Before using SignalTap II, you only need to start Analysis & elaboration (SOC) (SignalTap II)

Abstract
Generally, when we use SignalTap II, we perform two failover operations on Quartus II. In fact, we only need to perform one failover operation once.

Introduction
In the paper of SignalTap II with OpenGL, we teach you to perform a failover on Quartus II before adding sigaltap II to the node, and then perform another failover after adding the node, however, you and I know that Quartus II has been around for a long time, and it takes only one time to renew the database.

In using SignalTap II embedded logic analyzers in systems, this paper's P.5 contains the following:

Before you can connect the Ela to signals in your design , You must first compile the design to build the node database. For this step , You do not need to fit the design completely. The start & Analysis & elaboration command builds the node database , But stops before the fitting step.

That is to say,Before adding SignalTap II to a node, you only need to know which nodes are available. You do not need to perform fitter or worker operations, so you do not need to perform "Start compilation 』, you only need to perform "Start Analysis & elaboration "., After adding the node, and then "Start compilation", this can reduce the time required to renew the operation.

See also
(Original) How to Use SignalTap II to check Reg and wire values? (SOC) (OpenGL) (Quartus II) (SignalTap II)

Reference
SignalTap II with OpenGL Designs
Using SignalTap II embedded logic analyzers in FPGA Builder systems