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EXata CPS | Installation and License Request

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EXata CPS Installation on Host (Windows) Computer

Installation

The installer exata-cps-X.X-windows-installer-64bit.exe is provided in the Customer CD upon delivery of a new system. Please contact the Support team via the contact form if you do not have it.

  1. Double click on the installer file to start the setup wizard and install EXata CPS. It is recommended to keep the default settings.
  2. Once the installation is completed, continue with installing the license to be able to open the software.

Licenses

XML File as License is Deprecated

Since January 2023, the XML response file is not supported anymore. All new licenses are now .lic files.

Due to this upgrade, the License Activation Wizard is also obsolete and is not used to install licenses anymore.

Licenses for EXata CPS are not the same than the licenses for HYPERSIM / RT-LAB. There are two licenses are required for EXata CPS:

  • Host (Windows) license (.lic file)
  • Simulator license (.lic file)

Host (Windows) License

For the host (Windows) license, a Software Entitlement Certificate is required, which is in the Customer CD upon delivery of a new system. If you did not received your Certificate, please contact the support team.

The latest instructions to redeem your license are described at the end of the Certificate. As a reference, here are the steps as of June 2023:

  1. Log (or register) into Keysight's licensing website at: www.keysight.com/find/softwaremanager to redeem your license. You will need the following information
    1. Keysight Order Number and Keysight Certificate Number from the top of the certificate
    2. Host ID* (Instructions will be provided during the redemption process in the licensing website)
  2. Once you have redeemed your license, you will receive an email with the license file and further instructions to activate your license.
  3. Typically, the .lic file will need to be installed in C:\Program Files\Scalable\exata-cps\<version>\license_dir  .


*Note: The Host ID will be a MAC Address of one of the ports of the Windows computer. Make sure to use a physical port (not Wi-Fi nor a USB-to-Ethernet Dongle).

For people using a floating license, please follow the steps of the document SCALABLE-LicenseServerSetupGuide-XXXXX.pdf : EXata-LicenseSetupGuide-112022.pdf

Simulator License

If it is a new system, the simulator's license is installed and tested by OPAL-RT before delivery. There is nothing to do.

If it is a an upgrade, start by installing EXata CPS on the simulator, as explained in the next section. Afterwards, follow these steps:

The same Software Entitlement Certificate is required as for the host license:

  1. Log (or register) into Keysight's licensing website at: www.keysight.com/find/softwaremanager  to redeem your license. You will need the following information
    1. Keysight Order Number and Keysight Certificate Number from the top of the certificate
    2. Host ID* (Instructions will be provided during the redemption process in the licensing website)
  2. Once you have redeemed your license, you will receive an email with the license file and further instructions to activate your license.

    The Host ID in this case will be the MAC Address of eno2. Do not use the MAC address of the interface used to communicate with the windows computer or you will lose the connection when starting the EXata simulation on the simulator!

  3. Upload the license to the simulator in the following directory /opt/Scalable/exata-cps/<version>/license_dir/ .
  4. This is it. No extra command required.

Frequently Asked Questions - Licenses

 Question: How can I check the host (Windows) license installed on my setup?

Open the EXata CPS GUI and go to Help > License and Libraries....


Here is an example of a valid license:

 What is the difference between Node Limit and Connection Limit in the host license?

Node limit: the node limit is the maximum number of nodes in the EXata model.

Connection limit: this is the maximum number of connections between the EXata model and the HYPERSIM or RT-LAB model.

The connections are usually made in the Mapping wizard.


 And what is considered as a node in EXata?

In telecommunications networks, a node is either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint. A physical network node is an electronic device that is attached to a network, and is capable of creating, receiving, or transmitting information over a communications channel.

Examples of nodes include bridges, switches, hubs, and modems to other computers, printers, and servers, mobile devices. Really anything that is communicating on the customer’s network.

For example, the example below has a total of 5 nodes.

 How can I check the license on the simulator?
  1. Connect to the simulator using an SSH client tool such as MobaXterm.
  2. Go to the directory /opt/Scalable/exata-cps/<version>/license_dir/ by typing (example for version 1.1):

    cd /opt/Scalable/exata-cps/1.1/license_dir/
  3. Check that the license is present by listing the content of that directory by typing:

    ls -l

  4. To check the libraries included in the .lic file, type the following commands:

    cd /opt/Scalable/exata-cps/1.1/bin/
    ./exata -print_libraries
  5. Here is an example of the output of a valid command:
If it gives an error, simply reboot the simulator and try again (do not run EXata before running those commands).

Installation of EXata CPS on an OPAL-RT Simulator

If it is a new simulator, EXata CPS was installed and tested before delivery. Jump directly the next section to configure the link between the host computer and the simulator for EXata CPS.

Requirements

This procedure requires:

  • RT-LAB 2019.2 or later (For EXata CPS 1.1, RT-LAB 2023.1 or later is recommended)
  • Installation file: exata-cps-X.X-linux-installer-64bit-rhel8
    • The file can be found in the Customer CD. Please contact the Support team via the contact form if you do not have it. 
  • The simulator's login credentials
    • This can be found in the System Description document provided with the simulator
  • An SSH Client tool such as MobaXterm

Installation

  1. Start the SSH Client and connect to the simulator using the simulator's IP address and credentials.Follow this KB for more details: How To Install and Connect with MobaXterm.

  2. Upload the exata-cps-X.X-linux-installer-64bit-rhel8 to the simulator.

  3. Run the following command to set the installer in an executable mode:

    chmod +x exata-cps-X.X-linux-installer-64bit-rhel8
    
  4. Run the following command to start the installation process:

    ./exata-cps-X.X-linux-installer-64bit-rhel8
  5. Follow the instructions displayed in the terminal. There will be several license agreement prompts.

  6. Lastly, install in the license, as explained in the previous section.

Host (Windows) Computer to Simulator Link Configuration

This procedure needs to be done after installing EXata CPS on the host and the simulator, but before running a simulation for the first time.

 Procedure to install Cygwin64 Terminal with Openssh Package
  1. Go to the Cygwin's Website and click on setup-x86_64.exe, and download the executable.

  2. In the installation wizard, choose the option 'Install from Internet', keep the default settings and select any download website.
  3. Select the view Category, search for openssh.

    When installing the openssh package, be sure to check the option 'src' and recommended version to use is 9.2p1-1.

  4. Complete the installation of Cygwin and then proceed to the rest of the procedure.


  1. Open "Cygwin" terminal with Administrator rights.
  2. Type the following commands to change directory, set the proper permissions on the required files and run the script.

    cd "C:\Program Files\Scalable\exata-cps\1.1\bin"
    chmod +x exata.remote.sh
    chmod +x setupRemoteExec.sh
    ./setupRemoteExec.sh root@<simulator IP address>
    # example: ./setupRemoteExec.sh root@192.168.5.36
  3. The script will connect to the simulator and ask for the password. The password can be found in the System Description document.

    The script might give the error:

    This message can be ignored. It only means that the .ssh directory already exists.

  4. To verify that the previous step has been accomplished successfully, try logging into the machine like so:  

    ssh root@<simulator IP address>


    it should connect to the simulator without asking for the password.

  5. Lastly, in EXata CPS GUI, click on Run Settings
  6. Confirm that the IP address corresponds to the IP address of the simulator and that the EXATA_HOME is /opt/Scalable/exata-cps/1.1/
  7. Leave the Number of Processors at the default value 1. EXata automatically reserves as many cores as required.
  8. Click OK. You are now ready to run simulations with EXata CPS and an OPAL-RT simulator!


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