Software Guide for CAE Linux Environments

A brief overview of how Linux Software works at CAE as of Fall 2026 and beyond.

There are now (generally) two steps to run your software properly. Some software may require fewer. In your terminal of choice:

  1. module load <mysoftware>/suite where <mysoftware> is a stand-in for the software of your choice.
  2. <mysoftware>-run <example> where <mysoftware> and <example> are the software name and the program to execute. This can be broken into two commands.

Example: You want to run Virtuoso by Cadence. The steps are:

  1. module load cadence/suite (Prepares your "environment")
  2. cadence-run (Enters a container with an interactive shell)
  3. virtuoso (executes the program called 'virtuoso') At this point, a GUI for the program Virtuoso opens.

Software Launch Strategies

There are several ways to launch software.

Many applications are in the apps menu, located near the top left of the screen.

Applications can also be searched via the top left-hand corner activities button, or by pressing the "super key" (Windows button on the keyboard).

From the terminal, all applications can be launched, but require care to use the proper commands (See below).

Module and Containerization

In a terminal: Load the module, launch the container tool, then run your command. Importantly, you MUST run the module command first, as it is not available inside the container.

Software Module Command Container Tool
Cadence module load cadence/suite cadence-run
Synopsys module load synopsys/suite synopsys-run
Keysight module load keysight/suite keysight-run
Mentorgraphics module load mentor/suite mentor-run
Silvaco module load silvaco/suite silvaco-run

For examples or more help with EDA software, see the CAE EDA Quickstart Guide

Containerization (no module)

Software that comes preinstalled in containers simply require launching the container tool.

Software Container Tool
ROS2 ros2-run
OpenMC openmc-run

Module (no container)

These are generally conda environments, loading the module is sufficient to activate the environment.

Software Module Command
Cyclus module load cyclus
Moose Framework module load moose

Native Install (launch the software)

Software installed natively to the system can be launched directly. Icons are sometimes available for these.

Software Terminal Command
GNU Octave octave
Electric VLSI electric

Additional Info and Helpful Links

Module

To know what modules are available, use module avail. To know what modules are loaded, use module list. For more information on modules, see Module Guide for CAE Linux Environments



Keywords:
synopsys cadence ros2 silvaco keysight ads 
Doc ID:
163133
Owned by:
Joe in CAE
Created:
2026-08-06
Updated:
2026-08-31
Sites:
Computer-Aided Engineering