Xilinx upgrade issues

Generally Foundation has always covered all current devices. Webpack covered most of low end Spartan families. Base-X covered a little bit more than Webpack - all the low end Spartans and a few higher end Virtex.

What they have done if the words are correct is moved Webpack a slight notch to cover a few extra devices. There used to be some tools not supplied in Webpack but that difference appears to be gone as here

John Adair Enterpoint Ltd. - Home of Broaddown2. The Ultimate Spartan-3 Board.

John,

Email the hotline directly so we can tell you how we support legacy designs like you describe.

We are there to support you.

Austin

Thanks, but we're doing fine running the old Foundation stuff once in a while when we have to tweak an old 4000 design or something.

But if we go to WebPack, will we be able to archive the software and run it five years from now? Or is it a java type thing?

And what's the practical difference between the $2500 version and the free stuff?

I sure wish this industry had a standard, portable schematic format. Almost any schematic, pcb or fpga, more than a few years old is a hazard. Not even Actel can modify an old Actel/Orcad design.

John

John,

See answer 2 on the FAQ page:

or

Austin

-snip-

Also:

for all the old "classics"

Austin

Hate to seem crabby, but there are three "answer 2's" on that page and, so far, none of then answer my questions.

like...

and

John

Hi John,

I'll try to be explicit.

Yes.

Basically there was 3 version : - WebPack - BaseX - Foundation

Foundation has all features and devices supported. BaseX a little less than foundation and Webpack a little less than BaseX. Now (since 8.1), every features/devices that was in BaseX is in the WebPack so if the BaseX 7.1 was good enough for you,

The WebPack is a real application and can run/install disconnected. (It's in fact the same application as the complete one but with some files missing afaics).

Just be sure to download the "Full package" (ofter around 300-400 Mb) and not just the "Installer" (around 15 Mb). The latter one will download and install the webpack for you but doesn't contain everything and must connect to Xilinx at install time.

The new WebPack 8.1 supports every features that was supported in BaseX

Sylvain

Thanks!

Sounds like we should transition from BaseX to WebPack and save the money for the bonus fund.

John