Method for configuring circuits over a data communications link

A method of off-loading work from a computer while placing and routing a circuit, the method comprising:

• on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for the circuit;
• on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file;
• transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link;
• remotely generating, on the second computer, a placed and routed design from the design file;
• and
• transmitting the placed and routed design from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.

A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a device program file representing at least a portion of a programmable integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising:

• on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for a circuit to be implemented in the programmable IC;
• on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file;
• transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link;
• remotely generating, on the second computer, the device program file from the design file;
• and
• transmitting the device program file from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.

A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a schematic symbol for a logic circuit, the method comprising:

• entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit;
• transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link;
• remotely generating, on the second computer, the schematic symbol from the transmitted data;
• and
• transmitting the schematic symbol from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.

A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating an HDL instantiation for a logic circuit, the method comprising:

• entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit;
• transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link;
• remotely generating, on the second computer, the HDL instantiation from the transmitted data;
• and
• transmitting the HDL instantiation from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.