Install Jatos on Server running windows
Hello,
I am not that techy but I get by and have already set up Jatos on my home PC running windows 7 using a tunneling service and it works well. I am trying to get my Univeristy to host it on their server. The instructions for installing Jatos on a server https://www.jatos.org/JATOS-on-a-server.html references using Linux. Is linux necessary? Can I use windows?
The IT person in my institution was going to set me up a 'virtual server' running windows but now says that as it will require linux and mysql with Apache web services as a proxy, it would take a considerable amount of effort from one of my team members to learn about this and set it up.
I am just trying to work whether its as complex as the IT person is making out.
So frustrating that I can host experiemnts from home PC (which is not really appropriate) but might have to wait until Jannuary 2021 to get it set up on my institutions server.
Many Thanks
Deiniol
Comments
Hi Deiniol. The easiest way nowadays for running Jatos on Windows is just by using Docker. This works really well on Windows now too. You can install Docker Desktop, and then download and run the docker image from Jatos. I don't know if this possibility is limited to Windows 10 though or if Docker also supports older versions of Windows.
Thanks for the relpy. Does docker run on a 'virtual server'?
I have found the answer to my own question Windows not yet suported.
https://www.jatos.org/Update-JATOS.html#normal-process
Hi,
JATOS on a Linux server with MySQL and Apache is the more 'professional' solution, that one would use for an institutional server that is shared between multiple users. If you just want to use JATOS for your own study alone you don't need this. Just be aware that running JATOS on your local computer is not as safe and reliable as it would be on a 'professional' server (e.g. do not turn it off when you go home :) ). I'd recommend to export your study results regularly, just in case something breaks.
And JATOS with a Docker container on Windows is definitely a solution. I'm just not very experienced with Windows these days and I'm not sure if it works with Windows 7. If not a 'normal' JATOS installation without Docker is also possible.
And you've probably seen this already: there is a link in our docs about using a local JATOS: http://www.jatos.org/Expose-your-local-JATOS.html
Best,
Kristian
Hi again,
I re-read your question and want to add something (it was late when I wrote my last answer). From what I got now, you want to convince your IT folks to install JATOS for you on an university server. And they say you'd need MySQL and Apache. Okay, here is my opinion (you can quote me):
MySQL database: It's always your or your IT folks' decision but I'd say it is not necessary if the server is just a temporary one, only for one or two experiments and you are the only user. JATOS uses an embedded database as a default that works just fine, but can't be backed up without stopping JATOS which is a problem in a 'big' JATOS installation that is supposed to run all the time. You can make your IT's life easier by telling them that they do not have to care for backups and you will export your result data regularly yourself.
Apache: It is necessary to add HTTPS to JATOS. If you do not have private data, you don't need encryption and therefore no Apache. Just put your IP and port in JATOS' conf/production.conf.
In our experience, IT admins have usually found the JATOS docs clear and easy to follow. Please ask again if you IT folks have more questions or need more convincing.
Best,
Kristian