Using SmartXplorer

ISE

Using SmartXplorer

SmartXplorer allows you to run multiple implementation flows using different sets of implementation properties designed to optimize design performance. In addition, SmartXplorer can greatly reduce overall runtime by utilizing multiple host machines or processors to run individual strategies simultaneously, which differs by operating system as follows:

Linux operating system - SmartXplorer can run multiple jobs in parallel on different machines across the following types of networks:
- Linux network - SmartXplorer manages the job distribution across the network based on the list of machines you specify.
- Load Sharing Facility (LSF) or Sun Grid Engine (SGE) compute farm - LSF or SGE manages the job distribution based on the number of machines you specify.
Note If you do not have access to a Linux network, SmartXplorer can run multiple strategies in parallel on a single Linux machine that has multiple processors available.
Windows operating system - SmartXplorer can run multiple strategies in parallel on a single Windows machine that has multiple processors available.

Note On both Linux and Windows operating systems, SmartXplorer can run jobs serially on a single processor.

For more information on SmartXplorer, see the “SmartXplorer” chapter in the Command Line Tools User Guide.

To Run SmartXplorer from Project Navigator

Select Tools > SmartXplorer > Launch SmartXplorer, or click the SmartXplorer toolbar button .
In the Exploration Mode area of the Launch SmartXplorer dialog box, set the following options:
- Select one of the following options to specify which exploration mode to use:
  - Use built-in SmartXplorer strategies
    Select this option to use predefined SmartXplorer strategies. The process property settings defined in these strategies override your existing process property settings. Default values are used for any properties that are not explicitly defined in the SmartXplorer strategies.
  - Use current process properties and iterate Cost Table only
    Select this option to use all of your existing process property settings, except for the Starting Placer Cost Table property. The Cost Table is incremented with each SmartXplorer run iteration.
    Use the Starting Placer Cost Table property in this dialog box to specify the first Cost Table to use in the SmartXplorer run. There are 100 cost tables, numbered 1 through 100. Each cost table assigns weighted values to relevant factors, such as constraints, length of connection, and available routing resources.
    Note This option is the replacement for Multi-Pass Place & Route.
- In the Maximum number of runs option, set the number of times to run implementation. The maximum is 100.
  Note When using predefined SmartXplorer strategies, if the Maximum number of runs is greater than the number of predefined SmartXplorer strategies, additional runs are made by incrementing the Starting Placer Cost Table.
- Optional. Select Run all strategies/iterations to continue running SmartXplorer until the maximum number of runs is met. This option is useful if you want to find out which strategy best meets your design goals while still meeting timing.
  Note If this option is disabled, SmartXplorer automatically stops when one of the strategies meets timing.
Linux operating system only. In the Host Mode to run SmartXplorer iterations area, set the following options:
- Select one of the following options to specify which host to use:
  Use hosts specified in list below
  In the field below this option, enter a host name and click the Add button to add it to the list. Enter as many hosts as needed. To remove a host from the list, select the host, and click Remove. The host name is identical to the machine name.
  Note To specify multiple processors to be used as separate hosts on a single machine, list the host name multiple times.
  Use host list file
  In the field next to this option, specify a host list file that contains the list of hosts. Click the Browse button to find the file.
  To create a host list file for an LSF or SGE compute farm, use the following syntax:
  LSF compute farm syntax: :LSF {"queue_name": "MYQUEUE", "max_concurrent_runs":N, "bsub_options": "additional_options"}
  SGE compute farm syntax: :SGE {"queue_name": "MYQUEUE", "max_concurrent_runs":N, "qsub_options": "additional_options"}
  where:
  queue_name defines the queue name. You must replace MYQUEUE with an LSF or SGE queue name.
  max_concurrent_runs defines the maximum number of jobs that can be run in parallel. You must replace N with a positive integer value.
  bsub_options defines additional LSF options. You must replace additional_options with LSF options or, if you are not using additional options, with an empty string: “”.
  qsub_options defines additional SGE options. You must replace additional_options with SGE options or, if you are not using additional options, with an empty string: “”.
- Program to execute commands on remote hosts
  This option specifies which program to use for logging into remote hosts and executing commands on the host. Values are rsh or ssh. The default is rsh.
Windows operating system only. In the Number of parallel runs on this machine option, set the number of processors available.
The default value of this field matches the number of processors you have available on the host machine. The maximum is 99.
Optional. In the Other SmartXplorer command line options field, enter additional command line options. Separate multiple options with a space.
The options entered in this property appear first on the command line, before all other property options specified in the dialog box. Avoid setting duplicate property options. For more information, see the “SmartXplorer” chapter of the Command Line Tools User Guide.
Optional. Select Automatically copy best result to working project directory when SmartXplorer is complete.
Note Results are only copied if timing is met for one of the runs (Timing score = 0). If timing is not met, the results are not copied, even if this option is selected.
Click OK to start SmartXplorer.

To View SmartXplorer Results

When SmartXplorer is running, the SmartXplorer Results window opens in the Project Navigator Workspace. This window contains the following columns, which show the results of each of the SmartXplorer runs and the properties used for each strategy:

Strategy - shows the name of the strategy used for each run. Click the strategy name in the Strategy column to see the implementation process properties used by that strategy.
Host - shows the host used for each run.
Status - shows the current implementation status for each run. Click the link in this column to see the Design Summary and reports for the selected run.
Timing Score - shows the current timing score for each run.
Run Time - shows the runtime elapsed for each run.
Copy Result - allows you to copy the results of the selected run into the active project. The Copy Result button is enabled as each run is completed. You can copy results as soon as the button is enabled, even if SmartXplorer is still completing the remaining runs.
If you used the Use built-in SmartXplorer strategies option and copy a SmartXplorer result, the strategy used for that run is automatically applied to the project and also added to the Design Goals and Strategies dialog box. To apply this Design Strategy to your project at a later time, select Project > Design Goals & Strategies. In the Design Goals and Strategies dialog box, set the Goal to Timing Performance, and select the Strategy from the drop-down list. For more information, see Using Design Goals and Strategies.
If you used the Use Current Process Properties and Iterate Cost Table only option, the process properties reflect the settings used in the SmartXplorer run, including the appropriate Cost Table value.
Abort - stops the entire SmartXplorer run. Any completed runs remain in their current state, and you can analyze or copy these results to your project using Copy Result.

Note To view the SmartXplorer Results tab at any time, select Tools > SmartXplorer > Show SmartXplorer Results. This shows the results of the most recent SmartXplorer run.