Frequently Asked Questions
General
How do I get support for the Higher Education Program?
All questions and issues regarding your software installation, including license issues, should be directed to Mentor Graphics' Customer Support, using SupportNet.
Once you become a member, you can go to the Support website at http://supportnet.mentor.com/ and register, following the instructions to get your password. Once you are registered with Tech Support, you can access it at anytime, either via the website or by phone at 1-800-547-4303.
How do I become a member of the Higher Education Program?
Visit our website at http://www.mentor.com/company/higher_ed and complete the application form for First-Time Users. It is highly recommended that you browse the site first, particularly the Higher Education Program Brochure to see exactly what we offer and how it is packaged. Then when you go to complete the application, you will have a better idea of what you want to order. Be advised that it is in your best interest to provide detailed information about the classes that will be offered, as that will enable the approval process to move along more quickly. Once your application is approved, you will be sent a formal quote for the support fee and a License Agreement that will need to be signed and dated by an authorized signer. Upon receipt of the completed Agreements and payment, we will provide you with a Site Number and the codes for your software via email and the software will be shipped overnight.
Can I get nodelocked licenses?
The Higher Education Program does not support nodelocked licenses - we only support floating licenses on a single or redundant server configuration. However we do now offer the ability to access the tools remotely via a secure VPN (Virtual Personal Network) provided by your System Administrator. Please contact the Higher Education Program to update your License Agreement.
Can we get access to Distance Learning?
We can provide support for distance learning programs on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Higher Education Program for more details.
How do I get training? What training opportunities are available?
What training opportunities are available? Our standard public training is available to previously approved faculty and teaching staff members on a space-available basis at any of the sessions listed on the website http://www.mentor.com/company/higher_ed/training/index.cfm. You need to call in your registration and let them know you are a member of the Higher Education Program to get the class free of charge.
I am a student in a class that is using your tools. Do I have access on my own?
The Higher Education Program donates software to universities and technical colleges, and therefore we cannot support individual students. If you would like to use Mentor Graphics tools for your degree courses and projects, please contact your professor and let him/her know about the Higher Education Program.
We are using PADS now, but we're not members of the Higher Ed Program. Can we convert to HEP?
Yes, you can. The choice is yours to convert or stay with your distributor. If you would like to transition to the Higher Education Program, you should confirm that the PADS design package contains the tools that you need for your applications. Be sure you can get the same functionality before you convert. You may also want to look into the PCB Expedition package of software that we offer.
We are currently members of the Higher Education Program. How do we get additional software?
Two ways - you can either request the additional software packages when you complete your annual renewal, or if you are mid-cycle, you can go to the website and complete a Renewal application form and request only those packages you wish to add to your existing account. We will then provide a quote to cover the additional support fee for the new additional packages.
Product Licensing Questions
Why can't I get ENRead/ENWrite anymore?
ENRead and ENWrite are no longer required for the Mentor Graphics ASIC design flow. The ADK3.0 and in all future releases now support netlist interfaces using Verilog.
Why can't I get icExtract anymore?
IcExtract and xCalibre have been replaced by the new extraction tool Calibre xRC, and hence icExtract no longer supported. The ASIC Design Kit version 3.0 and above no longer require icExtract. Please refer to the Higher Education Program 2006-07 Brochure, Section 11 - Product Changes.
I'm finding I'm missing features. How do I get support?
License features frequently change and may not appear the same from file to file. Please refer to the Higher Education Program Brochure and the product components of each of the package. You will be sent all features necessary to run the tools in each package and be able to download the latest release of all tools installed.
Please first check the Higher Education Program 2006-07 Brochure which contains a detailed list of all products supplied for each design package. Also refer to the Higher Education Program 2006-07 Brochure, Section 11 - Product Changes to see if a product has changed or is no longer supported by the Program. If there are still concerns, please contact the Tech Support Hotline at 1-800-547-4303 or http://supportnet.mentor.com/ and register for account access.
Renewals
Can I get all versions of a specific software package, including older versions?
We only provide the latest release of the tools. Automatic upgrades are provided as part of the renewal process and are covered by the annual support fees.
PCB Products
Which PCB Design package or packages should I choose?
The category of PCB products you choose should be determined by the type of course or project that you are running at your establishment.
Expedition is a complete enterprise solution for the design, layout and analysis of PCB systems, and is typically used by medium to large companies for the implementation of telecommunication infrastructure, aerospace, and complex and high-speed consumer applications. Expedition is the most powerful of Mentor Graphics' PCB product lines and is most appropriate for courses that intend to teach PCB design and analysis as a core skill or trade, such as technical colleges, community colleges, trade schools or training centers. PADS is an easy to use PCB design product targeted at small companies carrying out simple designs. While still powerful, it has fewer capabilities than Expedition, and would not be appropriate for teaching PCB as a core skill. PADS would be most appropriate as an easy to learn tool where PCB design is not being taught as a core skill, such as university electronics degree projects incorporating many electronic design disciplines.
I have been using Board Station but also need access to products included in the Expedition category. How can I get access to these additional products?
You may order both Board Station and Expedition categories at your renewal.
Why is the support for the PADS category priced at $500 while support for Expedition and Board Station are priced at $200 each?
We have reduced the support fees for the Expedition and Board Station packages as a direct result of splitting one large package into two, and to ensure that the large numbers of members who use tools across both product lines will not be adversely affected. PADS is a new addition to the Higher Education Program and accordingly its support fee is set in line with the standard Higher Education Program packages.
Can I transition to just one PCB category?
Yes. If you have previously be using both Board Station and Expedition, and you choose to transition to one category we recommend that you transition to Expedition. We appreciate that you may need to update course material and this may take some time. However by transitioning to Expedition your support price for PCB design would be only $200 per year.