> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dragen.illumina.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dragen.illumina.com/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/software-mode-byol.md).

# Software Mode

DRAGEN Software Mode runs DRAGEN on supported x86-64 CPU infrastructure without requiring an FPGA. You can deploy it on an HPC cluster, a Linux server, or a supported cloud instance.

Software Mode is available beginning with DRAGEN v4.6.

## Before you start

Your compute node requires:

| Requirement              | Minimum                                             | Recommended    |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | -------------- |
| Architecture             | x86-64                                              | x86-64         |
| CPU instruction set      | AVX2                                                | AVX2           |
| Available threads        | 16                                                  | 64             |
| Available memory         | 120 GB                                              | 256 GB         |
| Operating system         | RHEL 8 or 9, or a supported compatible distribution | —              |
| File handles (`nofile`)  | 72,000                                              | 72,000 or more |
| User processes (`nproc`) | 65,535                                              | 65,535 or more |

The node requires outbound HTTPS access to `license.dragen.illumina.com` at runtime.

Software Mode does not support all pipelines. For unsupported pipelines, use FPGA Mode. See [Pipelines not supported](/dragen-v4.6/reference/software-mode.md#pipelines-not-supported).

## Set up and run

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

## Install DRAGEN on your node

Open the **DRAGEN - Getting Started** app from the Illumina BioInsight Platform home page, or go to [dragen.illumina.com](https://dragen.illumina.com). Download DRAGEN v4.6 Software Mode in either format, or copy its download link to fetch it directly on your compute node:

* **Self-extracting installer (`.bin`):** extracts DRAGEN to a directory beside the installer.
* **RPM:** installs with your system package manager.

Install DRAGEN on your compute node. See [Obtain and Install](/dragen-v4.6/reference/software-mode.md#obtain-and-install).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Set up licensing

Generate an API key in your Illumina BioInsight Platform domain and make it available on the node. See [DRAGEN API Key Licensing](/dragen-v4.6/reference/licensing/api_key_licensing.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Run

Run `dragen` against your FASTQ files. See [Enable Software Mode](/dragen-v4.6/reference/software-mode.md#enable-software-mode) for a complete example command.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Confirm success

DRAGEN exits with code 0 on success and writes output files to the directory you specified. Check that `<prefix>.hard-filtered.vcf.gz` and `<prefix>.metrics.json` are present in the output directory.

## What a run costs

Software Mode runs use an Illumina BioInsight Platform API key and consume BioInsight Credits. Compute, storage, and data-transfer costs are separate and depend on your infrastructure.

See [DRAGEN Pricing and Licensing](/dragen-v4.6/reference/licensing.md).

## Next steps

* Read the full deployment reference in [DRAGEN Software Mode](/dragen-v4.6/reference/software-mode.md).

For help, see [Support](/dragen-v4.6/reference/technical-assistance.md).


---

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