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ID: 1031
Case Type: faq
Category: Installation
Related To: ispVM System-Win 7
Family: All Devices

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ispLEVER Classic / Installation: Does the tool can be installed in 64-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows Vista?

Solution:

No, it does not. The ispLEVER is not supported for 64-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows Vista.

This FAQ is intended to help facilitate running ispLever on one of these two operating systems.


ispLEVER is fully supported in 32-bit Windows XP and 32-bit Windows Vista. It is necessary to run one of the supported Windows operating systems as a virtualized guest of the host 64-bit operating system.

There are two techniques that the Lattice applications group has used to run ispLever on 64-bit Windows operating systems. Both methods used 32-bit Windows XP as the guest operating system.

The Lattice applications group can not help debug issues arising from the use of any specific virtualization technology.

1. Windows Virtual PC or the Windows XP Compatible Mode.
Microsoft provides a free virtualization tool called Windows Virtual PC. It can be downloaded, along with the full Windows XP from their website. Click here to go to the Microsoft website.

You have to run the Lattice ispLever tools from inside the virtual machine. Tools installed in the Windows XP Mode are automatically available for launch in Windows 7 Start menu. Although these tools are running on the Windows XP kernel, there are still a few issues. So it is advised that you launch the Windows XP Virtual PC, and then run ispLEVER tools inside the virtual PC.

There are few things to note while running Windows Virtual PC.
When you initiate Windows Virtual PC the virtual machine is accessed as a "remote desktop". ispLEVER is not supported while running on remote desktops.
Make sure you activate the "Disable Integration Features" of Windows Virtual PC. You can do this from the Tools menu in the Windows Virtual PC.

Disabling the integration mode also disables file transfer between host and virtual machine. In order to be able to transfer files between the two machines, you need to create a shared folder. Create a new folder in Windows 7, right click and select Sharing. Click on the Advanced Sharing button. The next window allows you to add users who can access the folder. Type "Guest" without quotes, and click on Add. The new folder is added at the bottom pane of the window. Also change the Access from Read to Read and Write. This is done because Windows XP initiates access requests as a Guest. Windows 7 provides a more secure user access.

In this mode, you should be able to run the tools without issues.

2. Third Party Virtualization Software
Another option is to use third party virtualization software. The Lattice applications group has successfully used VMWare Workstation 7.x to support 64-bit Windows operating systems. The information described here is a direct result of our experience with this tool. Lattice does not endorse the use of any particular virtualization tool, and other solutions may be equally successful.

Third party virtualization tools run independently. They typically provide greater flexibility and control of the system resources assigned to the guest operating system.

It is important that the guest operating system provide the necessary access to the ispLever license file.

* If you are using a floating license, make sure the guest operating system has network access to the FLEXLM server. Network configuration in virtualization tools are usually very flexible making specific directions about providing network configuration difficult. Consult with an expert in configuring networks if you are unable to gain access to the FLEXLM server.
* If you are using a node locked local license, you make sure the Network Interface Card (NIC) address of the guest operating system matches the license file provided by Lattice. If the NIC inside the license file differs from the NIC supplied by the guest operating system you will need to request a new license file.