Unable to use Python matlab.engine in a Docker container

I am attempting to install Matlab in a Docker container where I will be using the Python matlab.engine class. I am able to install Matlab silently and do a silent activation. These both succeed. I am also able to install this class via python setup.py install.

After this, when I bring up python in my container, I am able to import matlab.engine without issue. When I then try to execute: matlab.engine.start_matlab(), I get the following errors:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matlab/engine/__init__.py", line 112, in start_matlab
    eng = future.result()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matlab/engine/futureresult.py", line 68, in result
    return self.__future.result(timeout)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matlab/engine/matlabfuture.py", line 87, in result
    handle = pythonengine.getMATLAB(self._future)
matlab.engine.EngineError: Unable to launch MVM server: License Error

Why is this happening? I do have a valid license and this was specified when I did the install.

Thanks,

Eric Hamer

Quantiacs

[Eric Hamer]

When I run matlab -nodesktop -r 'disp hello; exit', the system response is "bash: matlab: command not found"

Please advise.

[Walter Roberson]

You will have to find the proper path. https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/66570-what-is-the-default-installation-path-for-matlab-on-architecture-x

At installation time on Linux, MATLAB offers to create a link in /usr/local/bin . That link might not have been created, or /usr/local/bin itself might not happen to be on your path.

Answer 1

[Marc Lasch]

You need a ".lic" license file which should be copied to

.matlab/R2018a_licenses/

in your user's homefolder. However I had a problem with that license file because of the network interface in my container (which was host0). The license file is bound to a mac address in the machine. The virtual Ethernet interface of the container was not recognized by matlab (at least in a systemd-nspawn container).

Answer 2

[Bo Li]

Does MATLAB itself run with the Docker container, for example:

matlab -nodesktop -r 'disp hello; exit'

Answer 3

[Eric Hamer]

When I execute this: /usr/local/R2016b/bin/matlab -nodesktop -r 'disp hello; exit'

I get this as the response:

MATLAB is selecting SOFTWARE OPENGL rendering.
root@cff09122de9a:/install# -------------------------------------
Error: Activation cannot proceed. You may either:
1. Set an X11 display, and restart the activation process
2. Use the silent activation feature
3. Activate using the license center
------------------------------------------------------------------

While still in the container, I repeated the silent activation and it succeeded, but when I ran the above command, the result was the same.

Please advise.

Eric

[Guillaume Garreau]

hello, Have you found the solution?

[Vadim Nemytov]

on Llinux:

1. before entering the container type: xauth list $DISPLAY
2. launch your container as with this command: docker run --env DISPLAY --net=host -v /tmp/.X11-unix -it localhost:5000/vn_centos7:R2020a (where the last part is your own IMAGE_NAME:IMAGE_TAG_NAME. for me IMAGE_NAME is localhost:5000/vn_centos7 and IMAGE_TAG_NAME is R2020a)
3. when you enter the container make sure that this file exists: ~/.Xauthority If it doesn't exist, create it via this command: touch ~/.Xauthority
4. inside the container type: xauth add LONG_OUTPUT_FROM_THE_FIRST_COMMAND_ABOVE
5. container should xauth and other things pre-installed. At least on Centos7 docker image these are needed to handle GUI (for e.g. R2022a): yum install -y xauth gtk2 at-spi2-atk alsa-lib