Several steps are involved when setting up your own Linux workstation for use with CAD software. CMC Microsystems provides the following advice for our clients’ reference.
- Check Linux distribution compatibility for your CAD software.
- Check hardware requirements for your CAD software.
- Check to see if CADpass client is compatible with your Linux distribution.
- Check other restrictions on your installation.
- Know some commands in and the directory structure of your Linux operating system.
Here is a diagram showing a typical installation and its proper operation requirements.
Check Linux Distribution Compatibility for Your CAD Software
There are licensed and open-source/free distributions (“distros”) of the Linux operating system. CAD vendors support a subset of these distributions. The subset varies by vendor.
The following are links to vendor platform support information about operating systems:
- Ansys: https://www.ansys.com/it-solutions/platform-support
- Cadence: https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/support/computing-platform-support.html
- Keysight: https://www.keysight.com/us/en/lib/resources/miscellaneous/software-versions-computer-platforms-and-operating-systems-1486421.html
- Synopsys: https://www.synopsys.com/support/licensing-installation-computeplatforms/compute-platforms/compute-platforms-roadmap.html
Check Hardware Requirements for Your CAD Software
Core, RAM, and disk space requirements vary by software program, level of use and research project size. Installation guides often contain a baseline hardware recommendation for customers. Installation guides are available from vendor websites or sometimes as part of the software installation package.
Check to See if CADpass Client is Compatible with Your Linux Distribution
CMC IT/CAD support staff provides a utility called CADpass client, also referred to as CADpass, to connect a local desktop or local server to our licence network.
To learn more about CADpass client, please see this webpage: https://www.cmc.ca/cadpass/
Check Other Restrictions on Your Installation
Not all virtual desktop or remote display software may be compatible with either your operating system or your installed CAD program. Vendors provide guidance about these utilities on their websites.
Know Some Commands in and the Directory Structure of Your Linux Operating System
To install CAD software, add Linux libraries, and update your operating system, you must have administrator privileges and know how to accomplish tasks.
CMC IT/CAD support staff has provided some of this information for our clients using Red Hat or Rocky distributions:
- https://www.cmc.ca/linux-and-cmc-cad-software/
- https://www.cmc.ca/writing-scripts-and-text-files-for-linux/
If you are struggling to find platform support information for a CAD software program that we offer, open a support case with us, and we will help you.