Running the Xilinx Tools on Linux (read this!)
In the first release, only a Linux host environment is supported for PetaLinux. This means that you must either
- Split your development across multiple machines (Xilinx ISE/EDK under Windows, PetaLinux under Linux), or
- Install the Xilinx tools under Linux.
Option (1) is discussed in some length in the User Guide under Non-standard PetaLinux installations.
However, the benefits of PetaLinux and the AutoConfig flow are most effectively realised when you have both your hardware and software development tools on the same machine. For this, you need to install the Xilinx tools onto a Linux workstation. This is not hard, if you read and abserve the following.
Choice of Linux Distribution
Why does it matter? For the most part, the trouble comes with the device drivers for JTAG programming (USB and Parallel Cable IV).
The Linux distributions officially supported by Xilinx are RedHat EnterPrize Linux 4 and 5 (RHEL 4/5).
However, if you do not wish to purchase RHEL, there is another option.
CentOS (Community Enterprize Operating System) is a binary and source level clone of RHEL, and is 100% compatible with the Xilinx tools.
For that reason, PetaLogix uses and recommends CentOS Versions 4 or 5 as their Linux distribution.
Installing Linux on your workstation
CentOS is very easy to install - see the CentOS 3 documentation and release notes for details.
When you are asked what kind of installation, choose "Workstation" - it will make sure you have everything you need for a fully functional development system.
Installing the Xilinx Tools (Version 10.X)
Introduction
You should always install the Xilinx tools into directories whos names reflect the tool version. For example
ISE: /opt/pkg/xilinx/ise10.1
EDK: /opt/pkg/xilinx/edk10.1
This makes it quite easy to keep older versions of the tools around, and switch between them as you need to.
The following instructions assume that you have root access, and that you will be installing the Xilinx tools into the recommended path prefix /opt/pkg/xilinx
A note on installation directories
When installing a new version of Xilinx tools onto machines where an older version already exists, the Xilinx tools generally default to installing over the top of the old versions. You should always override this behaviour, and install the tools in directories named according to the software version numbers.
ISE 10.1
Become the root user:
[user@host]$ su Password:******** [root@host]#
Insert the installer DVD and run the setup application as described by Xilinx in their installation instructions.
When asked to choose the installation path, enter /opt/pkg/xilinx/10.1/ISE
Say "yes" when asked if you wish to install the JTAG cable drivers.
The rest of the installation should proceed according to Xilinx's instructions.
EDK 10.1
Similarly to ISE, follow Xilinx's instructions.
When asked, specify the installation directory /opt/pkg/xilinx/10.1/EDK
Service Packs
Install any service packs and IP updates available for the Xilinx tools. See the respective ISE and EDK pages on the Xilinx website for details.
JTAG cable drivers
You now need to update the device drivers for the JTAG cables (USB and parallel port).
Follow the instructions in Xilinx Answer Record 18612.
Other resources
Apart from the Xilinx answers archive, ther eare other useful resources on the web to help with running Xilinx tools under various Linux kernel versions and distributions.
