Installing and Running the Unidata IDV Integrated Data Viewer

Installing and Running the Unidata IDV with Web Start

This web page explains how to install and run the Unidata Integrated Data Viewer (IDV) using Java Web Start. The IDV is the reference application for the Unidata MetApps development, making general tools for displaying geo-referenced datasets. Java Web Start is an application-deployment technology that downloads all software needed from the Web and then starts the application. You do not need to set up directories, or FTP files, or configure anything - Web Start does it for you.

Before starting, please see the System Requirements .

The IDV User's Guide is online at http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/IDV/docs/UserGuide/.

Install and Run the IDV with Web Start

Install Java
- If you are running Windows, Web Start will download everything you need.
- If you are running Solaris or Linux, you need to first install an FCS version of Java 1.3 or higher (no beta or RC versions).
- For other systems, Web Start doesn't work yet, so go to the manual installation section of the Users Guide.
Click here to Download and Install Web Start (one time only)

You only have to install the Web Start program once, unless you need to update to a later version. Under Linux and Solaris, you will be prompted for the pathname of the installed JRE - the Java runtime environment. Be sure you are running Web Start version 1.0.1_02 or later (but not 1.2 until it is an FCS (non-beta/RC) version). There is a security problem with earlier versions (1.0, 1.0.1_01, etc). If you are using Netscape, after installing WebStart, you must exit Netscape, and start Netscape again.
Click here to Launch the IDV .
Once Web Start is installed, you only click here to start the IDV every time.

For additional information on starting the IDV through Web Start, see the IDV User's Guide and the FAQ.

Go to Unidata's home page.

Page last updated April 30, 2003