========================================================================
README File for the Alliance Series 1.4 Software Release
========================================================================

Welcome to the Alliance Series 1.4 software from Xilinx! 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 + Package Contents
 + Tips on Accessing Known Issues
 + Training Information
 + Answers to Your Technical Questions
 + Security Tips 
 + Training Information
 + Required Memory and Swap Space
 + Required Disk Space
 + PC Platforms Supported
 + Workstation Platforms Supported
 + Architectures Supported
 + Design Entry Netlists Supported
 + High-Profile Known Issues 

PACKAGE CONTENTS
  The contents of your package will vary depending on what you ordered.
  Following is a description of items that appear in the basic Alliance 
  products.
 
  Design Implementation Tools CD - This CD contains the Xilinx software
  tools.  Install this first.

  CAE Libraries CD - This CD contains libraries for Viewlogic, Synopsys,
  Mentor and Cadence.  Since the Viewlogic libraries are also on the NT Design
  Implementation Tools CD, the CAE Libraries CD is only required for customers
  using Synopsys, Mentor or Cadence on HP or Sparc workstations. This CD is
  not supplied with the Alliance PC version of the software.

  On-line Documentation CD - This CD contains the Xilinx manuals and
  Guides.  The DynaText browser is included here and on the Design
  Implementation Tools CD.

  READ ME FIRST document - The READ ME FIRST file contains some important tips 
  about the Alliance software. Some of the information in that document is
  duplicated in this electronic README file.

  Alliance Quick Start Guide - This book includes a description of the 1.4
  software and how to use it, plus a brief installation guide.

  Alliance Series 1.4 Install and Release Document - This document includes 
  a detailed installation guide and a list of known problems, devices
  supported, new features, and workarounds.

  Xilinx Software Conversion Guide from XACTstep v5.x to this 1.4 release.
  This guide explains how to migrate existing design files for use with 1.4
  software.

  Xilinx Registration Card - You must fill out this form to register your new 
  software. If you are receiving a software update, this card will not be
  included in your package.

  License and Registration Instructions and M1 License Request Form - The
  License and Registration Instructions sheet explains various methods for 
  licensing and registering your software: World Wide Web, FAX, telephone, and
  email. You can fax the M1 License Request Form to license/register your 
  software.

  Using the Online Documentation Card - One section of this card contains a
  Documentation Survey form. After you have used the DynaText online
  documentation, please evaluate the documentation and return this form to
  Xilinx. Another section of this card provides a quick reference to the 
  DynaText browser.


TIPS ON ACCESSING KNOWN ISSUES

  There are several ways that you can obtain information about Xilinx Known 
  Issues: 
  
   + the Xilinx Web site
   + the Answers DynaText collection
   + the hardcopy Alliance Series 1.4 Install and Release Document 
   + the hardcopy READ ME FIRST document
   + the last section, High-Profile Known Issues, of this README file

  Xilinx recommends that you access Known Issues through its Web site to obtain
  the most reliable and up-to-date information. To access, perform the follow 
  steps:

    1. From the Web, access Xilinx from the URL http://www.xilinx.com.
    2. Click on Answers.
    3. Click on Answers Search.
    4. Place check marks in the boxes of the topics you would like to search.
    5. Enter text in the search box.
    6. Click Smart Search to begin search.

  If you cannot access the Web, the CD Answers DynaText online document, which
  is located on the Design Implementation Tools CD, also contains the M1 Known
  Issues. 

  To access the collection from a PC, perform the following steps:

    1. With your browser installed, select Start --> Programs --> Xilinx -->
       Online Docs 

    2. Once the DynaText Library window displays, click "Answers" in the
       Collections window pane.

    3. The "Answers" book displays in the Books window pane. Double click on the
       book title to open.

  To access the collection from a workstation, perform the following steps:

    1. Proceed as follows:

       If your browser is installed on your hard disk drive, enter the command,
       dtext, at the command line prompt. 

       If you want to read the documents from the CD-ROM, enter

           $XILINX_CD/bin/{platform}/dtext

       at the UNIX prompt.

    2. Once the DynaText Library window displays, click "Answers" in the
       Collections window pane.

    3. The "Answers" book displays in the Books window pane. Double click on the
       book title to open.
    
  The Alliance Series 1.4 Install and Release Document contains descriptions
  for critical Known Issues, a limited subset of the all M1 Known Issues.
  Xilinx recommends that you read these Known Issues before using the Xilinx
  Development Software.

  The hardcopy READ ME FIRST document describes late-breaking Known Issues 
  and high-profile Known issues that might affect numerous users.

  The last section of this README file also contains very high-profile Known
  issues.

TRAINING INFORMATION

   Xilinx's one day M1 Software Update Course costs $99 and is focused on the
   new features of the M1 software release. It will be offered for a limited
   time at regional sites, by Xilinx distributors, or it can be brought to your
   facility. This course is intended for customers who have already attended a
   Xilinx course or have experience using Xilinx software.
   
   Browse the Xilinx Web site at http://www.xilinx.com for
   scheduled course dates, or contact the Xilinx Education Registrar at
   1-408-879-5090 in San Jose, Ca. for further assistance in locating a
   scheduled course or the holding of an update training session at your
   facility.

ANSWERS TO YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
   For the most up-to-date Answers to your technical questions on Xilinx
   products (including this software), consult the Answers area at
   http://www.xilinx.com.  Those without access to the Web can find Answers
   for this software release that were known at the time of release in the
   "Answers" electronic book within the Dynatext viewer shipped with this
   software.

SECURITY TIPS 

  1. For a PC floating license, determine the correct
     server name by selecting Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network ->
     Identification.

  2. Check that the PATH, XILINX, and LM_LICENSE_FILE variables are
     pointing to valid paths.

  3. Make sure the checksum in the license.dat file is correct. On the PC
     run the lmtools.exe application located in %XILINX%\bin\nt. When the
     lmtools window appears, click on Checksum. On workstations use the
     following command to give a checksum:

        lmutil lmcksum /full_path_name/license.dat
     
     Compare the checksum with the checksum in the license.dat file.

  4. If you have multiple tools that use FLEXlm, then use the newest
     versions of lmgrd, lmtools, and lmutil to run the license manager
     software.

  5. Xilinx currently uses v5.12 of the FLEXlm software.

  6. To determine the version of the FLEXlm software on your system,
     run the following command on the workstation:

      <full_path_name>/lmutil lmver lmgrd

     On the PC open the lmtools window and click on Version.

  7. To start a license server on a PC, after setting
     up the PATH, XILINX, and LM_LICENSE_FILE variables,
     go to a DOS shell and run the following command:

      <full_path_name>\lmgrd -app -c <licensefile>

     where <licensefile> is the full path name to your license file

     To start a license server on a UNIX workstation, after setting
     up the PATH, XILINX, and LM_LICENSE_FILE variables,
     from the command line prompt, run the following command:

     $XILINX/bin/<platform>/lmgrd -c $XILINX/data/license.dat -l /tmp/lmgrd.log

     where <platform> is the type of computer, for example, sun. The lmgrd
     program will run as a batch job, logging its activity to the named log
     file.

  8. If the license manager has trouble starting, or a licensed executable,
     like NGDBuild or MAP gives a security error, run the following
     command to obtain additional information on your license manager:

      lmutil lmdiag

     On the PC open the lmtools window and click on Diagnostics.

  9. On a PC, confirm your license file name. It should be C:\FLEXLM\LICENSE.DAT
     if using default values. Some PC applications such as WORD may append
     suffixes to the file name and cause licensing to fail. If the
     LM_LICENSE_FILE is not set, the file MUST be C:\FLEXLM\LICENSE.DAT.   

 10. To obtain a software license security code, please call Customer Service 
     at 1-800-624-4782 or fax information to 1-408-559-0115.  Please provide 
     the following information:  product name (e.g. PR-ALI-STD-PC), serial
     number from the registration card and your ethernet hardware address 
     (12 hex digits) or your C Drive serial number (PCs).

REQUIRED MEMORY AND SWAP SPACE
  
  This section provides two tables illustrating the memory and swap space
  required for workstations and PCs.

		UNIX Memory and Swap Space Requirements
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  Xilinx Devices                RAM             Swap Space 			
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  XC3000A/L                     64MB            64MB - 128MB	
  XC3100A/L	
  XC4000E/L
  XC4028EX through XC4036EX
  XC4002XL through XC4028XL
  XC5200
  XC9500 (small devices)
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  XC4036XL through XC4062XL     128MB           128 MB - 256 MB
  XC9500 (large devices)
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  XC4085XL                      256MB           256 MB - 512 MB
  XC40125XV
  -------------------------------------------------------------



		PC Memory and Virtual Memory Requirements
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Xilinx Devices                      RAM           Virtual Memory
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  XC3000A/L                           32MB           32MB - 64MB
  XC3100A/L		
  XC4003E/L through XC4008E/L
  XC4005XL through XC4008XL
  XC5202 through XC5206
  XC9500 (small devices only)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  XC4010E/L through XC4025E/L         64MB           64MB - 128MB
  XC4028EX through XC4036EX
  XC4010XL through XC4028XL
  XC5210 through XC5215
  XC9500 (medium devices only)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  XC4036XL through XC4062XL           128MB          128MB - 256MB
  XC9500 (large devices)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  XC4085XL                            256MB          256MB - 512MB
  XC40125XV
  -----------------------------------------------------------------


REQUIRED DISK SPACE 

 This section describes the disk space requirements for workstations and PCs.

 Required Disk Space for Design Implementation Tools CD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Data         Sun      Sol      95/NT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Xilinx Tools (1)                        ~12MB        ~96MB    ~98MB    ~27MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3000 (2)                              ~3.4MB       ~1.3MB   ~1.2MB   ~.7MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3000A  (3)                            ~4.7MB        No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3000L  (3)                            ~1MB          No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3100  (4)                             ~2MB          No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3100A (5)                             ~4.4MB        No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC3100L  (6)                            ~1MB          No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000  (8)                             ~1.2MB       ~2MB      ~2MB   ~1.3MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000E                               ~30MB total    ~.5MB   ~.25MB   ~.25MB
  4003E, 4005E, 40006E, 4008E, 4010E     ~15MB        ~.5MB   ~.25MB   ~.25MB
  4013E                                  ~4MB         ~.5MB   ~.25MB   ~.25MB
  4020E, 4025E                           ~8MB         ~.5MB   ~.25MB   ~.25MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000L  (9)                         ~2MB total        No Significant Amount
  4005L, 4010L                          ~1.1MB          No Significant Amount
  4013L                                  ~.6MB          No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000EX  (10)                       ~17MB total     ~.25MB  ~.25MB   ~.25MB
  4028EX                                 ~7MB         ~.25MB  ~.25MB   ~.25MB
  4036EX                                 ~8MB         ~.25MB  ~.25MB   ~.25MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000XL  (11)                       ~86MB total      ~1MB     ~1MB    ~.5MB
  4002XL, 4005XL, 4010XL, 4013XL        ~24MB          ~1MB     ~1MB    ~.5MB
  4020XL, 4028XL, 4036XL, 4044XL        ~25MB          ~1MB     ~1MB    ~.5MB
  4052XL, 4062XL, 4085XL                ~35MB          ~1MB     ~1MB    ~.5MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC4000XV  (12)                       ~18MB total     ~.25MB  ~.25MB   ~.25MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC5200                                  ~11MB         ~2MB     ~2MB    ~1MB
   5202, 5204, 5206, 5210                ~6MB          ~2MB     ~2MB    ~1MB
   5215                                  ~3MB          ~2MB     ~2MB    ~1MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CPLDs  (13)                             N/A           ~20MB   ~20MB    ~6MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XC9500  (13)                           ~.25MB        No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Spartan  (14)                           ~6MB         No Significant Amount
  XCS05, XCS10                           ~2MB         No Significant Amount
  XCS20, XCS30, XCS40                    ~3MB         No Significant Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Non-numeric XC4000E                     ~3MB         ~.5MB    ~.25MB   ~.25MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Non-numeric XC4000EX                    ~3MB         ~.25MB   ~.25MB   ~.25MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Documentation                        ~30MB total
   Online Help                                         ~10MB    ~10MB     ~2MB
   Documentation Browser                 ~17MB
   Xilinx Tutorial Files                 ~9MB
   Xilinx Userware                       ~4MB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
(1)
  The DynaText browser and its online books are not included. If you install
  more than one platform, the data directory is only installed once. For example,
  if you install both SunOS and Solaris, the total disk space for the Design
  Implementation Tools is:

     data (12 MB) + SunOS (96 MB) + Solaris (98 MB) = ~206 MB

  Note: You must run the installation program twice to install two platforms.

(2)
  Installed once when any number of XC30* or XC31* software components are
  installed. For example, if you install the XC3100A, then all files in the 
  xc3000/data and the xc3000/bin/platform directories are also automatically 
  installed.

(3) 
  If you install the XC3000A or XC3000L, then all files in the xc3000/data
  and the xc3000/bin/platform directories are also automatically installed.

(4)
  Installed once when any number of XC31* software components are installed.
  For example, if you install the XC3100A, then all files in the xc3100/data
  directory are also automatically installed.

(5)
  If you install the XC3100A, then all files in the xc3000/data,
  xc3000/bin/platform, xc3100/data, and xc3000a directories are also
  automatically installed.

(6)
  If you install the XC3100L, then all files in the xc3000/data,
  xc3000/bin/platform, xc3100/data, and xc3000l directories are also
  automatically installed.

(7)
  Installed once when any number of XC4* software components are installed.
  For example, if you install the XC4000EX, then all files in the xc4000/data
  and the xc4000/bin/platform directories are also automatically installed.

(8)
  If you install any of the XC4000E software components, then all files in
  the xc4000/data and the xc4000/bin/platform directories are also
  automatically installed.

(9)
  The files not beginning with a numeral in the xc4000e/data directory and
  the xc4000e/bin/platform directory are also installed when the xc4000l
  is installed.

(10)
  The files not beginning with a numeral in the xc4000e/data directory and
  the xc4000e/bin/platform directory are also installed when the xc4000ex
  is installed.

(11)
  The files not beginning with a numeral in the xc4000e/data and the
  xc4000e/bin/platform directories are installed when the xc4000xl is
  installed. In addition, the files not beginning with a numeral in the
  xc4000ex/data and the xc4000ex/bin/platform directories are also
  installed when the xc4000xl is installed.

(12)
  The files not beginning with a numeral in the xc4000e/data and the
  xc4000e/bin/platform directories are installed when the xc4000xv is
  installed. In addition, the files not beginning with a numeral in the
  xc4000ex/data and the xc4000ex/bin/platform directories are also
  installed when the xc4000xv is installed.

(13)
  Platform-specific files are installed for XC9500 devices.

(14)
  The files not beginning with a numeral in the xc4000e/data directory and
  the xc4000e/bin/platform directory are also installed when any of the
  spartan software components are installed


Example 1: Design Implementation Tools Installation -- Single Sun Platform

    Assume that you have installed the Sun platform, all the subcomponents
    for the XC4000XL, and the online help and documentation browser
    subcomponents.

    Disk space requirements are as follows:

    Xilinx Design Implementation Tools = 12 MB (Data) + 96 MB (Sun) = 108MB
    xc4000xl = 87 MB (Data + Sun files)
    non-numeric xc4000e/data files + Sun = 3 MB + .5 MB
    non-numeric xc4000ex/data files + Sun = 3 MB + .25 MB
    xc4000 = 1.2 MB (Data) + 2 MB (Sun) = 3.2 MB
    Online Help (10 MB) + browser (17 MB) = 27 MB
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Total = ~232 MB


Example 2: Design Implementation Tools Installation -- Multiple Platforms

    Assume that you have installed the Sun and HP platforms, all the
    subcomponents for the XC4000EX, the XC4013E, and the entire
    documentation software component.

    Note: You must run the installation program twice to install two platforms.

    Disk space requirements are as follows:

    Xilinx Tools= 12 MB (Data) + 96 MB (Sun) + 108 MB (HP) = 216 MB
    xc4000ex = 17.25 MB (Data + Sun files)
    non-numeric xc4000e/data + Sun + HP = 3 MB + .5 MB + . 5 MB
    xc4013e = 4 MB (Data) + 1 MB (Sun, HP files) = 5 MB
    xc4000 = 1.2 MB (Data) + 2 MB (Sun) + 3 MB (HP) = 6.2 MB
    Documentation = 30 MB
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total = 216 MB + 17.25 MB + 4 MB + 5 MB + 6.2MB + 30 MB = ~279 MB



 Required Disk Space for CAE Tools CD (Workstation only): ~262MB
  Mentor:	 ~68MB
  Synopsys:	 ~113MB
  Viewlogic:	 ~25MB
  Cadence:	 ~56MB

 Required Disk Space For Documentation CD: ~187MB total (Workstation)
					   ~121MB total (PC)
  DynaText Browser: ~17MB
  Core Online book files: ~6MB
  Xilinx Online Documentation: ~164MB total (Workstation)
			        ~98MB total (PC)

    Cadence Graphics Interface/Tutorial Guide: ~18MB (Workstation only)
    CPLD Schematic Design Guide: ~2MB
    CPLD Synthesis Design Guide: ~2MB
    Design Manager/Flow Engine Reference/User Guide: ~19MB
    Development System Reference Guide: ~3MB
    Development System User Guide: ~2MB
    EPIC Design Editor Reference/User Guide: ~7MB
    Hardware Debugger Reference/User Guide: ~7MB
    Hardware User Guide: ~1MB
    JTAG Programmer Guide: ~2.5MB
    Libraries Guide: ~12MB
    LogiBLOX Reference/User Guide: ~4MB
    Mentor Graphics Interface/Tutorial Guide: ~47MB  (Workstation only)
    PROM File Formatter Reference/User Guide: ~4MB
    Quick Start Guide for Xilinx Alliance Series 1.4: ~4MB
    Synopsys (XSI) Interface/Tutorial Guide: ~2MB (Workstation only)
    Timing Analyzer Reference/User Guide: ~7MB
    Viewlogic Interface/Tutorial Guide: ~21MB

PC PLATFORMS SUPPORTED

 + Windows NT 4.0
 + Windows 95

WORKSTATION PLATFORMS SUPPORTED

 + SunOS Version 4.1.3, 4.1.4
 + Solaris 2.5 (5.5/5.5.1)
 + HP 10.2

ARCHITECTURES SUPPORTED

 The following families are supported in this release: XC3000A, XC3000L,
 XC3100A, XC3100L, XC4000E, XC4000L, XC4000EX, XC4000XL, XC4000XV, XC5200,
 XC9500, and Spartan.  Synthesis libraries are also available for these
 families.

DESIGN ENTRY NETLIST FORMATS SUPPORTED
 
 + EDIF 2.0.0 (Recommended)
 + XNF

HIGH-PROFILE KNOWN ISSUES

   Case Sensitivity - The M1 software is case sensitive in general (XACTstep
   5.x/6.x was not).  If you get errors relating to timespecs or signals that
   cannot be found, check to make sure you are consistent when using upper or
   lower case.

   XACTstep 5.x/6.x Designs - The M1 software will work with designs created
   from previous versions of XACTstep software.  It is recommended that internal
   (CLB) constraints be removed from these designs because constraints that were
   designed to help XACTstep 5.x/6.x place and route may actually degrade
   performance in M1.
