How to make Altera-Modelsim free download version to work?

W

Weng Tianxiang

Guest
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Apr 26 2012
Copyright 1991-2012 Mentor Graphics Corporation
All rights reserved.

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

I don't know:
1. How to set the environment variables.

2. If the licence file is valid for me to free use?

Thank you.

Weng
 
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b
Click to expand...

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.
Click to expand...

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo
 
On 12/5/18 2:58 AM, Theo wrote:
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo
Click to expand...

You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

How to set the environment variables to point to the file you get will
depend on your operating system, but it generally will be in the control
panel.
 
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:43:28 AM UTC-8, Richard Damon wrote:
On 12/5/18 2:58 AM, Theo wrote:
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo



You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

How to set the environment variables to point to the file you get will
depend on your operating system, but it generally will be in the control
panel.
Click to expand...

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your response.

My project does not need any chip, but a concept project, to make sure it works without linking to any FPGA chip.

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.
Click to expand...

I will try to get a licence file based on your advice, and am trying to buy a commercial one.

Weng
 
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 8:18:12 AM UTC-8, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:43:28 AM UTC-8, Richard Damon wrote:
On 12/5/18 2:58 AM, Theo wrote:
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo



You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

How to set the environment variables to point to the file you get will
depend on your operating system, but it generally will be in the control
panel.

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your response.

My project does not need any chip, but a concept project, to make sure it works without linking to any FPGA chip.

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.


I will try to get a licence file based on your advice, and am trying to buy a commercial one.

Weng
Click to expand...

Hi,

May there be 3rd party FREE simulation tools in VHDL and Window 7/10 that are purely designed to do simulation only except Modelsim?

Thank you.

Weng
 
On 05/12/2018 17:18, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:43:28 AM UTC-8, Richard Damon wrote:
On 12/5/18 2:58 AM, Theo wrote:
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo



You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

How to set the environment variables to point to the file you get will
depend on your operating system, but it generally will be in the control
panel.

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your response.

My project does not need any chip, but a concept project, to make sure it works without linking to any FPGA chip.

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.


I will try to get a licence file based on your advice, and am trying to buy a commercial one.
Click to expand...

If you don't specifically need this old version of the software for
handling old chips, then why not use newer and better versions, and save
yourself the fuss with the licence files?
 
Richard Damon <Richard@damon-family.org> wrote:
You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).
Click to expand...

Quartus yes, but not for Modelsim.
(there may be some models of chip-specific logic cells if you want to simulate
synthesised logic, but most users are simulating direct from HDL source
code)

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.
Click to expand...

That used to be true (hence why I queried using an older version), but is no
longer. For recent Quartus and Modelsim, you don't need a licence for
Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition.

Quartus prompts whether you want to ask for a 30 day trial licence, but it
still works for a limited set of FPGAs and IP cores without.
(eg Cyclone is included in Quartus Lite but Stratix needs Quartus Std with a
paid licence)

Theo
 
David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> wrote:
If you don't specifically need this old version of the software for
handling old chips, then why not use newer and better versions, and save
yourself the fuss with the licence files?
Click to expand...

There's a legitimate reason to use an old version when synthesising, because
porting from one version of the tools to another is nontrivial (particularly
with respect to supplied IP cores, which can change functionality in
incompatible ways). So if somebody gives me a project built with a particular
version, the first thing I do is try and build with that version, then port
forward and see if it still works. Timing can often be markedly different
between versions (not always for the better).

However, I can't think of an instance when simulating where you might need
to use an older version of the simulator.

(give or take issues like 32 v 64 bit versions of tools and whatever your
host OS supports)

Theo
 
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 12:50:18 PM UTC-8, Theo wrote:
Richard Damon <Richard@damon-family.org> wrote:
You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Quartus yes, but not for Modelsim.
(there may be some models of chip-specific logic cells if you want to simulate
synthesised logic, but most users are simulating direct from HDL source
code)

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

That used to be true (hence why I queried using an older version), but is no
longer. For recent Quartus and Modelsim, you don't need a licence for
Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition.

Quartus prompts whether you want to ask for a 30 day trial licence, but it
still works for a limited set of FPGAs and IP cores without.
(eg Cyclone is included in Quartus Lite but Stratix needs Quartus Std with a
paid licence)

Theo
Click to expand...

Hi Theo,

Where can I download Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition?

I downloaded from Intel website and got Altera_installer_12.1. I clicked the application Modelsim.10.1b and it immediately popped a window saying fatal licence error.

After entering Intel website I really missed and don't know which is which.

For recent Quartus and Modelsim, you don't need a licence for
Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition.
Click to expand...

If you are kind enough, please give me the exact address. I downloaded just yesterday. So actually I downloaded a different version from yours.

I ask for an old version, not because I use any old chip, but it is free. If it is true that "For recent Quartus and Modelsim, you don't need a licence for Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition", absolutely I would like to download a 2008 VHDL version simulator.

Writing code in VHDL 2008 is much easier than in VHDL 2002.

Thank you.

Weng
 
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 11:18:12 AM UTC-5, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:43:28 AM UTC-8, Richard Damon wrote:
On 12/5/18 2:58 AM, Theo wrote:
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I downloaded 11.0_modelsim_ase_windows.exe from
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/software/modelsim/121.html

Release Notes For ModelSim Altera 10.1b

Why are you using a 7 year old version?

After installing the software, I cannot run it: Unable to checkout a
licence. Modelsim-Altera uses the following environment variables to
check the licence (listed in the order of preference)

1. MGLS_LICENCE_FILE
2. LM_LICENCE_FILE.

Modelsim-Altera should run without a licence for suitably small designs.
However the older versions may have needed a licence server, which you
probably don't have.

Theo



You need older versions of the software to generate designs for older
chips, as the software drops support for older "obsolete" chips (even if
you can still buy them).

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.

How to set the environment variables to point to the file you get will
depend on your operating system, but it generally will be in the control
panel.

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your response.

My project does not need any chip, but a concept project, to make sure it works without linking to any FPGA chip.

Even though it is listed as "free to use", you still need a license
file, which you can apply for and get for free on the Altera web site.


I will try to get a licence file based on your advice, and am trying to buy a commercial one.
Click to expand...

You will find the same thing with Lattice. You need to obtain a free license to run their free tools. Not a big deal, but it runs out after a year and you need to get another free license.

Rick C.

Tesla referral code -- https://ts.la/richard11209
 
On 05/12/18 22:07, Theo wrote:
David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> wrote:
If you don't specifically need this old version of the software for
handling old chips, then why not use newer and better versions, and save
yourself the fuss with the licence files?

There's a legitimate reason to use an old version when synthesising, because
porting from one version of the tools to another is nontrivial (particularly
with respect to supplied IP cores, which can change functionality in
incompatible ways). So if somebody gives me a project built with a particular
version, the first thing I do is try and build with that version, then port
forward and see if it still works. Timing can often be markedly different
between versions (not always for the better).
Click to expand...

Yes, I realise that - and I recommend not changing the tools for an
existing project without extremely good reason. (I work mainly with
embedded software, rather than programmable logic, but the same applies
there.)

However, my understanding is that the OP is doing tests and experiments
with new code and a new design, so this does not apply.

However, I can't think of an instance when simulating where you might need
to use an older version of the simulator.

(give or take issues like 32 v 64 bit versions of tools and whatever your
host OS supports)

Theo
Click to expand...
 
On 06/12/2018 01:03, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
...snip
Hi Theo,

Where can I download Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition?
Click to expand...

If you are a student then I would recommend the student edition which
has far less limitations (instance limits) although for some unknown
reason it is still single language only:

https://www.mentor.com/company/higher_ed/modelsim-student-edition

Mentor used to have lots of FPGA vendor OEM agreements (by my count at
least 6), nowadays there are only 3(?) left:

Intel:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/software/programmable/quartus-prime/model-sim.html

Microchip:
https://www.microchip.com/design-centers/programmable-logic/spld-cpld/tools/software/prochip-designer

Microchip(MicroSemi):
https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/dev-tools/4900-modelsim

Writing code in VHDL 2008 is much easier than in VHDL 2002.
Click to expand...

So true, however, make sure your synthesis tool can handle 2008 as
changing your code back from 2008 to 2002 is a real pain.

Good luck,
Hans.
www.ht-lab.com


Thank you.

Weng
Click to expand...
 
Weng Tianxiang <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote:
> Where can I download Quartus Lite and Modelsim-Intel FPGA Edition?

https://dl.altera.com/

You'll need to login.

The dropdowns allow you to select 'Lite' and whatever version you need.
18.1 is the most recent.


I wouldn't use this for your first time, but because I end up deploying
Quartus to servers a lot, I wrote a Python script to download and install
the Linux version:
https://github.com/CTSRD-CHERI/quartus-install

This doesn't have a complete database of URLs, only the ones I've needed for
particular jobs, and it has a few rough edges. Happy to take pull requests.
(the URLs can be generated programmatically, but Altera kept changing the
format between versions so I gave up and just pasted them all in)

Theo
 
On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 3:26:14 PM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
GHDL is a free VHDL simulator.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Ghdl

Kevin
Click to expand...

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for sharing the most important information. The problem is that I have no experience with Linux system.

Do you have any experiences with GHDL?

Weng
 
I prefer Modelsim but I did try GHDL. It works under Windows as well, which is what I used.

Kevin
 
On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 5:33:03 PM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
I prefer Modelsim but I did try GHDL. It works under Windows as well, which is what I used.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Hi Kevin,

I registered an account in GitHub, and I found I missed and could not find GHDL in any version.

Could you please give me the website to download GitHub window version?

Thank you.

Weng
 
On Friday, December 7, 2018 at 1:27:55 PM UTC-5, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 5:33:03 PM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
I prefer Modelsim but I did try GHDL. It works under Windows as well, which is what I used.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I registered an account in GitHub, and I found I missed and could not find GHDL in any version.

Could you please give me the website to download GitHub window version?

Thank you.

Weng
Click to expand...

https://github.com/ghdl/ghdl/releases

Kevin
 
On Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 8:22:38 AM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
On Friday, December 7, 2018 at 1:27:55 PM UTC-5, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 5:33:03 PM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
I prefer Modelsim but I did try GHDL. It works under Windows as well, which is what I used.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I registered an account in GitHub, and I found I missed and could not find GHDL in any version.

Could you please give me the website to download GitHub window version?

Thank you.

Weng

https://github.com/ghdl/ghdl/releases

Kevin
Click to expand...

Hi Kevin,

Thank you very much !!!

I am not an experienced application user. Here I copied all related download file names from the website you suggested above:

ghdl-0.35-llvm-3.8-ubuntu14.tgz 14.1 MB
ghdl-0.35-llvm-macosx.tgz 12.2 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-fedora26.tgz 2.83 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-macosx.tgz 2.26 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-stretch.tgz 2.93 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-ubuntu14.tgz 3.15 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-windows.installer.ps1 6.19 MB
ghdl-0.35-mcode-windows.zip 2.31 MB
ghdl-0.35-mingw32-mcode.zip 3.05 MB
ghdl-0.35-mingw64-llvm.zip 12.7 MB
ghdl-gpl-0.35-mcode.tgz 2.61 MB
Source code (zip)
Source code (tar.gz)
Download statistics:

Do I have to download all listed files into one holder of Window 10, run ghdl-0.35-mcode-windows.installer.ps1 and that's all?

Thank you.

Weng
 
On 09/12/2018 01:46, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 8:22:38 AM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
On Friday, December 7, 2018 at 1:27:55 PM UTC-5, Weng Tianxiang wrote:
On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 5:33:03 PM UTC-8, KJ wrote:
I prefer Modelsim but I did try GHDL. It works under Windows as well, which is what I used.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I registered an account in GitHub, and I found I missed and could not find GHDL in any version.

Could you please give me the website to download GitHub window version?

Thank you.

Weng

https://github.com/ghdl/ghdl/releases

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Thank you very much !!!

I am not an experienced application user. Here I copied all related download file names from the website you suggested above:
Click to expand...

<snip>

Why not use the Windows executables?
http://ghdl.free.fr/site/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Download



--
Mike Perkins
Video Solutions Ltd
www.videosolutions.ltd.uk
 
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