Installing OptiFDTD

Before installing OptiFDTD, ensure the system requirements described below are
available. Updated on May 27, 2022.

Hardware and Operation System requirements

OptiFDTD requires the following minimum system configuration:

• Windows 10™ or 11™ 64-bit
• Intel or AMD64 multi-core x64 CPU
• 1 GB Diskspace
• 8 GB RAM

OptiFDTD recommends the following system configuration:

• Windows 10™ or 11™ 64-bit
• Intel® Core™ i7 (or higher) Processor
• 32Gb-64Gb RAM

Protection key

A hardware protection key is supplied with the software. To ensure that OptiFDTD
operates properly, verify the following:

•  The protection key is properly connected to the USB port of the computer.
•  If you use more than one protection key, ensure that there is no conflict between the OptiFDTD protection key and the other keys.

Note: Use a switch box to prevent protection key conflicts. Ensure that the cable between the switch box and the computer is a maximum of one meter long.

OptiFDTD directory

By default, the OptiFDTD installer creates an OptiFDTD directory on your hard disk.
The OptiFDTD directory contains the following subdirectories:

•  BIN – contains executable files, dynamic linked libraries, and help files
•  SAMPLES – contains OptiFDTD examples
•  TMP – temporary directory used by OptiFDTD during operation
•  DOC – OptiFDTD support documentation

Installation

• OptiFDTD can be installed on Windows 10™ or 11™ 64-bit
• Linux 64-bit for 3D simulations, Linux enabled versions only (see the Release Notes for more information).
• We recommend that you exit all Windows programs before running the setup program.

Installing OptiFDTD on Windows operating systems

To install OptiFDTD on Windows operating systems, perform the following procedure.