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01 - Getting Started

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Get a brief overview of installation with various requirements and options. 

  • Hardware and Software Requirements 

Hardware and Software Requirements 

You can quickly find the information you need to install Cadence® Allegro® X and OrCAD® X release 24.1 products. 

Refer to the README file in the OrCAD X/Allegro X 24.1 (SPB231) tabs of the Cadence® Downloads page for current and detailed requirements information listing the hardware and software requirements across products and compatibility information for different software. To access the Cadence downloads link, you must have an active Cadence license.

This section describes the system requirements for Windows. 

Cadence Allegro X and OrCAD X products are integrated directly with Windows; the products support hardware and peripherals supported by Windows. A list of hardware and peripherals officially supported by Windows can be obtained from the Microsoft web page. 

The products require updating certain Microsoft libraries in the Windows directory. You must install the Cadence software using either a standalone install or a client install. You may not be able to point to the software without installing.  

Operating System 

Windows 11 (64-bit Professional and Enterprise); Windows 10 (64-bit Professional and Enterprise); Windows Server 2019; Windows Server 2022.  

Cadence Allegro X and OrCAD X products do not support Windows 10 Starter and Home Basic. In addition, Windows Server support does not include support for Windows Remote Desktop. Windows RT and Tablets/Phones, including Windows 10 Phone, are not supported. 
64-bit Windows requires 64-bit Flex software dongle drivers if using dongle-based licensing. 
Allegro X EDM Flow Manager is not supported on Windows Server 2019. 
 

Recommended Hardware 

Intel® Core™ i7 4.30 GHz or AMD Ryzen™ 7 4.30 GHz with at least 4 cores 

Faster processors are preferred.     

16 GB RAM     

50 GB free disk space (SSD drive is recommended)     

1920 x 1200 display resolution with true color (at least 32bit color)     

A dedicated graphics card supporting OpenGL, minimum 2GB (with additional support for DX11 for 3D Canvas)     

Dual monitors (For physical design)     

Broadband Internet connection for some service     

Ethernet port/card (for network communications and security hostID)     

Three-button Microsoft-compatible mouse     

Network Interface Cards (NICs) 

A network interface card (NIC) is the preferred locking method used in licensing to enable the products to run on a computer. Each NIC is programmed with an address that is sufficiently unique to enable its use as a hardware lock. 

You can use the NIC in a laptop computer as your locking method, but you should be aware that in some laptops NICs are disabled if the laptops are not attached to a network. If your laptop’s NIC is disabled, you will not be able to run any products. 

Dongles 

If your locking method is a dongle, attach the dongle to the appropriate parallel or USB port of the computer before you begin the installation. Click Cancel when the Windows generated Found New Hardware dialog appears. The dongle drivers will automatically install during the License Manager Installation. 

The following dongle is supported for Release 24.1: 

  • FLEXid USB dongle (version 10)
  • FLEXid USB dongle (version 9)

Cadence License File 

In order to run the Cadence Allegro X and OrCAD X products, you must have a valid license file (LICENSE.TXT) issued by Cadence.

View the next document: 02 - License Manager.

If you have any questions or comments about the OrCAD X platform, click on the link below.

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