creating HARD MACROs broken in ISE 7.1 SP3 ?

Hi

I wonder if Xilinx does any testing of their releases at all - creating Hard
Macros seems to be impossible in 7.1 as the FPGAeditor self terminates
itself on any attemp to add extpin. Well it seems to be that 6.3 made hard
macros are compatible and useable in 7.1 but its very awkward to keep a copy
of 6.3 only for that purpose.

Antti
PS to Xilinx, yes I did open a WebCase. I have plenty of webcases open. So
far NO HELP.

Antti Lukats wrote:
> Hi
>
> I wonder if Xilinx does any testing of their releases at all - creating Hard
> Macros seems to be impossible in 7.1 as the FPGAeditor self terminates
> itself on any attemp to add extpin. Well it seems to be that 6.3 made hard
> macros are compatible and useable in 7.1 but its very awkward to keep a copy
> of 6.3 only for that purpose.
>
> Antti
> PS to Xilinx, yes I did open a WebCase. I have plenty of webcases open. So
> far NO HELP.

Antti,

I had all your open webacases reviewed.

Since you have only the most basic service level, the webcase goal is
to respond in less than two days.

So far we are keeping within that goal.  Except the time you went on
vacation, and we couldn't get to you for a week.

A couple of your cases have been escalated further, as you are doing
things yourself, instead of using Impact tools (eg the flash
programming), and we have to find out what other things are
happening...and we will to help find out if you are doing something
wrong, or if we just didn't document all the steps that our software
performs.

If you are dissatisfied with this level of service, you may always sign
up for something other than webcase support, and get less than 2 day
max turnaround.

I accept you have issues, and get frustrated, but it looks like our
support folks here are doing a great job supporting you at the most
basic (ie free) level of service, and well within our service goals.

So, I know you are not happy right now, but, we are on your side, and
we are providing the support you require, in a timely fashion.

Austin

"austin" <austin@xilinx.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1123801073.519240.126420@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Antti Lukats wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > I wonder if Xilinx does any testing of their releases at all - creating
Hard
> > Macros seems to be impossible in 7.1 as the FPGAeditor self terminates
> > itself on any attemp to add extpin. Well it seems to be that 6.3 made
hard
> > macros are compatible and useable in 7.1 but its very awkward to keep a
copy
> > of 6.3 only for that purpose.
> >
> > Antti
> > PS to Xilinx, yes I did open a WebCase. I have plenty of webcases open.
So
> > far NO HELP.
>
> Antti,
>
> I had all your open webacases reviewed.
>
> Since you have only the most basic service level, the webcase goal is
> to respond in less than two days.
>
> So far we are keeping within that goal.  Except the time you went on
> vacation, and we couldn't get to you for a week.
>
> A couple of your cases have been escalated further, as you are doing
> things yourself, instead of using Impact tools (eg the flash
> programming), and we have to find out what other things are
> happening...and we will to help find out if you are doing something
> wrong, or if we just didn't document all the steps that our software
> performs.
>
> If you are dissatisfied with this level of service, you may always sign
> up for something other than webcase support, and get less than 2 day
> max turnaround.
>
> I accept you have issues, and get frustrated, but it looks like our
> support folks here are doing a great job supporting you at the most
> basic (ie free) level of service, and well within our service goals.
>
> So, I know you are not happy right now, but, we are on your side, and
> we are providing the support you require, in a timely fashion.
>
> Austin
>

Thanks, I actually did not mean to sound so negative - and I have to admit
private problems have 'charged' me with negative charge, so that comes
out in the wrong way. I understand that the WebCase people are doing
their best, but, hm maybe I better not discuss my view on that in public.

As from the open WebCases actually only one is that is relevant to me
all other will only help Xilinx to improve the tools. I have taken great
time to open the webcases in the issues that i have encountered also
in the cases where the problem is not so critical for me or where I
can wait or workaround. But the issues are all real, and it is to the
best of Xilinx to fix them. I assume many more people see and find
bugs and problems and are silent about them.

ok, my "NO HELP" was overstatement, I should have read my posting
second time, and I would most likely have done self censoring.

BTW I was not on vaccation, in the matter of fact I have not taken
a paid vaccation in all my life (I am 40). The WebCase person did
go to vaccation, then I had to send the same files to another person
all over, then other case was delayed because of Bank holiday in
Ireland, etc.

What said about 'platinum' services is possible true. The base level
support people have very little experience with xilinx devices and
tools and internal clearance to conctact the Xilinx experts himself
those they have to apply to fab FAE who then in turn will contact
the experts. If we add the time zone delay then it all ends up in
a 2 week response time til solution, that is the very same time
I have said to apply loong time ago. On the base level webcase
no help is to be expected sooner as in 2 weeks unless the problem
is really trivial.

So in short: I appologize, and withdraw my 'NO HELP' -
I agree that the webcase people are doing their best
(what isnt much as they dont have the required experience
and as I am not paing then the people with experience are
not involved at least in early stages of the webcases).

The only important (client waiting) issue, I really hope
that will be cleared - to my understanding it would be quite
good thing for Xilinx too - because to my understanding
this issue prevents any and all 3rd parties to program the
XCFxxP parts with other tools than impact, that is
the XCFxxP can not be programmed on the factory floor
at all, as impact doesnt qualify for production programmer.

Antti
PS I actually think it would be the best of all of us if
I would withhold ALL my public comments on Xilinx
products and services and work more closely with Xilinx
in order to fix them to the benefit of all of us. But that
work should in that case be compensated to me.
It doesnt make sense to pay premium support deal
just to be able to help Xilinx to fix their problems better.

"austin" <austin@xilinx.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1123801073.519240.126420@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Antti Lukats wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > I wonder if Xilinx does any testing of their releases at all - creating
Hard
> > Macros seems to be impossible in 7.1 as the FPGAeditor self terminates
> > itself on any attemp to add extpin. Well it seems to be that 6.3 made
hard
> > macros are compatible and useable in 7.1 but its very awkward to keep a
copy
> > of 6.3 only for that purpose.
> >
> > Antti
> > PS to Xilinx, yes I did open a WebCase. I have plenty of webcases open.
So
> > far NO HELP.
>
> Antti,
>
> I had all your open webacases reviewed.
>
> Since you have only the most basic service level, the webcase goal is
> to respond in less than two days.
>
> So far we are keeping within that goal.  Except the time you went on
> vacation, and we couldn't get to you for a week.
>
> A couple of your cases have been escalated further, as you are doing
> things yourself, instead of using Impact tools (eg the flash
> programming), and we have to find out what other things are
> happening...and we will to help find out if you are doing something
> wrong, or if we just didn't document all the steps that our software
> performs.
>
> If you are dissatisfied with this level of service, you may always sign
> up for something other than webcase support, and get less than 2 day
> max turnaround.
>
> I accept you have issues, and get frustrated, but it looks like our
> support folks here are doing a great job supporting you at the most
> basic (ie free) level of service, and well within our service goals.
>
> So, I know you are not happy right now, but, we are on your side, and
> we are providing the support you require, in a timely fashion.
>
> Austin
>
Hi Austin,

I did review my webcases as well - there was one case
where it was flagged as waiting files from me, but on that case
the files are actually sent and I have received notification
that the case has been duplicated by the Xilinx engineer.
So in that case the WebCase status was wrong.

On the other case there was status waiting customer call,
this is something I dont understand at all, I have never
selected phone as contact method or promised to call back.

On this case I have not only sent all info TWICE to Xilinx
I also sent to xilinx a snapshot of our internal ipcores developed
to test Xilinx software. If Xilinx is not interested fix their tools
then its not my problem. I have done more then enough already.
I closed this case on my behalf as I feel that I can not longer
spend my time in thise case to help Xilinx to finally fix S3e support
in Impact.

So there are no WebCases on hold because of my delayed responses.
Just to clarify.

Antti

P.S. You did take time to comment my attitude, but did not comment
the actual issue at all - is it possible to use 7.1 for Hard Macro
development or not?
If not then its very strange, it basically means that there are no advanced
users
of Xilinx tools at all? someone should have trapped that issue?

Antti,

All I will say is that we are working on all of your issues, and we
take everyone of them seriously.

Clearly, if you will not use the phone, that will make things harder,
as sometimes it is best to just talk to the customer.

Every hotline person is trained, and yes, the ones serving the basic
service grade are newer than those who serve the premium service grade,
but they are allowed to immediately escalate any issue directly to the
next level.  They do not have to go to the FAE for permission.  It is
encouraged to use the local FAE's just so that the customer has the
best experience, and the local FAE stays in the loop, and is always
aware of what his customer is doing.

As for the original Macro issue, if I new something about software, I'd
say something, but I do not.  The hotline is absolutely the best source
for information on the software.

Unfortunately, it is postings like yours (that disparrage the webcase
support) that encourage folks to email me directly with their problems,
rather than open a webcase.  That is terrible, as I can in no way
compete with databases of tens of thousands of answers, 400 FAE's, and
200+ CAE's, and what they do very well.

If you look at my performance in answering webcases, I would be
absolutely horrible!

So, do not email me with a specific case.  Email me (or Peter) if a
specific case is not being resolved to your satisfaction, or if you
have been unable to get a question answered by the normal means.

If anything, emailing me first will delay the response to your problem.

Austin

"austin" <austin@xilinx.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1123860161.490496.181160@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Antti,
>
> All I will say is that we are working on all of your issues, and we
> take everyone of them seriously.
>
> Clearly, if you will not use the phone, that will make things harder,
> as sometimes it is best to just talk to the customer.
>
> Every hotline person is trained, and yes, the ones serving the basic
> service grade are newer than those who serve the premium service grade,
> but they are allowed to immediately escalate any issue directly to the
> next level.  They do not have to go to the FAE for permission.  It is
> encouraged to use the local FAE's just so that the customer has the
> best experience, and the local FAE stays in the loop, and is always
> aware of what his customer is doing.
>
> As for the original Macro issue, if I new something about software, I'd
> say something, but I do not.  The hotline is absolutely the best source
> for information on the software.
>
> Unfortunately, it is postings like yours (that disparrage the webcase
> support) that encourage folks to email me directly with their problems,
> rather than open a webcase.  That is terrible, as I can in no way
> compete with databases of tens of thousands of answers, 400 FAE's, and
> 200+ CAE's, and what they do very well.
>
> If you look at my performance in answering webcases, I would be
> absolutely horrible!
>
> So, do not email me with a specific case.  Email me (or Peter) if a
> specific case is not being resolved to your satisfaction, or if you
> have been unable to get a question answered by the normal means.
>
> If anything, emailing me first will delay the response to your problem.
>
> Austin
>

LOL, gosh I need a break. I do use and I am able to use phone,
just my contact preferences is always set to email. And my mobile
hasnt been switched off for some weeks, but I wasnt expecting any
phone calls.

Shit, I did not mean to piss off anyone or discourage the WebCase use,
for vast majority of case I belive the WebCase support is just proper
and superior also in timely responses.

But I do not fall into the 'vast majority' category and in most/all cases
where I encounter an issue its not trivial, so the WebCase response
is not as immediate for me.

I do belive that Xilinx does take the WebCases (every each of them)
seriously, its the best way to get feadback and found out problems.

As I have stated before the only BIG issue for me is the XCFxxP
programming algorithm issue, I guess there is some weird silicon
erratic behaviour that is compensated somehow in the impact
internal programming algorithm, but that again makes the XCFxxP
non programmable by any 3rd party tools.

All other webcases are mostly of interest to Xilinx as fixing
the issues means fixing bugs and making the SW better.

Antti

This issue is covered by Answer Record 21615.  A patch is available. It
will also be fixed in SP4.

http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xil_ans_display.jsp?getPagePath=21615

Bret Wade
Xilinx Product Applications

"Antti Lukats" <antti@openchip.org> wrote in message 
news:ddg1jp$7rh$01$1@news.t-online.com...
> Hi
>
> I wonder if Xilinx does any testing of their releases at all -

Unfortunately, I gotta agree with this one.

Been using their software since ~1990 and everytime we update we go through 
the same thing.... the search for the newly broken function.

-- Ed


> creating Hard
> Macros seems to be impossible in 7.1 as the FPGAeditor self terminates
> itself on any attemp to add extpin. Well it seems to be that 6.3 made hard
> macros are compatible and useable in 7.1 but its very awkward to keep a 
> copy
> of 6.3 only for that purpose.
>
> Antti
> PS to Xilinx, yes I did open a WebCase. I have plenty of webcases open. So
> far NO HELP.
>
>
> 

<bret.wade@gmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1123876948.678140.112150@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> This issue is covered by Answer Record 21615.  A patch is available. It
> will also be fixed in SP4.
>
> http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xil_ans_display.jsp?getPagePath=21615
>
> Bret Wade
> Xilinx Product Applications
>

Thank you Bret,

yes that tactical patch fixed the issue. I did not expect patches to be
available for SP3 so did not even search for those.

suggestion - please please maintain a list of 'patches' for all SP's at some
single location that would help finding them.

Antti

>suggestion - please please maintain a list of 'patches' for all SP's at some
>single location that would help finding them.

Xilinx is generally pretty good at setting up their site so google
can find things.  Can you find the patch from google?

-- 
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other mailboxes.  Please do not send unsolicited bulk e-mail or unsolicited
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