudio.com/search?q=openfoam (=>cfdstudio by OpenCFD but not the latest software included)
CAELinux is based on Ubuntu LTS, from time to time there is a new release (15 October 2011).
The OpenFoam workshop released a Ubuntu-LTS-based LiveDVD for 6th OF-workshop, here you get a working Openfoam 1.6-ext plus a Openfoam 1.6-ext (debug mode)

I am not informed if you get a Fedora/Red Hat based LiveDVD with working OF but http://www.scientificlinux.org/ might be a candidate