Run RAPIDS on Microsoft Windows 10 Using WSL 2—The Windows Subsystem for Linux

In this post, you will learn how to install Microsoft Windows using WSL 2…

Marlene Mhangami
7 min readintermediate
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Overview

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to run RAPIDS on Microsoft Windows 10 using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2. It details the installation process, prerequisites, and necessary configurations to leverage NVIDIA GPUs for data science tasks.

What You'll Learn

1

How to install WSL 2 on Windows 10 for running Linux applications

2

How to install NVIDIA drivers compatible with WSL 2

3

How to set up and install RAPIDS in a WSL 2 environment

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of WSL and Linux command-line tools
  • Access to an NVIDIA GPU with Pascal architecture or newer

Key Questions Answered

What are the steps to install WSL 2 on Windows 10?
To install WSL 2, you need to follow the instructions from the Microsoft Blog, ensure your Windows build is 20145 or higher, and install a compatible Linux distribution. After that, you can set up your environment for running Linux applications directly on Windows.
How do you install NVIDIA drivers for WSL 2?
You must select the appropriate NVIDIA driver based on your GPU type and install it using the executable. After installation, verify success by running 'nvidia-smi' in PowerShell to check for GPU information.
What is the process to install RAPIDS in WSL 2?
To install RAPIDS, you first need to install Miniconda in your WSL terminal, then use a single conda command to install RAPIDS along with the necessary dependencies like cudf and the CUDA toolkit.

Technologies & Tools

Operating System
Windows Subsystem For Linux
Allows Windows users to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows.
Software
Rapids
A suite of open-source software libraries for data science and analytics.
Hardware
Nvidia GPU
Required for leveraging RAPIDS for accelerated data processing.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Ensure your Windows build is up to date before starting the WSL installation process.
Using an outdated Windows version can lead to compatibility issues with WSL 2 and NVIDIA drivers, which are crucial for running RAPIDS effectively.
2
Always verify your NVIDIA driver installation by using the 'nvidia-smi' command.
This command provides immediate feedback on whether the driver is installed correctly and if your GPU is recognized, which is essential for utilizing RAPIDS.
3
Follow the installation steps in the exact order provided in the article.
Skipping steps or performing them out of order can lead to errors during installation, particularly with WSL and RAPIDS setup.

Common Pitfalls

1
Not verifying the Windows build version before installation.
If the build version is below 20145, WSL 2 may not function properly, leading to installation failures.
2
Installing additional NVIDIA or CUDA drivers inside the WSL 2 instance.
This can cause conflicts and is not necessary since the drivers should be installed on the Windows host system.

Related Concepts

Windows Subsystem For Linux
Nvidia Cuda
Data Science With Rapids