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Installing DeepSeek-R1 on Ubuntu with Ollama

Installing DeepSeek-R1 on Ubuntu with Ollama

technologyGeneral ProgrammingPythonCloudDevopsAI
author-imageSylvester Das

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to installing DeepSeek-R1, a powerful open-source large language model (LLM), on your local Ubuntu machine using Ollama, a user-friendly tool for running LLMs locally. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to run DeepSeek-R1 and start experimenting with its capabilities.

Introduction

Large language models are revolutionizing how we interact with computers. DeepSeek-R1, being open-source, allows you to explore and utilize this technology without relying on cloud services. Ollama simplifies the process of running these complex models locally, making them accessible to a wider audience. This tutorial focuses on getting you set up quickly and easily.

Prerequisites & Setup

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

  • An Ubuntu machine: This tutorial is specifically for Ubuntu. Other Linux distributions might require slight modifications.

  • Stable internet connection: You'll need to download the necessary files.

  • Basic command-line knowledge: Familiarity with using the terminal is essential.

  • Sufficient disk space: LLMs can be quite large, ensure you have at least 20GB of free space.

Step-by-step Implementation

  1. Install Ollama: Open your terminal and execute the following commands:
curl -LO [https://github.com/jmorganca/ollama/releases/latest/download/ollama-linux-amd64](https://github.com/jmorganca/ollama/releases/latest/download/ollama-linux-amd64)
sudo install ollama-linux-amd64 /usr/local/bin/ollama
  1. Start the Ollama service:
sudo systemctl start ollama
  1. Pull the DeepSeek-R1 model:
ollama pull deepseek-coder-r1

This command downloads the DeepSeek-R1 model to your local Ollama repository. This might take some time depending on your internet speed.

  1. Run DeepSeek-R1:
ollama run deepseek-coder-r1

This command starts an interactive session with DeepSeek-R1. You can now start typing your prompts and see the model's responses.

Testing/Validation

After starting the model, test it with a simple prompt like:

What is the capital of France?

DeepSeek-R1 should respond with Paris. This confirms that the installation and setup were successful.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • ollama: command not found: This error means Ollama isn't installed correctly or isn't in your system's PATH. Double-check the installation steps and ensure Ollama is installed in /usr/local/bin/.

  • Slow download speeds: This can be due to network congestion. Try the download again at a different time.

  • Out of memory errors: If you encounter memory issues, consider using a machine with more RAM.

Next Steps

Now that you have DeepSeek-R1 running locally, you can explore its various capabilities:

  • Code generation: Ask it to generate code in different programming languages. For example: Write a Python function to calculate the factorial of a number.

  • Text summarization: Provide it with a long text and ask for a summary.

  • Translation: Experiment with translating text between different languages.

  • Creative writing: Explore its creative potential by asking it to write stories, poems, or articles.

This installation guide provides a foundational understanding of how to run DeepSeek-R1 locally with Ollama. Remember to consult the official Ollama and DeepSeek documentation for more advanced configurations and usage examples. Happy experimenting!

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