CFD installation instructions
If you already have CFD installed with IDA ICE 5.1.1 or 5.1.1.1, and dont intend to use that version further, you can remove the CFD backend image to save disk space. This is described below in the first subsection of Complete reinstallation .
The CFD backend is unfortunately not available for ARM based computers yet.
Introduction
The CFD extension depends on OpenFOAM® which is a Linux software that, in a CFD for IDA ICE installation, runs inside the Windows Subsystem for Linux, WSL (WSL2).Therefore, to be able to use CFD for IDA ICE, you need to activate the WSL Windows feature and then download and import the Linux distribution image provided by EQUA. These two steps are handled by (1) the installer and (2) from within IDA ICE upon first access to the CFD tab.
An explanation of how IDA ICE interacts with WSL2 and why, can be found here.
This guide applies to IDA ICE version 5.2.
Trademark disclaimer
OPENFOAM® is a registered trade mark of OpenCFD Limited, producer and distributor of the OpenFOAM software via www.openfoam.com.
This offering is not approved or endorsed by OpenCFD Limited, producer and distributor of the OpenFOAM software via www.openfoam.com, and owner of the OPENFOAM® and OpenCFD® trade marks.
0. Before installing CFD for IDA ICE
Skip to Section 1 if you already have had the CFD extension running on the computer. These steps needs to be performed once only.
- You do need a CFD license to use CFD for IDA ICE.
- An updated Windows operating system, version 11.
- For WSL version 2 to work, the CPU virtualization features needs to be enabled enabled from BIOS. See e.g. Microsoft support. The Windows Task Manager usually shows whether Virtualization is enabled or not.
- The WSL2 Windows feature must be activated! Activation is automated using this EQUA developed program: WSLActivation.exe, or manually as described below. Note that a reboot is required to complete the activation.
- The CFD backend exposes two ports (usually 4444 and 4445) to your Windows operating system. Make sure that your Windows OS has an active firewall that prevents external computers access to these ports.
1. Install the CFD extension
Download the CFD extension installer from this link, and run the installer. The installer will ask for Administrator privileges.
2. Start IDA ICE
With the computer restarted, start IDA ICE and make sure that you now have a new CFD tab.
If the warning text CFD not loaded appear in the Log window, the CFD license is missing or wrong.
3. Install the Linux CFD backend
The CFD for IDA ICE frontend is now installed but the backend is still remaining, this is done from within IDA ICE. The first time the CFD tab is accessed, the WSL management form opens.
Click on the Install backend button to download and install the equa-linux distribution from EQUA's file server. (All downloaded files are digitally signed and the signatures are verified upon download.).
The download consists of a file that is a few hundred MB in size, so this step may take a few minutes. After the installation you are notified about whether it succeeded or not.
The WSL management form can be accessed again by pressing "Session" and then the blue "WSL" in the top right corner.
Verification
The quickest way to verify that everything is running in the future is by opening the CFD session form . If necessary, press "launch session" to start an new instance of the CFD solver.
Complete reinstallation
To completely reinstall all CFD components proceed as follows:
A. Delete the backend
- Start IDA ICE and open the Manage WSL form from the bottom right corner in the CFD tab.
- Press Delete backend, then wait for the confirmation dialog.
- Close IDA ICE
If you for some reason can not access the WSL managment form (e.g. if CFD is not installed or not working properly), you can remove the backend manually.
B. Reinstall the CFD extension
- Using the Windows "Add and Remove programs" feature, locate and uninstall the CFD extension (make sure to select the correct version.)
- Proceed with the three installation steps starting from Section 1.