Determining the best cloud solution for your interactive MATLAB and Simulink workflows starts with understanding the four primary use cases:
- Interactive design and development: Access MATLAB and Simulink on your chosen cloud platform
- Simulation and design exploration at scale: Scale your simulations and computations to CPUs, GPUs, or compute clusters
- Integration with continuous integration (CI) and automated test systems: Automate build processes and code testing to improve code quality using cloud-based CI systems
- Production deployment and operationalization: Deploy your code and models to the cloud and integrate them with your enterprise systems and applications
The guide below focuses exclusively on cloud solutions for interactive design and development with MATLAB and Simulink.
See the resources page for information on non-interactive solutions.
How Do You Plan to Interact with MATLAB and Simulink in Your Cloud Environment?
The cloud offerings that support interactive design and development workflows with MATLAB and Simulink provide two similar, but distinct user experiences.
Remote desktop or VDI-like approach
Using MATLAB on AWS through a remote desktop connection.
Connect to a virtual desktop environment, such as Linux® or Windows®, running in the cloud. Access MATLAB as a desktop application just like you would on a PC.
Key Distinctions
- MATLAB is an application within the context of a virtual OS desktop.
- All versions and product features are supported.
- Integrating with third-party tools and other desktop software can act more intuitively.
- You may perceive the remote desktop approach as laggy for interactive tasks.
Browser-based approach
Using MATLAB through a browser with the matlab-proxy package.
Access MATLAB as a browser-based application just like a traditional website.
Key Distinctions
- MATLAB occupies the entire browser tab.
- Some version and product limitations may apply.
- Integrating with third-party tools and other desktop software can present more challenges.
- You may perceive the browser-based approach as more responsive for interactive tasks.
Where Do You Want to Run MATLAB and Simulink?
It is common for engineering organizations to partner with cloud vendors and other infrastructure partners to achieve strategic IT initiatives. Whether your organization prefers AWS®, Azure®, Google Cloud Platform™ (GCP), or something on-premises, there are integrations and reference architectures that enable you to make MATLAB and Simulink readily available to end users.
The table below provides several examples of MathWorks solutions that enable you to run MATLAB and Simulink in different cloud contexts and platforms.
| Solution | Brief Description | Runs on |
|---|---|---|
MATLAB Online |
Leverage the fastest and easiest way to run MATLAB using cloud resources managed by MathWorks. Access the latest version of MATLAB through your browser without any downloads, installation, or maintenance. |
Cloud resources managed by MathWorks |
Reference Architectures for MATLAB |
Leverage customizable templates for creating, accessing, and managing virtual machines on public cloud platforms with MATLAB preinstalled. Apply best practices to your AWS, Azure, or GCP environments. |
Your AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud account |
Cloud Center |
Use a point-and-click interface for creating, accessing, and managing virtual machines on AWS with MATLAB preinstalled. Run MATLAB in your own AWS account without deep cloud expertise*. * Administrator permissions may be required. |
Your AWS account |
MATLAB Integration for Jupyter |
Reuse your existing Jupyter environment to provide access to MATLAB. Run MATLAB code in a Jupyter notebook or open MATLAB through your browser to access MATLAB apps and other interactive capabilities alongside other tools. |
JupyterHub, Jupyter Notebook Server, and many other Jupyter-based provisioning systems |
matlab-proxy package |
Reuse your existing orchestration system to launch and access MATLAB through your browser to access MATLAB apps and other interactive capabilities. |
Your browser-based development platform on-premises or in the cloud |
MATLAB in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure |
Reuse your existing VDI infrastructure to access and run MATLAB. |
Your VDI platform |
The examples shown in the table above represent a subset of the cloud solutions that support interactive design and development with MATLAB and Simulink. For a more complete list of the cloud solutions that support these workflows, refer to the resources page.
What MATLAB and Simulink Products Do You Plan to Use?
The cloud solutions provided by MathWorks aim to extend the capabilities of MATLAB and Simulink to your preferred cloud platform. Some solutions can have specific product or version limitations to consider when evaluating your options. For example, browser-based solutions like MATLAB Online support many toolboxes without limitation; however, some features and commands are not supported.
Need Help Deciding?
This guide highlights some of the key factors to consider when choosing a cloud solution for your interactive MATLAB and Simulink workflows. For help evaluating your specific requirements, or to discuss advanced topics such as licensing, security, or enterprise integration, contact us.
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