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RandyL's avatar
RandyL
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26 days ago

Questa 2 licenses?

I got a new work PC (WIndows 11) recently, so I downloaded Quartus Prime Lite 25.1.  At the time, I also included Questa Altera Edition in the download.  But I didn't try to use Questa. 

Last week, I read the directions on going to the SSLC and got a license so I could start using Questa.  I got the license file, put it in a folder, and followed the directions to set it up in the Environment Variables.

I then tried to use Questa and I'm getting the error "Unable to Checkout a license. Make sure your license file environment variable (SALT_LICENSE_SERVER) is set correctly and then run 'lmutil lmdiag' to diagnose the problem."

So I dd that.  It seems that I have two license files.  One looks like it was set up automatically when I originally downloaded Quartus and Questa and the second that I got from the SSLC.

Looking in the Environment Variables, under User variables for [my_user_name], there is a variable SALT_LICENSE_FILE with a value of C:/Users/[my_user_name]/questa_lic.dat.  And under the System variables there is a variable called SALT_LICENSE_SERVER with a value of C:\[the_folder_I_setup].

I didn't set up the first environment variable.  The second one is the one I entered according to the instructions on the SSLC.  Looking at the first license file with a  text editor, I see that it is using the MAC address of my laptop's wifi adapter.  And looking at the second license file, I see that it is using the MAC address of my laptop's wired Ethernet adapter.  I think I was on wifi when I originally downloaded everything.  And I was wired when I got the license from the SSLC.

What should I do?  Which license file should it be using?  Why are there two variables and two license files?

Since the wifi and wired connections on any computer always have different MAC addresses, is it not possible to use Questa with both?  In other words will I always have to be using one of these connections and not the other?  That would stink.

Thanks.

6 Replies

  • ShengN_altera's avatar
    ShengN_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    25 days ago

    Hi,

    Please use SALT_LICENSE_SERVER and delete the SALT_LICENSE_FILE.

    Please use enabled and available mac address

    • RandyL's avatar
      RandyL
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      24 days ago

      Sheng thanks, but it still doesn't work.

      I deleted the user variable SALT_LICENSE_FILE and restarted my system.

      The system variable SALT_LICENSE_SERVER has a value of C:\altera_lite\Licenses.  (This is a folder I made to put the license into.)

       

      This folder contains one file called LR-154xxx_License.dat  (LR-144xxx is the name of my computer).

      From a command prompt, lmutil lmdiag says "Can't fetch the requested information! Kindly re-check the license file path and server details."

      ipconfig /all states that Ethernet adapter Ethernet2 has a physical address of 84-5C-31-3F-xx-xx (I'm hiding the full address...).  There are 3 other wireless LAN adapters listed, all are showing Media disconnected.  So it is using the wired connection.

      The contents of the LR-154xxx_License.dat file has correct MAC address.  Here are some snips from the file.

       

      This block is repeated with the same HOSTID, a different Altera SN, and different codes.

      What can I try next?

       

       

  • sstrell's avatar
    sstrell
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    24 days ago

    You have to point to the specific file in the environment variable SALT_LICENSE_SERVER, not the folder where the file is located..

    • RandyL's avatar
      RandyL
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      17 days ago

      Thanks sstrell and ShengN.  That was the problem, I just had the path, but not the actual filename there.  The instructions from the SSLC are not clear in this regard.  They just say to that the system variable value is the file path.  There is no mention of also including the actual license filename.