downlaoding bit files to Xilinx FPGA

Can the downloading of the bit file be done w/out using an embedded
processor or EPROM/PROM as we are just trying to program the device
autonomously. This is not going into production so i dont have to worry
about loosing the configuration data in case of power loss.
Anuja

If this is a Virtex part you can try using the ICAP (Internal
Configuration) Port.  This allows you to have the device configure
itself.  It does not need an embedded processor, but you have to be
careful about your bitstreams in that the new bitstream with which you
are programming the device must have the same ICAP logic in the same
location as the previous bitstream, else your configuration logic will
change mid-stream and stop reconfiguration.  You could also use partial
bitstreams to avoid overwriting the ICAP control logic.

I got the playxsvf executable code... i had some questions regarding
that..
Can this code be used to configure Virtex II Pro xc2v7?
I was successfull able to convert the bit file to the svf format... but
the svf2xsvf executable file doesnt seem wo work...
i am trying to congigure Virtex II Pro on an Avnet board... which has a
chain of devices.. do i have to worry about setting the bypass
registers of the other deivces to '1' or does the C code take care of
this?