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ChrisBonser's avatar
ChrisBonser
Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
9 months ago

Questa License Issue

I am having difficulty installing a Questa License. I currently have a license (trial, but plan on purchasing a real license once things are setup), for Quartus . The Quartus trial license allows me to compile and download to the MitySOM devkit I have. However, when I try to run the simulator, or the vsim I get this error message:

C:\intelFPGA\23.1std\questa_fe\win64>vsim
Unable to checkout a license. Make sure your license file environment variable (SALT_LICENSE_SERVER, MGLS_LICENSE_FILE, LM_LICENSE_FILE)
is set correctly and then run 'lmutil lmdiag' to diagnose the problem.
Unable to checkout a license. Vsim is closing.
** Error: Invalid license environment. Application closing.

when I run lmutil lmdiag, it seems everything is ok. I have tried with multiple licenses as I have an ethernet mac, a wifi mac, and bluetooth mac on this laptop.

C:\intelFPGA\23.1std\questa_fe\win64>lmutil lmdiag
lmutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2019 Flexera. All Rights Reserved.
FlexNet diagnostics on Thu 2/27/2025 15:42

-----------------------------------------------------
License file: c:\intelFPGA\LR-221392_License.dat
-----------------------------------------------------
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Installation & Licensing

8 Replies

  • ShengN_altera's avatar
    ShengN_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    9 months ago

    Hi,


    Make sure you have follow the steps in this document https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/22-1/and-software-license.html:

    On Windows System

    1. Go to This PC, right-click, and select Properties.
    2. Click Advanced System Setting.
    3. In the Advanced tab, select Environment Variable.
    4. Under System variables, create a new variable with the name as LM_LICENSE_FILE and value as <license.dat file path>.
    5. Click OK and restart the Questa* software.

    Alternatively, open a command prompt and run the following command to set up the LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable:

    setx LM_LICENSE_FILE <path_to_license_file>;%LM_LICENSE_FILE%



    On Linux System

    Run one of the following commands in a command prompt window:

    export LM_LICENSE_FILE=<path to license>:$LM_LICENSE_FILE

    setenv LM_LICENSE_FILE "<path_to_license_file>"




  • ShengN_altera's avatar
    ShengN_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    9 months ago

    Hi,


    I test from my side without problem. Could you try to re-generate the questa Starter edition license?

    Also, try to use command setx LM_LICENSE_FILE <path_to_license_file>;%LM_LICENSE_FILE%


    Thanks,

    Regards,

    Sheng


  • ShengN_altera's avatar
    ShengN_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    9 months ago

    Hi,


    Forgot to mention try to put LM_LICENSE_FILE variable in User variables for cbons.


    • ChrisBonser's avatar
      ChrisBonser
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      9 months ago

      Ok,

      I have tried your suggestions and still get the same results.

      I have two projects one from the intel site as a sample application.

      https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/703090/21-1/open-the-example-design.html

      When I run the simulator on this one I get this dialog.

      I also have another project from the client we are working with (which I can not give much detail for NDA reasons), but when I run the simulator on this project I get this dialog (not sure if this is pre or post the license file).

      This is how I start the simulator, maybe I am just doing something wrong ?

      Thanks,

      Chris

  • ShengN_altera's avatar
    ShengN_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    9 months ago

    Hi,


    I know your problem. You're using questa_fe, please use questa_fse (starter edition) when installing. I think you're using this license

    Questa*-Intel® FPGA Starter Edition (License: SW-QUESTA)

    The trial license only works for starter edition.


    Thanks,

    Regards,

    Sheng


    • ChrisBonser's avatar
      ChrisBonser
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      9 months ago

      At this point we can close this one. I will open other tickets up as necessary.


      Thank you.