Xilinx Foundation 1.5 Software CD Installation Instructions

Two CDs containing Xilinx Foundation 1.5 software are packaged with most domestic and international printings of the third edition. The user license and installation instructions for this software appear on pages 947-950 of the book, as well as here (.pdf, 26K). Most users will be performing a new installation and can skip Section IA in the Xilinx instructions.

Installation tips:

• There are two main steps to the installation. The first step is to install the software from CD #1 and the documentation (if desired) from CD #2. During this step, you will use the "CD key" number that appears in the installation instructions referenced above.
• In the second step, you must register the software and obtain a "license.dat" file to actually run the synthesis tools that you installed from CD #1. This is where you will use the unique serial number that is printed on the pink card included with the CDs packaged at the back of your book.. You must go to Xilinx' automated Web site, http://university.xilinx.com/univ/xsepre.htm, to obtain a personalized "license.dat" file based on your unique serial number on the pink card.
• When you submit your license request to the Xilinx site, it will automatically e-mail your customized license file to the address you gave on the form. After making one request, check your email; the license file should arrive within a few minutes.
• Install the license file using the following steps:
  • Quit the Foundation application if you're already running it.
  • Locate the "data" folder in your foundation folder (C:/fdtn/data in a typical installation). Change the name of the license.dat file in this folder to "license.dat.old" in case you need to restore it later.
  • Save the e-mail message containing the license info into a text-only file in this folder, using the name "license.dat".
  • Edit the license.dat file to remove any mail headers and other information, up to but not including the lines:

    #
    # Xilinx XSE License File for (your name)
    #

    Be sure to save the file in "text-only" format.

• After installing the license.dat file, start the Foundation application. Synthesis features should now be available (it should no longer complain about lacking a Synopsys license).

In order to place and route some designs, you may eventually have to update your Foundation software. Don't bother with this now.

For additional support, students should refer to their instructor, to their teaching assistant, to support.xilinx.com, or to the Xilinx Student Edition Frequently Asked Questions page. The last two [or three ;-) ] resources are usually available 24 hours a day. Live Xilinx technical support (telephone or email) is not offered for the Xilinx Student Edition package.