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Jupyter Notebooks

Jupyter Notebooks and JupyterLab are best run via Katana OnDemand.

When you use Jupyter Notebooks and JupyterLab on Katana OnDemand it comes with some built in environments and kernels that are available for use. If none of these work for you then you can install your own environment or kernel.

Python virtual environments

If you need to use the Jupyter Notebook or Jupyter Lab with your own Python Virtual Environments you will need to create your own Python Jupyter kernel using the instructions below:

Create and load the virtual environment

$ module load python/3.8.3
$ python3 -m venv --system-site-packages /home/z1234567/.venvs/jupyter-kernel
$ source /home/z1234567/.venvs/jupyter-kernel/bin/activate

Create the Jupyter Kernel

This script can automatically setup Jupyter kernels for use in Katana OnDemand.

(jupyter-kernel) $ install_jupyter_kernels
(jupyter-kernel) $ python3 -m ipykernel install --prefix=$HOME/.local --name=jlab-kernel

Warning

The --name=XXXX isn't strictly necessary, but if you don't use it, the kernel will be called "Python 3". This will not be distinguishable from the Katana supplied Python 3 and could cause confusion.

Now when you load a JupyterLab session, you should see your personal kernel in the list of available kernels. This kernel will have access to your virtual environment.

Conda environments

If you need to use the Jupyter Notebook or Jupyter Lab with your own Conda environment you will need to create your own Python or R Jupyter kernel. Here is an example:

Create and activate the environment

$ conda create -n my_conda_env -c conda-forge ipykernel
$ conda activate my_conda_env
Once you have activated your Conda environment you will need to create your Jupyter kernal using one of the commands listed above.

Other Jupyter Kernels

Kernels other than ipykernel, need jupyter to be installed in addition to the kernel.

For example, to use the R kernel r-irkernel, you must also install the jupyter package before running the helper script.

(my_conda_env) $ conda install jupyter