Hello,
Keil support did not reply yet - but am I correct in assuming that RL-ARM is now a part of MDK, and that each user needs to have a RL-ARM license paid for separately in order to be able to use FlashFS/TCPNet etc. (many samples in MDK 4.20 are broken, but the one that I did manage to compile failed to link complaining that my license is insufficient - that did not happen with MDK 4.14 !) ? If so, this is a HUGE expense. If my boss asks for my opinion (and I think he will) - we're going open source!
I can understand what you're saying about the cost. I've had long conversations with our local distributor in the past about Keil's pricing structure and never got anywhere!
I'm still unclear though about what you're seeing. I'm not in a position to try 4.20 yet, so please humor me.
You say:
"...(many samples in MDK 4.20 are broken, but the one that I did manage to compile failed to link complaining that my license is insufficient - that did not happen with MDK 4.14 !) ?
The license your using for those attempted builds - Is it the MDK and RL? or just the MDK?
Our local distributer told us that our RL-ARM license can be shared, and that was always possible. We have many MDK license though. But again - I will strongly advise against using RL-ARM in the future if I am correct. I work for a small company - I don't think it is worth paying for this if you can get it for free (yes, less maintained etc.). I'm not the boss but this is getting out of hand. Open source - cut and dry.
It is now official (talked on the phone with our distributer). Well - you know what I think of it...viva open source!
"Our local distributer told us that our RL-ARM license can be shared, and that was always possible."
I got the reverse information when I did check price for RL-ARM - one license/seat. Same for the source code for the TCP/IP stack - one license/seat.
So we decided to stay away from RL-ARM and the TCP/IP stack. We are doing all we can do stay away from additional Keil costs, and just have the MDK since we want the compiler/debugger/simulator.
Per,
Thanks for your reply. Can you recommend a sound open source networking/FS? I have a few references, but I'd be happy to consider yours as well. I'm going to recommend dumping FlashFS/TCPNet in future products and go open source.
Per, all,
Each MDK-pro seat (thus: tool chain + networking/fs) now costs about 7500 euro! Am I the only one shocked here?! Enough is enough is enough is....enough!
We are not shocked. The Keil tools have a tradition of being excedingly expensive. We have already learned to select target hardware with the outmost care, to avoid needs for further licenses.
Somehow, Keil haven't realized that the amount of code in a project doesn't reflect the size of the budget a company has.
I was told it was one license/developer - allowing the developer could have a maximum of two installs; e.g., a main development machine and a laptop for debugging on site.
The source code for the TCP/IP stack is IMHO stupidly expensive anyway.