Jupyter
Jupyter is an interactive notebook interface that is very popular for AI/ML development using Python. Using Jupyter, you can connect to an interface in your browser and open any notebook that you can download as a .ipynb file.
We recommend this launch mode to start. We also recommend this launch mode over trying to run Google Colab with Vast. While Google Colab has a way to connect to a "local runtime", running Jupyter directly is more robust and less error prone if connections drop or the browser window is closed.
By default Jupyter instances use a proxy server. This is a simple setup that works on machines with or without open ports. The only downside is it can be slower to upload/download large files.
When selecting Jupyter there is a check box for "Jupyter direct HTTPS". When you select this box, you are then limiting your search to machines that have open ports, as you cannot run this option on machines without open ports. So your machine search will narrow.
Jupyter uses a browser interface, so to get the direct HTTPS connection to work, you will need to install a certificate onto your operating system.
If you don't install the browser certificate, Windows and Linux will show a "Your connection is not private" Privacy error. It is annoying but you can click through by clicking "Advanced" and then proceed.
If you don't install the certificate on macOS, the OS might not let you open the Jupyter webpage.
Start by downloading the certificate here. Then follow the directions for your operating system.
In most operating systems, double clicking on the certificate will start an installation wizard.
Windows
- Click "Open".
- Click on the "Install Certificate" button. Select either the current user or local machine and hit next.
- Click "Place all certificates in the following store".
- Select the folder "Trusted Root Certification Authorities". Click OK. Then click Next. Click "Finish" to install the certificate.
- Reboot the machine so the change can take effect.
macOS
- Double click the certificate after downloading it. It will then be added to your Keychain under the Login default keychain. You will notice that it is not trusted.
- Double click the entry and then click on the "Trust" box.
- Change the "When using this certificate" box to "Always Trust".
- Close the window.
