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A local install means software is installed on a machine or in an environment where it can be used locally—but the exact location and scope depend on the product. It may refer to a package inside a project folder, software in a user-writable directory, or a product-specific setup on a workstation. It is not one standardized installation mode.

What “local install” means

In general, “local” means the software is installed on or for use from the local machine or environment rather than being accessed only from a remote system. To understand what a particular instruction means, identify what counts as “local” for that product: the current project, your user account, the whole computer, or a development workstation.

For example, a package manager can call a dependency local because it sits inside a project folder. An organization’s computing guide may use “local install” for software in a user’s writable directory on a shared server. A vendor may use the phrase as the name of a specific setup mode.

What a local install can mean in practice

Packages installed within a project

In npm, a local install places packages in ./node_modules under the current package root by default. This keeps them associated with that project, rather than installing them in npm’s configured global prefix. See npm’s folder documentation for its local-versus-global locations.

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Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Software in a user-writable directory

On Ohio Supercomputer Center systems, a user can install software in a home directory or project space where they have write access. The Center recommends organizing installations by application and version, and using environment modules to make executables and libraries available in a shell. These practices describe its HPC environment, not a universal directory layout. Its software installation guide explains the approach.

A product-specific workstation setup

NVIDIA AI Workbench uses “full local install” for a setup that supports local development and installs or updates system dependencies. Its remote-only mode is for working in remote locations without a full local installation. NVIDIA’s guide lists admin privileges, internet access, and 40 GB of free disk space for the full local install; the storage figure is specific to AI Workbench, not a general requirement for local installs. The guide was last updated August 7, 2026. See NVIDIA AI Workbench’s installation guide.

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A named deployment mode

Cisco describes Crosswork NSO’s Local Install as intended for development, lab, and evaluation. Its System Install is for centralized, always-on, production-grade deployment as a system daemon. These labels and recommendations apply to NSO; other vendors may use “local” differently. See Cisco’s NSO installation and deployment overview.

How to interpret an installation instruction

When a guide says to install something locally, check the product’s documentation for the specific meaning and requirements. Look for:

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  • Location and scope: Is it installed in the project directory, a user-writable location, or system-wide?
  • Who uses and manages it: Is it for one project or user, or intended to run as a centralized service?
  • Purpose: Does the vendor distinguish development or evaluation from production deployment?
  • Where it runs: Does “local” mean setup on your workstation, as opposed to using a remote machine?
  • Prerequisites: Which operating systems, permissions, network access, disk space, and dependencies does that product require?

Use the named application’s current instructions to answer these questions. Do not assume that “local” means the same folder, permissions, or deployment purpose across different tools.

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Local install versus global or remote use

These terms describe different distinctions, and their meanings depend on context. In npm, local versus global refers to where packages are installed: under the project root or under npm’s configured prefix. In a workstation tool such as NVIDIA AI Workbench, local versus remote distinguishes whether development dependencies are set up on the workstation or work is done in a remote environment. For a deployment product such as Cisco NSO, local versus system install distinguishes product-defined setup modes and intended uses. Check the relevant documentation before treating any of these contrasts as interchangeable.

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  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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