---
title: "Set Up Questa-Intel FPGA Edition License for GeMRTOS Nios V"
description: "The **Questa-Intel FPGA Edition** software is the simulation tool required for verifying GeMRTOS designs on Altera FPGA platforms with **Nios V** processors. Before launching Questa, the license must be configured using the Siemens EDA license daemon **mgcld** and the `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE`…"
url: "https://rcayssials.hopto.org/gemrtosdocs/specifying-the-license-for-the-questa-intel-fpga-edition-software/"
updated: "2026-06-01"
category: General
tags:
  - Avalon MM
  - GeMRTOS
  - Nios 2
  - Nios V
  - "RISC-V"
---

# Set Up Questa-Intel FPGA Edition License for GeMRTOS Nios V

The **Questa-Intel FPGA Edition** software is the simulation tool required for verifying GeMRTOS designs on Altera FPGA platforms with **Nios V** processors. Before launching Questa, the license must be configured using the Siemens EDA license daemon **mgcld** and the `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE` environment variable. This guide covers both supported license configuration methods: a local license file and a network license server.

## License Setup Requirements

The Questa-Intel FPGA Edition software uses the **Siemens EDA license daemon mgcld** to manage license access. On Windows, the `mgcld` daemon is located in the Questa-Intel FPGA Edition system directory:

- Windows: `<Questa - Intel FPGA Edition system directory>\`

The license daemon must be running and accessible before Questa can start. You can use either a local license file or a floating license server.

## How to Configure the License

Before starting the Questa-Intel FPGA Edition software, set the `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE` environment variable to point to the license. Two formats are supported:

1. **Local license file:** set `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE` to the full path of the license file:

   `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE (<Questa installation directory>/licenses/eda/license.dat)`
2. **License server:** set `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE` to the port and hostname of the license server:

   `MGLS_LICENSE_FILE <port>@<hostname>`

## Key Takeaways

- Questa-Intel FPGA Edition requires the **mgcld** Siemens EDA license daemon — on Windows it is located in the Questa system directory.
- Set the **`MGLS_LICENSE_FILE`** environment variable before launching Questa; it accepts either a local file path or a `<port>@<hostname>` license server address.
- This configuration must be completed before running GeMRTOS Nios V simulations in the Quartus Prime / Platform Designer design flow.

**Source:** Intel, "Specifying the License for the Questa-Intel FPGA Edition Software," Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition User Guide, [intel.com](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/21-4/specifying-the-license-for-the-software.html).