The goal of this project was to create an isolated development environment using virtualization to address issues with cross-platform dependency and unwanted bugs. Initially, Docker was used but did not provide a suitable development platform. Vagrant was then implemented to simplify creation of virtual machines and allow installation of tools like Eclipse, Python and Java. This virtualized environment provides developers a scalable environment similar to production to replace unstable solutions. Future work includes building repositories, implementing Puppet, and containerizing applications.

1. Virtualized Dev Environment
Jose Sanchez-Garcia, CSUMB Organization: BlackRock
Mentor: Joseph Pettinicchi
BACKGROUND
Development at BlackRock is
cross platform which produces
dependency issues between each
different platform and creates
unwanted bugs on programs.
Current solutions to these
problems were not scalable and
not stable.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The goal of this project was to
create an isolated development
environment on a Centos 7
platform that would contain
BlackRock internal tools as well
as tools needed for developing
Python applications overall. This
would allow the application to
become cross-platform.
Work as ONE, not separate
METHODS
METHOD 1:
Utilized Docker to create a virtual
environment where we would run
the Eclipse Mars 2 IDE with the
latest Java 8 and Python 3.5.2.
We later determined that it didn’t
provide a platform to develop
from.
METHOD 2:
Implemented Vagrant to simplify
the creation of virtual machines
with a simple command.
Additionally, Vagrant has the
capability to run scripts in the
background; therefor, installation
for the pre-packaged Eclipse
Mars 2, Python 3.5.2 and Java 8
was simplified.
RESULTS
By creating virtual machines within developer’s computers,
this gave us the opportunity to provide developers with a
scalable, development environment that is similar to the
production environment. This has the ability to replace
current solutions that proved not to be stable for long term
use.
EXPERIENCE
I had an awesome summer being
able to work on the CSI (Core
Software Infrastructure) team at
BlackRock. I was able to
experience both the technology
and the business side of the
company. I also was able to learn
a wide variety of tools and
technologies that are being used
in the company.
TECHNOLOGIES
Vagrant
VirtualBox
Eclipse Mars 2
Java 8
Python 3.5.2
Centos 7
Docker
FUTURE WORK
My project was able to set the
foundation for other future projects
involving virtualized development
environments. Some of the future
work include:
● Building in-house repositories
● Implementing Puppet for
managing virtual machines
across the company
● Containerizing applications that
are difficult for developers to set
up on their machines
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my manager Joseph
Pettinicchi and buddy Tong Wang for
providing me with their knowledge of how
BlackRock operates and guiding me in the
right direction as to how I should approach
this problem.
I would also like the CSin3 staff and the
Matsui Foundation for their support
throughout the entire program.