C

Using Keysight Design Data Management

(SOS) in the Cloud

eBook
INTRODUCTION

Using Keysight Design

Data Management (SOS)
in the Cloud
Integrated circuits (ICs) are becoming increasingly complex
and resource intensive. This is challenging companies to design
chips more efficiently and reduce the overall impact of peak
processing loads.
Companies typically use large server farms and high-performance
storage systems to design and validate chips quickly and efficiently.
However, this approach is very resource intensive. For example,
electronic design automation (EDA) tools can require several
thousand CPU cores. This type of environment is also difficult to
scale and manage — leaving a business vulnerable to performance
spikes and project delays.
Up until recently, cloud migration has been somewhat slow in the
semiconductor industry — with the biggest concern being the rise of
third-party, on-premises IPs. Additional concerns include data security,
cost, and performance. This is changing, with EPA, cloud, and software
providers warming up to the cloud. More companies are starting to
trust the cloud to handle the processing and resource-intensive chip
design process.
This eBook covers the various ways designers can leverage Keysight’s
leading design management platform in the cloud, leveraging Amazon
Web Services and Google Cloud.

In light of this, many companies are now using the cloud. With the
cloud, companies can dynamically scale their servers, cores, and
memory. This allows them to develop chips concurrently and bring
new designs to market at a faster pace. The cloud also helps avoid
large expenditure, and allows companies to instantly scale to meet
changing processing demands.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 2

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
Contents

CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CONCLUSION

Creating an SoC Benefits of Using Migrating Keysight Conclusion

Design Environment the Cloud Design Data
Management (SOS)
Work Environments
to the Cloud

GO TO CHAPTER 1 > GO TO CHAPTER 2 > GO TO CHAPTER 3 > GO TO CONCLUSION >

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 3

CHAPTER 1

Creating an
SoC Design
Environment

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 4

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CHAPTER 1

Creating an SoC Design Designers require and share different types of files based on their job
functionality role. Most teams also use third-party libraries and PDKs

Environment
System on a chip (SoC) design requires sharing a broad spectrum
of data types across multiple sites. A mixed-signal SoC typically
contains process design kits (PDKs), IP libraries, documents, text
files (including RTL, C, scripts, reports, netlist, and constraints),
verification files, and binary files related to place and route. Binary
files tend to be multiple gigabytes, and may originate from
designers or EDA tools. Users may also share binary files during
design projects.
PDK
during design workflows. Due to the magnitude of data they create,
engineers must share data wherever possible to prevent it from
becoming unmanageable.
EDA tools often produce large files during various stages of production.
Projects may also require multiple iterations and handoffs between
teams. A setup such as this requires high-performance storage across
several machines. When there is not enough storage, IC designers may
struggle to access resources. To collaborate efficiently, teams must use
a configuration management platform to manage the different releases,
snapshots, and handoffs.

latest latest latest latest

Packaging Specs Docs Digital X Digital X Digital Y

latest latest R3 R3 R2 R2
Docs Analog
IP B IP A IP B IP A IP B
Libs
GDS RTL
Analog designer Digital X designer Digital PnR

Work area

Repository
Custom Test
Layout Suite latest LVS clean R1
Project Data Docs latest R2
Analog R3
Libs IP A

Analog
Synthesis rel2pnr rel2pnr R1
Design
verified verified R2
latest latest R3
STA & Digital X Digital Y IP B
P&R
Power

Design data IP library

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 5

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
Why use Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS)?
The migration to the cloud has been slow up until this point, due to
concerns about data security, cost, performance, and the ability of
EDA tools to run efficiently in the cloud. The biggest contributing
factor for the concern over moving from on-premises EDA servers
and data centers to cloud based servers has been the rise of third-
party IPs.
This is changing, with a growing number of EDA, cloud, and third-
party IP and software providers finally on board and providing
the necessary enhancements. As a result, more semiconductor
companies are considering the cloud to power the resource-
intensive chip design process.
Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) is a design management
platform that is purpose-built for handling today’s complex
semiconductor design workflows. With Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS), design teams can access sophisticated multi-
site development environments for collaborating and managing
design data. As the only design management platform built primarily
for hardware designs, Keysight Design Data Management (SOS)
provides a stable and efficient foundation for cloud based SoC
development. Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) enables
design teams to efficiently manage and track all design data across
both Linux and Windows platforms from a central location.
Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud
Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) allows
design teams to:
• Identify files and dependencies: SoC design flows often
require graphical tools like schematic or layout editors in the
case of analog, RF, or mixed-signal designs. The design data
includes a combination of text, binary, and collections of
interrelated files. It can be difficult for users to identify files
and dependencies with design objects. Managing these files
manually in a configuration system takes time and increases
risk from errors.
• Compare different versions: It is generally easy to find
differences between versions when comparing text files.
But when dealing with binary schematics or layout, this
can be challenging without using an EDA tool.
• Check out multiple versions of the same file: When files
are text-based, it is easier for multiple users to check them
in or out and merge updates. It is not feasible to check out
multiple versions of the same binary file.
• Accommodate all types of data: There are multiple types
of SoCs and IPs such as analog, digital, RF, and mixed signal.
Designers must be able to seamlessly access and manage all
types of design data from a single location.
• Support composite objects: Designers may have a tough
time identifying and managing data at the abstraction
level of their design objects. This is because they manage
collections of design objects as separate files, even though
they collectively form a single object.
• Manage large files: SoCs often contain large files, and come
with different management needs and storage requirements.
Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 6
Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
The ideal IC design environment
for Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS)

Here is a typical design environment that teams use Setting up this design environment in the cloud enables fast scalability,
high availability, and reliability. However, the challenge lies in replicating
with Keysight Design Data Management (SOS):
and performing this complex design environment in the cloud.

• A high-performance network-attached storage (NAS) file

server for exporting data using the NFS protocol.
Mounted on Keysight
• Each server and workstation mounts the NAS-exported Design Data Management
(SOS) server host
NFS volumes. /project/repo/tools

Keysight Design Data

• A primary Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) Management (SOS) server

server host.

• Workstations for processing and displaying

high-end graphics.
VNC NFS export
• Servers for accessing large data on NFS volumes. /tools
/pdk
/project

• Designers log into the workstations using software such as

Exceed or VNC.
Server
farm Mounted on each
workstation & server
farm host
/pdk

Design tools like layout editors render complex graphics with millions /tools
/project/workarea/$user
/project/cache
of polygons. The tool’s responsiveness directly affects user experience.
In addition, shared NAS and NFS drives can create bottlenecks. Local
drives perform well, but they are not a practical solution for most
customers. This is because of the complex logistics of replicating large
volumes of dynamic data across several drives.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 7

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CHAPTER 2

Benefits of Using
the Cloud

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 8

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CHAPTER 2
Benefits of Using
the Cloud
Designing in the cloud comes with several benefits. For small
companies, the cloud provides an ideal work environment that is
easy to deploy and use without having to invest in infrastructure.
For all semiconductor companies — large and small — the cloud
provides a reliable multi-site collaboration platform that you can
scale dynamically around design needs and reduce IT expenditure.
Additional benefits include:
• Dynamic scaling
The cloud is more flexible than bare metal machines because
it can scale easily and with minimal IT support. Design teams
can easily experiment with the number of servers, launch entire
clusters of servers, and scale clusters up and down — uniquely
optimizing each cluster for specific applications and specific
stages of chip development. Whenever you don’t need any
servers, you can shut them down.
• Compute elasticity
With the cloud, you can add additional resources to improve
productivity during peak demand, and scale back down when
demand drops. Dynamically scaling the compute needs to meet
all the design job requirements improves development cycles
and reduces time to market.
Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud
• Faster compute hardware
Semiconductor design companies usually select, configure,
procure, and deploy servers and storage devices with the
expectation that they will last for multiple years. As a result,
performance-critical workloads often wind up running on
outdated hardware devices. This makes it harder for design
teams to work efficiently and meet project deadlines. With
the cloud, enterprises can select, configure, and deploy the
latest hardware.
• Cost efficiency
Larger semiconductor companies typically use multiple data
centers in different geographical locations. This is because of
the distributed nature of design teams. These organizations
typically choose workloads to run in specific locations, or
replicate and synchronize data to enable multiple sites to
handle the load of large-scale, global EDA workflows. While
building data centers, companies must consider several factors
such as data replication, caching, workloads, and license
server management.
Cloud computing reduces or eliminates the need for design
companies to purchase equipment and build out and operate
data centers. This creates opportunities for significant savings
on computing expenses like hardware, facilities, and utilities.
• Disaster recovery
Hosting systems and design data in the cloud can protect your
business from emergencies and downtime. Natural and human-
induced disasters can damage on-premises equipment and
prevent critical IT functions.
Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 9
Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CHAPTER 3

Migrating
Keysight
Design Data
Management
(SOS) Work
Environments
to the Cloud

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 10

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CHAPTER 4

Migrating Keysight
Design Data Management
(SOS) Work Environments
to the Cloud
Deploying your design management in the cloud enables a level of
scalability, availability, and reliability that is difficult to achieve with
on-premises equipment.

The following sections highlight some ways you can use Keysight
Design Data Management (SOS) in the cloud with AWS and
Google Cloud.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 11

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
Migrating the Keysight Design Data Advantages include:

Management (SOS) server to the cloud

• Higher availability for design data.

The following scenario demonstrates how to migrate the Keysight
Design Data Management (SOS) server to the cloud.
This is the simplest scenario and perhaps the easiest and most
economical way to access the design repository.
• Geographically distributed teams can access design repositories
more easily.
• Remote sites maintain access to their designs when using
repositories.
• In the event of a single site failure, other sites can continue
accessing the design repository.

• Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) can scale on demand to

meet different project and data requirements.

All communication to primary

server goes through cache
Symbolic links to
server for enhanced security.
cache work area
reduces disk space.
Keysight Design Data
Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS) server Secure SSL transfer. Management (SOS)
client work area

Repository Cache

VNC NFS export SOSD

PRIMARY
SOSD
CACHE
/tools DAEMON DAEMON
/pdk
/project Cached
Metadata Revisions Metadata Revisions
Primary Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS) server

Server Cache meta-data improves remote

farm Mounted on each
site performance and reduces
workstation & server
WAN usage.
farm host
/pdk Clients can operate in offline
/tools Multi-streaming data
mode when the primary server
/project/workarea/$user transfer
is unavailable.
/project/cache with efficient
bandwidth usage.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 12

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
Deploying the cloud for peak usage

Certain design companies choose to deploy their own compute For example, if you need a 2 TB RAM system for a difficult run, you
servers and data centers, but want to use cloud infrastructure can access it instantly through the cloud without having to wait
whenever there is higher demand for compute power. This strategy for delivery and provisioning. In scenarios such as this, a Keysight
is common during the final stages of a chip simulation or tapeout. Design Data Management (SOS) cache server can be set up with the
cache on shared storage and to auto-synchronize. When the cache
host in the cloud starts up, it will synchronize with the primary on-
premises server and incrementally merge all the changes since the last
synchronization. The amount of time it takes depends on the available
bandwidth and the amount of data that requires synchronizing. You
Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS)
client work area
Google

can create or update the necessary work areas by leveraging the

Cloud

Repository Cache
cache in the cloud. It is also possible to reconfigure cloud virtual
SOSD SOSD
machines or deploy net news to meet peak verification needs. After
PRIMARY CACHE

the demand for peak compute ends, you can transfer the results back
DAEMON DAEMON

Cached

on-premises for analysis and shut down your cloud machines

Metadata Revisions Metadata Revisions
Primary Keysight Design Data
Management (SOS) server

SOSD
to manage costs.
CACHE
DAEMON
Cache

Cache

To set up the cache server in the cloud, you can use software-defined
SOSD
Cached

infrastructure solutions such as Elastifile Cloud File System or Google

Metadata Revisions
CACHE
DAEMON

Metadata
Cached
Revisions Filestore. These types of services, which run as distributed file
Remote site

systems, can ensure optimal performance while accessing Keysight

Design Data Management (SOS) workspaces in the cloud.

During tapeout, IT must activate machines to handle the extra load.

This sometimes requires de-prioritizing other groups in a server
farm. Bursting to the cloud can help avoid this. The cloud also gives
the opportunity to access machines you may not have in house.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 13

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
 Advantages to using this approach:

• Scalability on demand: Use the cloud whenever you need it, then
shut it down to manage costs.

• Auto-sync data: You can auto-sync design data to the latest

version whenever you need to. Alternatively, you can choose
to keep a workspace active on your cache server to ensure the
design data always synchronizes.

• Reduce data transfers: There is no need to transfer data between

the local LAN and cloud. This is because the data is already
available on cloud.

• Protect against downtime: The cloud provides a safety net in the

event that the local servers malfunction. You can easily leverage
cloud infrastructure for compute power.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 14

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
Cloud only

Migrating all of your design management to the cloud means that Mounted on Keysight

the cloud is the data center. This setup is ideal for small enterprises Design Data Management
(SOS) server host
/project/repo/tools
and startups that do not want to purchase and manage IT
GCP instances

infrastructure. The cloud is also a viable alternative for medium

sized companies that deal with heavy processing in EDA workflows.

Keysight Design Data

Companies can host cloud services from major vendors in multiple Management (SOS) server

locations worldwide. These locations consist of regions which are VNC

separate geographic areas around the world, including San Jose,

Google
Bangalore, Ireland, Singapore, and others. Isolating regions from one Cloud

another ensures maximum fault tolerance and stability. Resources

do not replicate across regions unless you configure them to do so.

In this example, you deploy a cache server in each geographic Mounted on each instance
/pdk
GCP FileStore exports:
/tools
/pdk
region, and run the cache on shared network storage. Creating /tools
/project/workarea/$user /project
/project/cache
user work areas on shared storage with links-to-cache can also
help optimize performance and maximize storage. For all practical
purposes it is a typical multi-site setup with the only difference is
that the cloud vendor manages the infrastructure.

Cloud infrastructure is extremely reliable, and it is easy to scale up

or down with minimal IT staff. However, it is critical to shut machines
down to avoid high monthly costs. Small design groups working on
tight schedules can find this investment well worth it if they manage
it carefully.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 15

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
CONCLUSION

Recent advancements in cloud security and performance make it

easier for SoC manufacturers to expand beyond on-premises data
centers. As a result, design teams are increasingly using the cloud to
augment their existing infrastructure during peak times.

The cloud offers greater reliability elasticity, enabling IT departments

to meet peak demands without compromise. With careful
management, it is also possible to lower IT expenses.

Keysight Design Data and IP Management work closely with leading

vendors like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud to enable
seamless usage of Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in
the cloud.

Using Keysight Design Data Management (SOS) in the Cloud | 16

Creating an SoC design environment Benefits of using the cloud Migrating Keysight DDM (SOS) work Conclusion
environments to the cloud
 Keysight enables innovators to push the boundaries of engineering by quickly solving design, emulation, and
test challenges to create the best product experiences. Start your innovation journey at www.keysight.com.

This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2023 – 2023, Published in USA, September 13, 2023, 3123-1666.EN