Yashas2801/Install_questasim_arch.md

## Install_questasim_arch.md

      
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              Install_questasim_arch.md
            
          
    Installing QuestaSim 2021.2_1 on Arch Linux

This guide outlines the process of installing Mentor Graphics QuestaSim 2021.2_1 on Arch Linux (rolling release as of April 5, 2025). Arch’s minimalist nature requires specific dependencies and occasional manual tweaks.
Note: This guide includes unofficial license activation methods, which are not recommended. If you can obtain an official license from Siemens, that’s the best approach. This is intended for individuals using it for non-commercial learning purposes only. Proceed at your own discretion.

Installing Dependencies

Arch requires 32-bit libraries and tools for compatibility with Mentor Graphics software. Install these:
sudo pacman -Syu  # Update system
sudo pacman -S lib32-glibc lib32-gcc-libs lib32-libxft lib32-ncurses lib32-libxext libxft ncurses libxext

lib32-*: 32-bit libraries for compatibility (Mentor tools often need these).
ncurses: For console-mode installer.
libxft, libxext: Font and X11 extension support.

Note: If some packages fail to install or aren’t found, you might need to enable the [multilib] repository in /etc/pacman.conf:

Edit the file:
sudo nvim /etc/pacman.conf

Uncomment these lines:
[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist


Update package database:
sudo pacman -Syu


Then retry the dependency installation.

Generate the License Key

You’ll need Python 2 to generate a license:
sudo python mgclicgen.py ab:cd:ef:gh:ij:kl 
Hint: Arch’s default python is Python 3. To use Python 2, install pyenv sudo pacman -S pyenv, set it to Python 2 (pyenv install 2.7.18 & pyenv local 2.7.18), and run python mgclicgen.py ab:cd:ef:gh:ij:kl.

Replace ab:cd:ef:gh:ij:kl with your machine’s Ethernet port MAC address (find it with ip link).
Example: Run ip link, look for your Ethernet interface (e.g., eth0 or enp0s3), and if it shows link/ether 12:34:56:78:9a:bc, use 12:34:56:78:9a:bc.
This generates a license.dat file in the current directory.


Install QuestaSim


Prepare the Installer:
Place questa_sim-2021.2_1.aol in a directory (e.g., ~/questa_installer/Setup/):
cd ~/questa_installer/Setup/
sudo chmod +x ./questa_sim-2021.2_1.aol


Run the Installer:
Use console mode (GUI may require extra setup):
sudo ./questa_sim-2021.2_1.aol 

Output example:
Installing Mentor Install version v6.0-010 to /root/mgc/install.aol
0%--10%--20%--30%--40%--50%--60%--70%--80%--90%--100%
Successfully installed Mentor Install to: /root/mgc/install.aol
Invoking Mentor Graphics Install to install bundle


Setup License


Copy Files:
Assuming you have license.dat and pubkey_verify from /licGen and /patch folders respectively:

/licGen and /patch are present in mentor2021_crack.zip; extract them.

cp /path/to/Crack/licGen/license.dat /path/to/Crack/patch/pubkey_verify /opt/questa_sim/
Replace /opt/questa_sim/ with your install directory (e.g., /home/user/questa_sim).


Apply Patch:
cd /opt/questa_sim/
sudo ./pubkey_verify -y
Expected output:
FTW done with ret code = 0, all file checked
Total search 22917 files.
Total 3 file are changed.


Add to System Environment Variables


Edit Shell Config:
Arch users might use Bash or Zsh. Edit the appropriate file:
cd ~
nvim .bashrc  # For Bash
# OR
nvim .zshrc   # For Zsh (common on Arch)


Add These Lines:
export PATH="/opt/questa_sim/linux_x86_64:$PATH"
export PATH="/opt/questa_sim/RUVM_2021.2:$PATH"
export LM_LICENSE_FILE="/opt/questa_sim/license.dat:$LM_LICENSE_FILE"

Adjust /opt/questa_sim/ to match your install directory.


Apply Changes:
source .bashrc  # or .zshrc


Launch QuestaSim

vsim

If it launches, you’re set. If it complains about licensing:

Make sure you used the correct MAC address (typically the Ethernet port’s MAC address works).
Verify the license file path in LM_LICENSE_FILE.


Notes


Rolling Release: Always update (pacman -Syu) before installing to avoid library issues.

Enjoy QuestaSim on Arch Linux!
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