# Installation

> Installing Olex: choosing a Linux PC, obtaining the licence, documentation, and connecting the GPS, echo sounder and other instruments over NMEA 0183.

Olex runs on Linux. MIS sells and installs Olex directly, without a reseller network: for an installation,
[contact us](https://www.justmagic.com/en/contact/).

This page sets out the technical recommendations of the former website. The step-by-step procedures it
described (installing Fedora Core, then version 7.39 of Olex of 8 November 2013) are out of date and are not
reproduced here.

## The PC

Recommendations from the former website:

- MIS recommended the Scientific Linux distribution (its preference) or CentOS; Red Hat Enterprise Linux and
  Fedora were also possible.
- The PC must be able to run Linux. The most critical point is the video chip, which must be supported by
  Xorg.
- The PC must have an Ethernet port and serial ports. Additional PCI cards are best fitted before installing
  Linux and Olex.
- Provide plenty of RAM: at least 4 GB.
- A powerful processor is not needed: Olex runs on an Atom-type processor.
- For a laptop, check its Linux compatibility before buying.
- To keep Windows on the same PC, first partition the disk to create a Linux partition of at least 20 GB,
  for example with GParted from a Linux Live CD.

These recommendations were drawn up at the time of the former website; [contact us](https://www.justmagic.com/en/contact/) for
current hardware.

## Installing Olex

In the former website's procedure, Olex was installed from its installation CD once Linux was in place:
you simply ran the installer (`sh /media/installer`). Installation took 10 to 15 minutes depending on the
computer and ended with the message *Successful installation*; the PC then restarted directly into Olex.

The installation sets the PC up for use on board: it starts Olex automatically.

## Obtaining the licence

1. In the **Config** menu, switch the menus to the language you want.
2. Insert a USB key.
3. In the **Config** menu, choose the item that saves data to the backup unit.
4. Choose the USB key, then the hardware id button, to save your PC's `id` file.
5. Send this `id` file as an attachment to [sales@justmagic.com](mailto:sales@justmagic.com).

MIS sends you back the Olex software key by email, a file called `nokkel`. Then:

1. Copy the `nokkel` file to the USB key and insert it into the Olex PC.
2. In the **Config** menu, choose the item that reads data and software, then select the `nokkel` file.
3. Restart the PC with the exit item of the **Config** menu.

## Documentation

At the time of the former website, the Olex software and its English manual were distributed on the FTP
server of Olex AS, the developer ([olex.no](https://www.olex.no/)). The former website also offered these
documents in French:

- sales brochures: [version 4](https://www.justmagic.com/_externsite/Olex_brochure_FR.pdf) and
  [version 5](https://www.justmagic.com/New_brochure_FR_Olex.pdf) (PDF);
- [advertising banner](https://www.justmagic.com/Olex_bandeau_PUB_FR.jpg);
- user manual, version 4.10: [PDF](https://www.justmagic.com/_externsite/manuel_Olex_FR_v4.10.pdf) (4.45 MB) or
  [online](https://www.justmagic.com/_externsite/manuel_Olex_HTML/help.html);
- user manual, version 5.30: [PDF](https://www.justmagic.com/manuel_Olex_FR_v5.30.pdf) (5.9 MB).

These documents describe old versions of Olex.

## Connecting the instruments

The PC needs at least **2 serial ports** to connect the GPS and the echo sounder, and 5 if there are
additional interfaces with the ARPA radar, the gyrocompass or the autopilot.

| Instrument | NMEA 0183 sentences |
|---|---|
| GPS or DGPS, set to the **WGS84** datum | **GGA** (ship's position and satellite information), **RMC** or **ZDA** (date and time, for tide calculation) and **VTG** (course and speed over ground), all required |
| Echo sounder | either **DBT** (depth below transducer), **DBS** (below surface) or **DEP** (below surface, with offset) |
| Gyrocompass | **HDT** |
| ARPA radar | **TTM** |
| Autopilot (input) | **RMB** and **APB** |

Olex is also compatible with **satellite compasses** (at the time of the former website: Furuno SC-30, SC-50
and SC-110, JRC JLR-10, JLR-20 and JLR-30, Thales Ashtech 3011). They provide the position and true heading,
but also **pitch** and **roll**, for a better bathymetry calculation.

MIS recommends using an **optocoupler** to galvanically isolate and protect the PC's serial inputs and
outputs.

[[image : Wiring diagram of an optocoupler on a desktop PC]](https://www.justmagic.com/images/Opto_PC.gif)
*Example diagram for a standard (non-laptop) PC*