# Install Cloud AI SDKs The Cloud AI SDKs (Platform SDK and Apps SDK) are targeted for Linux-based platforms. Containers and orchestration are also supported through Docker and Kubernetes. This section covers: - Installation of the SDKs across multiple Linux distributions - Building a Docker image with the SDKs and third-party packages for a seamless execution of QAic inference tools/workflow ## Platform SDK - The downloaded Platform SDK file is named **aic\_platform.Core.<majorversion.minorversion.patchversion.buildversion>.Linux-AnyCPU.zip**. For example: `aic\_platform.Core.1.20.2.0.Linux-AnyCPU.zip`. - On the host machine, log in as root or use `sudo` to have the right permissions to complete installation - Copy the Platform SDK downloaded from the Qualcomm Portal to the host machine - Log in to the host machine (ssh or local terminal) - Unzip the downloaded zip file to a working directory - `cd` to the working directory Note The Platform SDK contains collaterals for x86-rpm, x86-deb, aarch64-rpm and aarch64-deb. Confirm the architecture and linux package format that works for your setup. The Platform SDK (qaic-platform-sdk-``) is composed of the following tree structure. ├── aarch64 │ ├── deb │ │ ├── deb │ │ ├── deb-docker │ │ ├── deb-perf │ │ └── Workload │ ├── rpm │ │ ├── rpm │ │ ├── rpm-docker │ │ ├── rpm-perf │ │ └── Workload │ └── test_suite │ ├── pcietool │ └── powerstress ├── common │ ├── qaic-test-data │ └── sectools └── x86_64 ├── deb │ ├── deb │ ├── deb-docker │ └── Workload ├── rpm │ ├── rpm │ ├── rpm-docker │ └── Workload └── test_suite ├── pcietool └── powerstress Copy to clipboard Uninstall existing Platform SDK cd / sudo ./uninstall.sh sync Copy to clipboard Run the install.sh script as root or with sudo to install with superuser permissions. Installation may take up to 30 mins depending on the number of Cloud AI cards in the server/VM. Cloud AI cards undergo resets several times during the installation. Upgrading to SDK 1.20 is a 2-step process: - In the first step we need to prepare each SoC to accept the 1.20 SBL bootloader firmware - In the second step we upgrade to the 1.20 SBL bootloader firmware For Hybrid boot cards (PCIe CEM form factor cards), run: cd / sudo ./install.sh --no_auto_upgrade_sbl # For VM on ESXi hypervisor, also add the --datapath_polling option sudo ./install.sh --ecc enable # Allow server to initialize all devices sleep 10 # List QIDs in the system sudo /opt/qti-aic/tools/qaic-util -q | grep -e QID # Update SoC, repeat for all QIDs in the system. sudo /opt/qti-aic/tools/qaic-firmware-updater -d -f # Reset cards. sudo /opt/qti-aic/tools/qaic-util -s Copy to clipboard To check qmonitor service is active or inactive - use the below command sudo systemctl is-active qmonitor-proxy Copy to clipboard In case you need to stop and start Qmonitor server, please use below commands. sudo /opt/qti-aic/scripts/qaic-monitor-service.sh stop sudo /opt/qti-aic/scripts/qaic-monitor-service.sh start Copy to clipboard For Flashless boot cards (less common), run: sudo ./install.sh --ecc enable # For VM on ESXi hypervisor, run sudo ./install.sh --datapath_polling --ecc enable Copy to clipboard To enable mdp, disable acs, increase the mmap limit & ulimit value, use `--setup_mdp all` option. sudo ./install.sh --setup_mdp all Copy to clipboard On successful installation of the platform SDK, the contents shown below are stored in /opt/qti-aic: config dev examples exec firmware lib services test-data tools versions Copy to clipboard Check Platform SDK version using sudo /opt/qti-aic/tools/qaic-version-util --platform Copy to clipboard Add user to the qaic group to allow command-line tools to run without sudo: sudo usermod -a -G qaic $USER Copy to clipboard ### Verify card operation Refer to [Verify Card Operation](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-99100-3/topic/index_checklist.html#reference-to-checklist) ## Apps SDK - The downloaded Apps SDK file is named **aic\_apps.Core.<majorversion.minorversion.patchversion.buildversion>.Linux-AnyCPU.zip**. For example: `aic_apps.Core.1.20.2.0.Linux-AnyCPU.zip.` - Copy the SDK over to the linux host machine. - Unzip the downloaded file. Note The Apps SDK contains collaterals for AArch64 and x86-64. Confirm the architecture and linux package format that works for your setup. - The Apps SDK (qaic-apps-``) is composed of the following tree structure. ├── aarch64 │ ├── deb │ │ ├── dev │ │ │ ├── hexagon_tools │ │ │ └── lib │ │ ├── exec │ │ | ├── qaic-exec │ │ | └── qaic-opstats │ │ ├── qaic-encrypt │ │ | ├── qaic_verify_attestation │ │ | └── qwes_certs │ │ ├── scripts │ │ | └── qaic-model-configurator │ │ ├── tools │ │ | ├── custom-ops │ │ | └── smart-nms │ │ └── versions ├── common │ ├── dev │ | ├── inc │ | ├── lib │ | └── python │ ├── examples │ | ├── apps │ | └── scripts │ ├── integrations │ | ├── kserve │ | ├── qaic_onnxrt │ | ├── tgi │ | ├── triton │ | └── vllm │ ├── scripts │ | └── qaic-prepare-model │ ├── tools │ | ├── aic-manager │ | ├── docker-build │ | ├── graph-analysis-engine │ | ├── k8s-device-plugin │ | ├── opstats-profiling │ | ├── package-generator │ | ├── qaic-inference-optimizer │ | ├── qaic-pytools │ | ├── rcnn-exporter │ | └── qaic-version-util ├── x86_64 │ ├── deb │ | ├── dev │ | ├── exec │ | ├── qaic-encrypt │ | ├── scripts │ | ├── tools │ | └── versions │ ├── rpm │ | ├── dev │ | ├── exec │ | ├── qaic-encrypt │ | ├── scripts │ | ├── tools │ | └── versions Copy to clipboard ### Install Apps SDK #### Uninstall existing Apps SDK sudo ./uninstall.sh Copy to clipboard #### Run install script Run the install.sh script as root or with sudo to install with root permissions. If `qaic-pytools` are required then skip this and continue with next step. sudo ./install.sh Copy to clipboard To enable `qaic-pytools` as part of Apps SDK instalation. - qaic-pytools is supported with python3.10 - Install the required packages, `Debian-based Systems`: cmake version: - cmake (cmake 3.25 or above is needd) Build-essentials (which ensures g++ and make installation) sudo apt install build-essentials -y sudo apt install cmake -y python3.10-dev and python3-dev Copy to clipboard `RPM-based Systems`: cmake version: - cmake (cmake 3.25 or above is needed). Development tools (installable via the @development-tools group) to ensure g++ and make installation. sudo groupinstall "Development Tools" -y sudo cmake -y python3.10-devel and python3-devel Copy to clipboard Note: On AL2 default cmake version is 2.8 which is very old and not compatible to install qaic-pytools, please ensure to install cmake <= 3.25, post installation , please ensure that this is set as default cmake. - Run the install.sh script with `--enable-qaic-pytools` flag sudo ./install.sh --enable-qaic-pytools Copy to clipboard #### Verify installation On successful installation of the Apps SDK, the contents are stored to the /opt/qti-aic path under the dev and exec directories: `dev exec integrations scripts` #### Check the Apps SDK version Check the Apps SDK version with the following command - :: - cat /opt/qti-aic/versions/apps.xml #### Apply chmod commands sudo chmod a+x /opt/qti-aic/dev/hexagon_tools/bin/* sudo chmod a+x /opt/qti-aic/exec/* Copy to clipboard Last Published: May 01, 2026 [Previous Topic Download the Platform and Apps SDKs](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-99100-3/topics/download-sdks.md) [Next Topic Containers](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-99100-3/topics/index_Docker.md)