SDRAM memory initialization

Hi all,

What is the best way to initialize the SDRAM with values and is there some way this process can be automated - I know with on-chip RAM you can provide a .MIF file to initialize the memory and would like to be able to do a similar thing with the SDRAM. Any ideas? If doing it using some sort of initialisation file isn't possible, then whats the next best thing?

If it helps, I am not using any sort of NIOS processor on the board (and need to keep it that way ;)), and its a Cyclone DEII board.

This is my first post so apologies for any break in etiquette,

Emma