Wiki-Setting-up-R-4.4.1-and-RStudio-Server-on-Ubuntu-Server-22.04-with-CRAN-Repository

Background

This guide covers the steps to install R 4.4.1 and configure RStudio Server on Ubuntu 22.04 using the official CRAN repository. Network restrictions initially prevented direct CRAN access, so manual key installation and repository setup were necessary. It also covers compatibility notes between R versions and RStudio Server on this system.

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Step 1: Configure CRAN Repository Access on Ubuntu 22.04

Problem: SSH Bastion Restrictions

• The SSH bastion blocked direct access to CRAN repositories.

Solution:

• Download and add the CRAN public key:

curl -fsSL https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu/marutter_pubkey.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/cran-archive-keyring.gpg

• Add the CRAN repository to your sources:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/cran-archive-keyring.gpg] https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu jammy-cran40/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/cran.list

• Update package lists:

sudo apt update

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Step 2: Install R 4.4.1 on Ubuntu 22.04

• List available R versions:

apt-cache policy r-base

• Install R 4.4.1 explicitly:

sudo apt install r-base-core=4.4.1-3.2204.0

• Verify R version:

R --version

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Step 3: Remove Older R Versions

• Remove old R 4.1.2 installation to avoid conflicts:

sudo apt remove r-base-core=4.1.2-1ubuntu2
sudo apt autoremove

• Confirm removal:

dpkg -l | grep r-base

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Step 4: Install and Start RStudio Server

• Install RStudio Server (replace <version> with your downloaded package version):

sudo dpkg -i rstudio-server-<version>.deb

• Start and enable the service:

sudo systemctl start rstudio-server
sudo systemctl enable rstudio-server

• Check status:

sudo systemctl status rstudio-server

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Step 5: Access RStudio Server as a User

• Access via browser:

http://<server-ip>:8787

• Or create SSH tunnel (replace hostnames as needed):

ssh -L 58787:c8pu01:8787 grathore@facbastp0008.campus.net.ucsf.edu

• Then open:

http://localhost:58787

• Login with system user credentials.

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Compatibility Report: R 4.5 vs RStudio Server on Ubuntu 22.04

• R 4.5.0 is not stable or compatible with current RStudio Server versions on Ubuntu 22.04.
• R 4.4.1 is stable and works well with RStudio Server.
• Recommendation: Use R 4.4.1 until official support for R 4.5 is available.

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Summary of Commands

Step	Command/Action
Add CRAN key	curl -fsSL https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu/marutter_pubkey.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/cran-archive-keyring.gpg
Add CRAN repo	echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/cran-archive-keyring.gpg] https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu jammy-cran40/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/cran.list
Update package lists	sudo apt update
Remove old R 4.1	sudo apt remove r-base-core=4.1.2-1ubuntu2
Install R 4.4.1 core	sudo apt install r-base-core=4.4.1-3.2204.0
Install RStudio Server	sudo dpkg -i rstudio-server-<version>.deb
Start RStudio Server	sudo systemctl start rstudio-server
Enable auto-start RStudio Server	sudo systemctl enable rstudio-server
Access RStudio Server	http://<server-ip>:8787 or SSH tunnel

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Notes

• Replace placeholders like <version> and <server-ip> with actual values.
• Make sure your network allows required ports or use SSH tunneling as shown.
• Always verify RStudio Server compatibility with your R version before upgrading.

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Feel free to customize or extend this README as needed.