VMM users -- welcome to the OVM!
We've been talking together about the benefits of the OVM -- ecosystem-drive
business value and built-in ability to scale the technical solution -- for
quite a while. While thousands of verification engineers are already
using it, many of you have said "Yes, I see the value, but what about my
VMM legacy?" In the tradition of the OVM, Cadence (see press release here) has provided you
with an open solution at OVMWorld.org!
Now that you have read the press
release, you may have some questions. Here are a few questions we've
heard from customers during the past few months as we developed the migration
package and a few that are likely to be on your mind as you read through all of
the blogs and forum threads on this subject.
What is OVM adoption package and what
does it provide for VMM users?
OVM adoption package
is a library and methodology that allows users to use legacy VMM VIP components
within an OVM testbench. That process does not give the VMM VIP the scalability
and reuse of an OVC (OVM Verification Component), but it does allow the legacy
VMM to be controlled by a system level OVM sequence, and supply data to other
OVCs and VMM components in the testbench.
How does this open source release
provide a proof-of-concept to the Accellera VIP TSC?
Cadence created this
solution during the third quarter of 2008 based on customer and OVM ecosystem
partner requests. Those companies provided additional expert input and
validation of our solution. As a result, we were able to lead the definition
of meaningful requirements in the Accellera VIP TSC (Technical
SubCommittee). The other active committee members worked on those
requirements leading to the interoperability document accepted by the committee
on Wednesday December 3. 2008. The result is the open source and
associated documentation released by Cadence on the OVMworld at http://www.ovmworld.org/contributions-details.php?id=24&keywords=VMM_to_OVM_migration_library.
Is this a proven migration path to OVM?
Yes. The
package was proven to work with VMM users with different application domains.
The package was also reviewed, enhanced and approved by several independent
sources intimately familiar with OVM and VMM.
What resources are
available for Vera and VMM migration to the OVM?
In addition to the
OVM Adoption package on the OVMWorld.org, there are several OVM ecosystem
partners providing Vera and VMM migration services and Cadence is one of
them. We have people experienced with the process, some automation to
help with the process, and several customers who have successfully made the
transition. For additional help and information contact your local
account team or email support@cadence.com with the subject "Vera/VMM
Migration to the OVM".
What is the
relationship between the Cadence and Mentor
announcements made the same day?
Each company has
*many* customers wishing to move from VMM to the OVM while preserving some of
their VIP investment, so each developed a solution independently. Though
similar in spirit, there are some technical differences due to the needs of the
respective customers. In addition, the two companies continue to jointly develop and maintain the OVM with the next release of OVM – OVM 2.0.1 – expected to be available this month.
Why did Mentor and Cadence not
converge on a single solution before release?
There is already an
Accellera TSC with the charter to define interoperability between OVM and VMM,
so setting up a parallel effort would not in the best interests of the
industry. We decided that the most timely and effective way that we could
contribute to Accellera was to make both solutions available immediately as
open source "proofs of concept" and then work with the other TSC
members on standardization.
So, VMM users, does this sound
interesting? What other questions do you have on your mind? Comment
here and we'll answer them or feel free to contact your Cadence support and/or
account representatives.
=Adam Sherilog