Install Wandelbots NOVA

Installing Wandelbots NOVA means to commission and prepare the physical robot environment, to set up the selected instance, and to install the Wandelbots NOVA core apps on an instance type of your choice.

Account & license

In order to access cloud instances with pre-installed Wandelbots NOVA, or to download the Wandelbots NOVA image, you need a Wandelbots NOVA account.

Create an account in the Developer Portal .
Log in.

Your account needs to be associated with a valid license to use Wandelbots NOVA. Without a license, you will still be able to install and access Wandelbots NOVA, but won’t be able to use virtual robot controllers or connect your robots to Wandelbots NOVA.

Read more on licenses and how to acquire them here.

Customization and support

Wandelbots NOVA is designed to be flexible and customizable to fit your specific needs. We provide you with two articles for customizing your installation:

Install Wandelbots NOVA behind a proxy in environments with restricted internet access.
Real-time performance to optimize performance for robot control applications.

If you have specific requirements or need assistance with installation, please contact customersuccess@wandelbots.com.

Instance types

Depending on whether you want to use Wandelbots NOVA in a productive environment, different instance types are recommended.

Cloud instances are suited to give Wandelbots NOVA a try and to develop robotic applications.

Use cloud instance

Virtual machines are suited to test your robotic cell and simulate. However please contact Wandelbot’s Customer Success before attempting use of a VM. Reminder, this is only possible with a simulated robot/controller instance used in conjunction with together with Issac Sim. Do not attempt with a physical robot.

Use virtual machine (VM)

Bare-metal (IPC)s are suited to use Wandelbots NOVA in production lines.

Use bare-metal (IPC)

Cloud instance

Once logged in to your Wandelbots NOVA account in the Developer Portal, navigate to the Cloud instances tab.

Create a cloud instance with pre-installed Wandelbots NOVA.
Once the instance is running, click Open. The Wandelbots NOVA home screen opens in a new tab.

You’re ready to set up virtual controllers in Setup!

Set up virtual controller

Virtual machine (VM)

Note that while this section outlines the necessary steps for using a virtual machine with NOVA, please contact Customer Success before attempting use of a VM to make sure it aligns with the needs of your project.

Minimum system requirements

The following minimums apply to a setup with one connected robot controller. Additional CPU, RAM, and storage are required when connecting more controllers, see hardware scaling guidance in the FAQ.

CPU: 4 cores (x86_64), approximately 1 core reserved for real-time services
RAM: 8 GB (no dynamic memory)
Storage: 50 GB of free disk space on the virtual hard disk (/var/lib/rancher)
Network configured via DHCP
Internet access (if behind a proxy, see Installation behind a proxy)
Real-time kernel with robot-realtime tuned profile (automatically configured)

For production setups, especially real-time or near-real-time scenarios such as PROFINET communication, robot control, or coordinated motion of multiple robots, use an SR-IOV-capable network interface. Wandelbots NOVA can run without SR-IOV, but production systems should use SR-IOV-capable NICs to reduce latency, jitter, and network stack overhead. See SR-IOV-capable network interfaces for the full hardware and software stack requirements.

Wandelbots NOVA is not compatible with ARM processors. Third-party virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox) is not recommended.

Download NOVA image

Once logged in to your Wandelbots NOVA account in the Developer Portal, navigate to the Downloads tab.

Download the Wandelbots NOVA image. You’ll see an “Activate device” button within the download panel. This will be used later to connect the device to your Wandelbots NOVA account and license.

Create VM with NOVA image

Open the virtualization software native to your operating system.
Create a new virtual machine and mount the Wandelbots NOVA image file as a virtual disk.
Start the virtual machine.
Select “Install Wandelbots NOVA” from the boot menu.

Installation of AlmaLinux

The operating system required for Wandelbots NOVA, AlmaLinux, will be installed first. The unattended installation can take up to 15 minutes.

A reboot will occur automatically once installation is complete.

Save the user credentials & IP address

After installation, the instance’s name, IP address, and default user credentials are displayed. Be aware the network settings to allow the communication between NOVA and Issac Sim strongly depend on the used visualization software.
Keep this information at hand.

Install Wandelbots NOVA

Log in with the default user credentials.
You’re then prompted to set a new password.

In case you forget your password, contact Wandelbots GmbH Customer Success. For password retrievals of physical instances, Customer Success has to be on site.
Set a new password and keep the new user credentials at hand.
You’re prompted to confirm the installation start.
Confirm the installation preparation with Y and Enter.
You’re now prompted to activate NOVA on the device.
Use the aforementioned Activate device button in the Downloads tab in the Developer Portal. The activation website opens and you’re prompted to enter a code.
Enter the code displayed in the installation dialogue. It might be necessary to log in to your account in the Developer Portal again.
In the installation dialogue, start the installation with Enter.
The installation process starts and can take up to 10 minutes.
After the installation is completed, a link to the Wandelbots NOVA home screen of your instance is displayed.
Open your instance’s home screen.

Congrats! You have successfully installed Wandelbots NOVA. 🎉

You’re ready to set up virtual controllers in Setup.

Set up virtual controller

Bare-metal (IPC)

These instructions apply to any bare-metal hardware that meets the minimum system requirements. For exemplary purposes, the steps below reference a Kontron IPC where hardware-specific details matter, e.g., boot menu key, LAN port labels. If you’re using different hardware, transfer and adapt these references to your device and refer to your hardware manufacturer’s documentation when in doubt.

Minimum system requirements

CPU: 4 cores (x86_64), approximately 1 core reserved for real-time services
RAM: 8 GB (no dynamic memory)
Storage: 50 GB of free disk space on the virtual hard disk (/var/lib/rancher)
Network configured via DHCP
Internet access (if behind a proxy, see Installation behind a proxy)
Real-time kernel with robot-realtime tuned profile (automatically configured)

Additional material required

Have ready:

USB flash drive with 4 GB free space
USB keyboard
USB mouse
Display with DisplayPort cable
Labels for LAN ports (will remain fixed for network connection after configuration)

Ensure the instance is connected to the internet via one of its LAN ports. LAN port naming and numbering differ between hardware vendors, on a Kontron IPC, for example, this is the LAN-3 port. Once a LAN port is configured for internet on the IPC, it becomes fixed and should be labeled. Otherwise, troubleshooting requires trial and error by plugging the cable into multiple ports to reconnect to the network.

All additional material is only required for the installation process and can be removed after the installation is completed.

Download Wandelbots NOVA image

Once logged in to your Wandelbots NOVA account in the Developer Portal, navigate to the Downloads tab.

Download the Wandelbots NOVA image. You’ll see an “Activate device” button within the download panel. This will be used later to connect the device to your Wandelbots NOVA account and license.

Load Wandelbots NOVA image onto USB

Use image writing software to write the image onto a USB flash drive.
Plug the USB flash drive into the IPC.
Connect to power, display, keyboard, and mouse.
Open the boot menu and select the USB flash drive (UEFI). The key to open the boot menu differs between hardware vendors, on a Kontron IPC, for example, press F12. Refer to the hardware manufacturer’s documentation.
Select Install Wandelbots NOVA to begin.

Installation of AlmaLinux

The operating system required for Wandelbots NOVA, AlmaLinux, will be installed first. The unattended installation can take up to 15 minutes.

A reboot will occur automatically once the installation is complete.

Save the user credentials & IP address

After installation, the instance’s name, IP address, and default user credentials are displayed.
Keep this information at hand.

Install Wandelbots NOVA

Log in with the default user credentials.
You’re then prompted to set a new password. The characters will not appear visually as you type.

In case you forget your password, contact Wandelbots GmbH Customer Success. For password retrievals of physical instances, Customer Success has to be on site.
Set a new password and keep the new user credentials at hand.
You’re prompted to confirm the installation start.
Confirm the installation preparation with Y and Enter.
You’re now prompted to activate NOVA on the device.
Use the aforementioned Activate device button in the Downloads tab in the Developer Portal. The activation website opens and you’re prompted to enter a code.
Enter the code displayed in the installation dialogue. It might be necessary to sign in to your account in the Developer Portal again.
In the installation dialogue, start the installation with Enter.
The installation process starts and can take up to 10 minutes.
After the installation is completed, a link to the Wandelbots NOVA home screen of your instance is displayed. Open a terminal in your own PC and type the address and password to complete the installation process.
Open your instance’s home screen.
To access the instance from a different computer, use the same IP address.

Congrats! You have successfully installed Wandelbots NOVA. 🎉

You’re ready to connect controllers in Setup.

Connect controllers