Unable to checkout a license for Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Design Software Version 23.1

[LC42]

Hi there,

I'm currently having a problem downloading the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Design Software Version 23.1 for Windows (FPGA Edition) for my course project. I've successfully created and downloaded the licence and added the necessary environment variables to my laptop. But every time I try to open Questa or Questa Sim, I get an error message. "Can't check out a licence."

I think I may have entered the hostID wrong when I was generating the license. I've tried checking the hostID by running "ipconfig /all" in the command prompt and selecting the MAC address of the Ethernet adapter VMware Network Adapter VMnet1, but the error is still there.

I would really like some advice from anyone who has had a similar problem. I don't have much time because I have a deadline for my course.

Thank you!

The following first figure shows my environment variable settings, and the second one shows the error message.

[sstrell]

Open the license file in a text editor to see if it has the correct MAC address.  If not, generate a new license with the correct address.

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

Alternatively, you can check your computer NIC ID in the Quartus Prime Software and cross check with your license file's HOSTID. Checkout the user guide below:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/25-1/finding-the-nic-id-in-the-software.html

Make sure that the intelqsim or intelqsimstarter feature is listed in the license file, depending on which Questa simulator tool you are using. (non-starter or starter edition)

- Additionally, check that the environment variable settings is set to a valid license path. An invalid or non-existing license path will cause the license checkout fail.  
The MGLS_LICENSE_FILE takes precedence over LM_LICENSE_FILE settings. Make sure the MGLS_LICENSE_FILE value is valid.


Regards,
Richard Tan

[LC42]

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your reply!

I followed your link to regenerate the license, updated the NIC ID, and found the Questa simulator tool in the license, but the configuration still didn't work.

My project only needs questasim from the package.I installed Questa-Intel FPGA Edition (including Starter Edition) first and selected the starter edition during installation. But after selecting Questa-FPGA Starter Edition (License: SW-QUESTA) in the Intel FPGA Self-Service Licensing Center and generating the license (I found intelqsimstarter in the license), it still failed. I suspect that I might not have found the correct license for my downloaded version. I'd appreciate it if you could help.

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

After you have generate the new license file, have you set the environment variable settings correctly to the new license file? 

Regards,
Richard Tan

[LC42]

Hi Richard, 

Yes, and I think my settings should be correct. Actually I previously had a version of ModelSim on my computer that also required a license, and my environment configuration worked for it. However, after changing the environment variables to the newly generated license, I still encounter errors.

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

Could you attached your newly generated license file .dat file here for further investigation?
May I know which Questa-Intel FPGA Edition version are you using? 
Try to remove the LM_LICENSE_FILE and use SALT_LICENSE_FILE instead. 

Regards,
Richard Tan

[LC42]

Hi Richard,

I've attached a screenshot of my license below.

I've installed the Intel FPGA Edition (Starter Edition) 2022.4(Windows OS), which includes Quartus Prime Pro 23.1.0.115, and selected Questa-Intel FPGA Starter Edition during the process.

As you suggested, I removed the environment variable SALT_LICENSE_FILE. This did eliminate the error message, but I'm still unable to open questasim.exe located in the .\intelFPGA_pro\23.1\questa_fse\win64 directory. After displaying the Questa logo, it crashes immediately without showing the normal software interface.

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

I see what is going wrong. 
You are using a floating license type. The setup that I provided previously is used for node-locked license type.
Could you generate a node-locked/fixed license type? 
Btw, are you planning to use a floating license or a fixed license? If you only use on a single designated computer, it is recommended to use node-locked/fixed license. 

• Fixed license—A stand-alone (node-locked, single-user) license is tied to the network interface card (NIC) ID of the computer on which you installed the software.
• Floating license—A floating network (multi-user) license is for users running the software on multiple computers connected on a network.

Regards,
Richard Tan

[LC42]

Hi Richard,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

FINALLY IT WORKS.

I generated a locked license and changed the environment variable MGLS_LICENSE_FILE. (SALT_LICENSE_FILE still couldn't open questasim.exe, but that's not an issue.) As I'm using the software on my personal laptop, I don't mind whether the license is Fixed or Floating.

Once again, thank you for your help. Hope you have a nice day (or night because of the time zone difference ^_^)!

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

You're welcome. I am happy to help. 
Have a great day and enjoy the simulation!

Regards,
Richard Tan

[LC42]

(this is a false post and plz ignore it ^^)

[RichardTanSY_Altera]

Now, I will transitioning this thread to community support. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please login to https://supporttickets.intel.com/s/?language=en_US , view details of the desire request, and post a feed/response within the next 15 days to allow me to continue to support you. After 15 days, this thread will be transitioned to community support.

The community users will be able to help you on your follow-up questions.

Thank you and have a great day!

Best Regards,

Richard Tan